Anxious to get started and seeking a head start, San Jose State University begins its 2020 spring football practice, Monday, March 2, on the practice field north of CEFCU Stadium at 10:00 a.m.
The energy from hoisting the Valley Trophy in the regular season finale against Fresno State and winning games on the road at Army West Point and earning the Football Writers Association of America Reveal Suits National Team of the Week for the Arkansas victory still lingers over the program and throughout the department, on campus and with friends, followers, and supporters of the program.
THE PRESENT CAN DEFINE THE FUTURE
But, it is time to look ahead and San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan, who agreed to a contract extension with the university through 2024, has a jump in his step with 14 returning starters among 54 letter winners, a relatively high number for a San Jose State team in spring football. Then, there are 25 redshirts, five more with at least one spring practice in Spartan apparel, and several in their first San Jose State spring practice.
The wide receiver crew and the safeties are among the most experienced and productive units at San Jose State. Returning starters Tre Walker, a 2019 first-team All-Mountain West honoree, Bailey Gaither and Isaiah Hamilton accounted for 174 pass receptions, 2,691 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ten of the 12 players catching a touchdown pass are back for the 2020 season.
Safeties Tre Webb and Jay Lenard are a pair of three-year starters. With some eager players behind them, the coaching staff moved Bobby Brown, II, second on the 2019 team with three interceptions, from safety to a cornerback role for 2020 spring practice. Returning starting cornerback Nehemiah Shelton is capable creating one of the most experienced secondary units in several years.
COMPETITION AT EVERY POSITION
Opposite the projection for an experienced secondary is a crowded quarterback room with graduate transfer Nick Starkel, the only one with more than 200 snaps at the major college level. Nick Nash and Chance La Chapelle have played for San Jose state during the last two seasons. Redshirts Jake Simmons, Alec Trujillo, and Matt Der Torossian, and first-time freshman Natano Woods plan to make a positive impression this spring and the decision to replace 2020 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Josh Love a difficult one.
The quarterbacks will have an offensive line with returning starters Jackson Snyder, a left tackle, center Kyle Hoppe, and right guard Tyler Stevens. Versatile Jesse Chamberlain and sophomore Jamie Navarro also have starts in the San Jose State offensive line.
Kairee Robinson, who started three games as a freshman, Tyler Nevens, the one senior among the running backs, and others aim to boost a running game that had only one 100-plus yard rushisng game a year ago.
Along with tight ends Derrick Deese, Jr., and Billy Humphreys, two seniors, and freshmen Dominic Mazotti and Jackson Canaan, the Spartans want to create as much havoc as possible for opposing defenses.
For devoted followers of the program, defensive lineman Cade Hall is heading into his junior season as the 2019 team leader in tackles for loss. There are 11 defensive linemen ready to place a hand in the ground and spring into action.
Kyle Harmon, Tysyn Parker, Rico Tolefree and Hadari Darden each started at least three games as a linebacker in 2019. An air of intrigue hovers over UCLA transfer Rahyme Johnson and how much he is capable of making the linebacker corps reliable and effective.
Two of the reliable assets of the 2019 Spartans were the snapping of Andrew Gonneville and kicker Matt Mercurio, the team's scoring leader with 97 points. Chris Wood, who handled most of the kickoff duties wants to add the punting job. Freshman Elijah Fischer hopes to have a say in who is taking over as punter.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
There's no need to punt away any of San Jose State's 15 spring practice sessions since all of them are open to the public.
Monday and Wednesday morning practices are scheduled for the practice field. Friday night and Saturday spring practice sessions are in CEFCU Stadium, Home of the Spartans.
Season ticket renewals and new purchases for the 2020 San José State football season can be made by calling or by texting RENEW or NEW to (408) 924-7589.