By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | Junior wide receiver Jerry McClure runs with the ball while wearing his former No. 15 during the Spring Game on April 18. McClure has since switched to No. 2. Photo by Max Garcia (@maxgarci09) – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State will enter 2026 with the lowest returning production rate in college football. The limited number of returners creates a sense of unpredictability and raises new storylines for the upcoming season.
Quarterback usage
SJSU has announced senior Luke Weaver as the starting quarterback after an offseason of competition with freshman Daniel Rolovich and redshirt freshman Robert McDaniel.
Given the way SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann has handled the quarterback position during his tenure, it is not an unreasonable assumption that more than one quarterback could play at some point this season.
Four quarterbacks have started during Stutzmann’s two-year stint, usually being replaced due to injuries or turnover issues. However, the SJSU offense has been most successful when there is consistency at that position.
Taking advantage of weaker opponents
Last season, SJSU lost four games in which it was favored. Closing out games against weaker opponents will almost certainly be a necessity for the Spartans’ bowl game aspirations.
An important stretch for SJSU will be from Weeks 6-9, when SJSU plays the University of Wyoming at home, then goes on the road to face the University of Texas at El Paso and the University of Nevada, Reno.
According to ESPN’s projections, these teams are expected to be worse than or around the same as the Spartans.
SJSU will also need to find answers for less -talented teams with run-attack strengths, such as Northern Illinois University, Eastern Michigan University and the Air Force Academy. Last season, the Spartans struggled to stop teams with this approach.
Who steps up at wide receiver?
After having the nation’s leader in receiving yards back-to-back seasons, SJSU’s offense will need a spark at wide receiver.
The Spartans’ wide receiver room recruited unproven players out of highly touted schools but struggled to move up the depth chart.
This includes receivers like Jerry McClure from San Diego State University, Anthony Ivey from The Pennsylvania State University and Dominique McKenzie from Brigham Young University.
The Spartans also added freshman Carson Clark and will return redshirt junior veteran receiver Cooper Hoch. The duo has been highly regarded during the offseason program.
Unlike the past couple of years, the Spartans may use depth at the position instead of a dominant trio.
“Our training camp has been great for us as a collective group, we’re very physical, relentless, and fast,” Hoch said. “We’re very deep as a wide receiver room, and that’s good for us. We’re all building confidence from each other.”
Secondary forcing turnovers
The Spartans had the No. 10-ranked passing defense in the Mountain West last season, allowing 245.3 passing yards per game while being last in the conference with 7 interceptions.
The secondary has been revamped, with just five returners. Along with adding safeties coach Joe Dale and cornerbacks coach Brian Norwood, both of whom bring extensive college experience.
The Spartans most notably recruited redshirt sophomore cornerback Isaiah Buxton from San Diego State University, with nine appearances and one start for the Mountain West’s best secondary.
The Spartans also added FCS safety additions in senior Brian Dukes Jr. and sophomore Pierce Walker. They also have sophomore Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa, who changed positions from wide receiver to safety during the offseason.
“We expect to dominate, lead the conference in takeaways this year, and take the ball out of the air whenever we get the opportunity and make sure we’re secure back there,” Dukes said. “We want to play fast and physical, no missed assignments; we’re communicating, making sure everyone’s in the right spot.”
Special teams
Last season, SJSU lost four games by one score, with former starting kicker Denis Lynch going 8-for-16 on field goals.
The team urgently addressed the special teams woes by hiring Fred Guidici, who’s in his third stint with SJSU and coached the Spartans to lead the nation in blocked kicks in 2013.
SJSU’s first signing from the transfer portal was junior kicker Trajan Sinatra from Idaho State, who went 18-for-22 on field goals. He has notably had a standout offseason program with the Spartans.
SJSU brought back senior punter Trent Carrizosa, who was named Phil Steele Preseason Mountain West Second-Team Punter.
SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo also announced that Ivey will be the team’s punt returner, while McKenzie will handle kickoff returns. The unit has been revamped at every level.
