SAN JOSE, Calif. - San José State football continues to capture national attention heading into the upcoming season, with 10 Spartans earning spots on the prestigious 2026 Preseason Athlon Sports Mountain West All-Conference Team. The selections highlight the depth and talent across the roster, spanning explosive offensive playmakers, trench anchors, and standout defensive and special teams weapons.
Leading the charge for the Spartans are a pair of premier defensive and special teams anchors, with linebacker Ethan Powell and punter Trent Carrizosa capturing second-team recognition.
The Spartans' strong offensive foundation and defensive grit earned five players a spot on the third team. This group includes running back Jabari Bates, wide receiver Jerry McClure, offensive linemen Joseph Harbert and Tyler Chen, and linebacker Naseri Danielson.
Rounding out the national recognition, three standout Spartans picked up fourth-team accolades, including wide receiver Malachi Riley, defensive lineman Justin Stearns, and safety Brian Dukes, Jr.
Ethan Powell, LB, Sr-R., San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon HS
- Finished 2025 season with 37 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup
- His 26 unassisted tackles were a career-high in 2025
- Five tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss at Nevada (11/15/25)
Trent Carrizosa, P, Sr-R., San Jose, Calif./Del Mar HS/Colorado
- Named to Ray's Eight for Week Two (2025)
- Finished 2025 with 39 punts for 1,777 yards with a long of 68 yards and an average of 45.6 yards with a career-high 14 inside the 20
- His 39 punts in 2025 were the fewest in the Mountain West Conference
Jabari Bates, RB, Sr-R., Compton, Calif./St. John Bosco HS
- Only played in four games due to injury, but averaged a career-high 7.1 yards per carry
- Had 27 carries for 192 yards and a career-high two touchdowns
- Career-high 131 yards rushing on 11 carries with career-best 87-yard touchdown run vs. Idaho (09/20/25)
Tyler Chen, OL, Jr-R., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga HS/Utah Tech/Weber State
- Eight starts in 11 games played in 2025
- Played right guard, left tackle, and right tackle in 2025
- Part of an offensive line that was ninth in the country and third in the MW, only letting up 12 sacks in 2024
Joseph Harbert, OL, Sr-R., San Francisco, Calif./Riordan HS
- Started all 12 games in 2025
- Started at center in the first eight games of 2025
- Part of an offensive line that was ninth in the country and third in the MW, only letting up 12 sacks in 2024
Jerry McClure, WR, Jr-R., Coronado, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic HS/UCLA/San Diego State
- Transferred from San Diego State before the 2026 season
- Played in 12 games with one reception for eight yards at SDSU in 2025
- Appeared in three games in his first season with the Aztecs in 2024
Naseri Danielson, LB, Jr-R., Stockton, Calif./St. Mary's HS/BYU
- Played in all 12 games, mainly on special teams in 2025
- Finished 20245 with career-high 13 tackles
- Had career-high four tackles at Washington St. (9/20/24)
Malachi Riley, WR, Jr-R., Moreno Valley, Calif./Centennial HS/Arizona
- Had two catches for 10 yards before suffering a season-ending injury in the first half of the first game against Central Michigan (08/29/25)
- Appeared in three games during an injury-shortened season in 2024 at Arizona
- Made one catch for seven yards against New Mexico (08/31/24)
Brian Dukes, Jr., S, Sr-R., Spring Valley, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic HS/Cal Poly
- Transferred from Cal Poly before the 2026 season
- Played in four games and had 15 tackles with two interceptions at Cal Poly in 2025
- Played in all 11 games with a total of 51 tackles, 34 solo and 17 assisted at Cal Poly in 2024
Justin Stearns, DL, Sr-R., San Diego, Calif./St. Augustine HS
- Finished 2025 season with 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks in 12 games played
- Had two tackles with a half sack and half tackle for loss vs. Fresno St. (11/29/25)
- Had four tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss at Nevada (11/15/25)
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