Fall Previews: San Jose State

San Jose State:

Head Coach: Rod Caragher
2014 Record: (3-9, 2-6 MWC)
Basic Offense: Multiple
Basic Defense: 4-3
Starters Returning: 16 (8 Off., 6 Def., 2 Spec.)
Starters Lost: 6 (1 Off., 5 Def., 0 Spec.)

Offense:

Coming off of a 3-9 season in 2014, San Jose State has a lot to do on the offensive side of the ball but nothing is more pressing than the need to name a starter at quarterback. After heading into camp with three co-starters at signal caller, the Spartans have narrowed the list to 2014 starter Joe Gray (210-330/2,305/11TD) and JUCO transfer Kenny Potter. Gray has the most experience as a starter but Potter has the ability to be a threat on the ground or in the air with over 4,000 yards passing at the JUCO level. Gray has to be the favorite but it is too early to count Potter out with this battle possibly continuing until week one.

Tyler Ervin

The Spartans tried out just about everyone last season at running back with senior Tyler Ervin (158/888/4TD) making the biggest splash in the backfield. The senior made eight starts and also made 26 catches as well as returning punts and kickoffs. Sophomore Thomas Tucker (23/83/0TD) is the backup and will need to be ready for more carries this fall. Shane Smith (1/1/0TD) is the blocking back for Ervin and company but also has the ability to make catches out of the backfield as well. His 6-2, 238 pound frame can deal punishment while still agile enough to make defenders miss. Junior Chris Dadson (6/14/0TD) will also see playing time as the backup fullback. Brandon Monroe (39/168/1TD) and Jarrod Lawson (47/155/0TD) should also earn playing time this fall.

The Spartans lost a good tight end in Andrew Vollert to a transfer in the off season but return a talented player in junior Billy Freeman (19/182/1TD). The 6-3, 232 pound tight end only played in seven games last season and could easily break the 30 catch mark this fall. Fellow junior Brad Kuh was a part time starter at linebacker last fall but makes the move to tight end and should bring a new level of physicality that was missing in the past. JUCO transfer LeVander Moore is also working his way into the discussion at the tight end position.

Tyler Winston

2015 will definitely be a season of player stepping up at wide receiver for San Jose State by force if not anything else. The Spartans return starts at both receiver positions but do not have a ton of experience after the starting duo. Tyler Winston (78/694/5TD) was a 2nd team All-MWC selection in 2014 and is the team's leading receiver by 39 catches from last season's returnees. Redshirt freshman Justin Holmes is currently the backup after sitting out the 2014 season as a redshirt. At the other wide receiver slot is senior Hansell Wilson (39/417/3TD). The 5-9, 183 pound receiver was very good with the short routes and is an important senior leader for the Spartans. Junior Tim Crawley (35/420/1TD) is Wilson's backup but his versatility to play several positions makes him one of the most important players on the team. Crawley was a wide receiver, running back, and kick returner with 32 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown as well as two punt returns and a 22.3 kickoff return average. Chris Kearney (6/56/0TD) and Jourdan Soares (2/55/0TD) are the only other wide receivers with catches last fall.

Wes Schweitzer

The Spartans have lots of experience returning on the offensive line led by senior left tackle Wes Schweitzer (25 career starts). The senior was a very important leader with three freshmen starting on the line last fall and should be able to focus more on his own play with a more experienced group around him. Junior Kyle Wright redshirted in 2014 after making the jump from the JUCO level and should be a competent backup. Moving inside, left guard Jeremiah Kolone (10 career starts) played and started in every game in 2014 that he was healthy. The 6-3, 285 pound guard should be a solid anchor next to Schweitzer. True freshman Troy Kowalski is currently listed as the backup. In the middle is a bit of worry as sophomore Keoni Taylor makes the move to the starting lineup after seeing action on special team and in few offensive situations as a freshman. Junior Nick Diaz is the backup but has only appeared in one game in his Spartan career. Right guard is a bit of question with sophomore Chris Gonzalez making the move from tight end to guard. His transition will be key to San Jose State's success on offense. Redshirt freshman Charles Nelson is the backup. Right tackle may prove to be the deepest spot on the team with two 12 game starters vying for the starting job. Sophomore Nate Velichko (12 career starts) is currently listed as  the starter after being moved to tackle from his starting right guard position. Junior Evan Sarver (12 career starts) was the full time starter at tackle last fall and will battle with Velichko for the starting role.

Defense:

Heading into the 2015 season, the Spartans defensive line has all of two players that are guaranteed starters unless injury occurs. Defensive end Cedric Lousi (29 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 sack) is the leading returning tackler on the defensive line and should be able to see more playing time after participating as a part time starter last fall. Senior Christian Hill (6 tkl) will be the backup. At one defensive tackle slot is senior and seven game starter Tony Popovich (23 tkl, 4 tfl, 2 sacks). The undersized defensive tackle was able to be a disruptive force with four tackles for loss and two sacks from inside. Sophomore Travis Miller (1 tkl) is the understudy and will see more time this fall than in 2014. At the other defensive tackle spot, juniors Keenan Sykes (4 tkl) and Loni Fa are listed as co-starters. Fa is the heaviest defensive lineman on the team and should be able to demand double teams this fall but Sykes has more experience in game action. The battle is very even and either could end up with the starting role. A pair of juniors also are in contention for the vacant defensive end spot with Eugene Taylor (12 tkl) and Isaiah Irving (17 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack) battling for the opening. Irving has seen most of his time at linebacker but can play defensive line as well. Both are 6-3, 230 something pound players that must use their athletic ability to rush the passer and hold up to the offensive lines of the MWC.

Christian Tago

The Spartans have a serious lack of depth at linebacker heading into the 2015 season with only junior Christian Tago (96 tkl, 5 tfl) and sophomore William Ossai (23 tkl, 2.5 tfl) having any starting experience. Tago, a 2014 All-MWC honorable mention award winner, will hold down a starting role with true freshman Frank Ginda earning the backup role after joining the team in the spring. Ossai will hold down another starting job with junior San Diego transfer Alex Manigo backing him up. Former Hawaii transfer Jared Leaf will occupy the final starting slot for the Spartans. Leaf was scheduled to start in 2014 but missed the season after sufferning burns in an apartment fire. The senior should be a welcome addition to the San Jose State defense. Junior Mark Amann was redshirted in 2014 after joining from the JUCO ranks and will be expected to work into the defensive rotation.

Cleveland Wallace III

The Spartans have the most experience heading into the 2015 season on defense in the secondary with three seniors and a junior projected to start. At one cornerback spot, senior Jimmy Pruitt (37 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 INT, 7 pbu) returns after a 2014 season that ended in a Honorable mention All-MWC selection. Junior Dominic Barnes (4 tkl) will see time as the backup.  At the other cornerback spot, junior Cleveland Wallace III (26 tkl, 1 INT, 14 pbu) returns after a 2nd team All-MWC selection in 2014. Wallace was excellent in the passing game and could easily end up with 5-6 interceptions this fall. Sophomore Andre Chachere (1 tkl) is his understudy.  At one safety spot is six game starter Maurice McKnight (66 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 1 sack, 1 INT, 5 pbu). The senior was the most active tackler and is the best run stopper among the secondary. Redshirt freshman Chad Miller is his backup. The free safety spot is up for grabs with senior Vincenté Miles, Jr. and redshirt freshman David Williams battle for the starting spot. That positional battle is one to watch in fall camp.

Special Teams: 

Senior place kicker Austin Lopez is back this fall after a busy season that included 24 field goal attempts. Lopez was 12-24 on field goal attempts with a long of 50 yards, 27-27 on PAT attempts, with 45 kickoffs and 18 touchbacks. Freshman Bryce Crawford is the backup and could push for playing time. Punter Michael Carrizosa is a sophomore this fall and made 43 punts for a 37.1 yards per punt average, a long of 52, and six landing inside the opponent 20 yard line.

Overall:

2015 will see a better overall San Jose State team on the field than in 2014 but that schedule is tough with not many chances to earn many wins. The first win of the season should come in the season opener with New Hampshire coming cross country to faces the Spartans. After the season opening win, reality kicks in with trips to Air Force, Oregon State and Auburn with a home game versus Fresno State slipping in there. If the Spartans win even one of those four games, it would be a season changer and incredible momentum boost.

At 1-4, San Jose State should be a better team than UNLV and get win two on the season while improving their conference record to 1-2 on the year. A tough visit from a talented San Diego State squad will be a tall challenge the Spartans are not yet ready for but they should be able to bounce back with a coin flip win over New Mexico to get to 3-5 with four games left on the schedule.

Losses versus BYU and Nevada take San Jose State out of a possible bowl berth but a win over Hawaii gets San Jose State to 4-7 and a final 4-8 with a loss to Boise State in the finale. Prediction: 4-8.