By Kellen Concentine— Staff Writer
If you’ve been paying attention, you’d agree: 2019 was hands down the best season for the San Jose State football program in the last five years. The Spartans went 5-7 (2-6 MW) with a few huge wins, with the biggest being a 31-24 stunner over Arkansas in September.
A majority of the team’s success can be credited to senior quarterback Josh Love. Love finished the year just shy of 4,000 passing yards. He found the endzone 25 times while only throwing eight interceptions.
He didn’t do it alone. The Spartans’ receiving core was one of the best in the Mountain West. Tre Walker, Bailey Gaither and Isaiah Hamilton had a combined 2,691 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
“Baliey’s game, and also Tre Walker, they both open up holes for me because their such great players on the outside,” Hamilton said. “The defense focuses on them a lot so they open up a lot for me. It’s a blessing to be able to play with both of them.”
Defensively, senior Ethan Aguayo was the playmaker. He recorded 102 total tackles, two sacks and an interception at the middle linebacker position.
Even though SJSU improved immensely after back-to-back 11 loss seasons, the question for the Spartans is ‘What’s next?’
The offensive and defensive captains, Love and Aguayo, are just two of the 18 seniors on this team.
Many of the seniors’ play on the field will be missed, and someone needs to step up.
And that someone could already be on the team.
Several freshmen on this roster made a major impact on the season, recording 13 total touchdowns in 2019.
Quarterback Nick Nash was leading the team in rushing as a backup before he was injured. Rushing for 255 and throwing for 133 yards, Nash is looking like the favorite to replace Love.
“Before the season I didn’t really know what my role on the team would be,” Nash said. “So coming from the beginning of the season to now, I’m super excited at what I’ve done. It’s just really fun out there being a freshman and being able to get opportunities to play.”
Kairee Robinson, a freshman running back, had a breakout performance in the San Diego State loss. He got 14 carries for 59 yards and a receiving touchdown. Hamilton made a fantastic one-handed helmet catch during the game, stepping up big in a big game.
“Being able to make a play for my team, that’s exciting,” Robinson said.
Right guard Tyler Stevens was the only freshman starting for the Spartans on the O-line. Stevens was apart of a group that established the passing game. SJSU only gave up 14 sacks this season, an improvement from last year’s 39.
Defensively, transfers are going to help fill the void. Rahyme Johnson, a former four-star recruit for UCLA, is going to be an impact edge rusher for the Spartans in 2020. He’s 6-foot-4, 230 lbs. and runs a 2.74 40-yard-dash. Impressive, to say the least.
San Jose State will be losing a lot of good players, as they do every year. But do not be surprised if you see several sophomores rise to the occasion in the 2020 season. 2019 was just a glimpse of what’s to come.
Follow Kellen on Twitter @KC_Journalism