San Diego State Aztecs College Football Preview 2021: Top Players
Best San Diego State Aztecs Offensive Player
OT Zachary Thomas, Sr.
The hope will be for one of the quarterback options to rise up and be a star, and there’s a shot RB Greg Bell or TE Daniel Bellinger becomes the team’s best player, but it starts on the line with a good veteran tackle to work around.
Hurt early in his career, the 6-5, 300-pound Thomas has been able to work his way back to go from a promising guard to a good right tackle to likely an all-star left tackle this season.
2. RB Greg Bell, Sr.
3. TE Daniel Bellinger, Sr.
4. WR Jesse Matthews, Jr.
5. PK Matt Araiza, Jr.
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Best San Diego State Aztecs Defensive Player
LB Caden McDonald, Sr.
The Aztec defense has been defensive back-based for the most part, but the linebackers make their impacts, too. Corner Taylor Hawkins and safety Trenton Thompson will each be all-stars, and the entire starting front three will probably be on the All-Mountain West team, but it’s McDonald who should be the quarterback of it all in his third year in the starting mix.
The 6-3, 235-pounder brings much-needed size, decent pop, and he was the team’s best player at getting into the backfield with a team-high 4.5 sacks and ten tackles for loss.
2. DE Cameron Thomas, Jr.
3. CB Tayler Hawkins, Sr.
4. DT Jonah Tavai, Sr.
5. DE Keshawn Banks, Sr.
Top Incoming San Diego State Aztecs Transfer
QB Jalen Mayden, Soph.
The Aztecs have veteran quarterbacks in place to choose from, but Mayden brings a set of all-around skills to potentially take the position to another level.
The 6-3, 225-pounder didn’t get a whole lot of work at Mississippi State – he threw a few passes and ran for 32 yards in 2018, redshirted in 2019, and didn’t do anything last year – but he’s got the size, mobility and arm to be exactly wha the O needs.
– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– San Diego State Schedule