Defensive line
Defensive End
Viliami Fehoko, Soph.
Christian Johnson, Sr.
Nose Tackle
Jay Kakiva, Jr.
Josh Gomez, RS Fr.
Defensive Tackle
Cade Hall, Jr.
E.J. Ane, Jr.
A unit that’s skewed very young and taken some lumps in the last couple years could start taking a big step forward this spring. Replacing Sailosi Latu in the middle will be tough, especially with Demanuel Talauati and Terrell Townsend in the transfer portal, as well, but Kakiva, the team’s highest-rated 2020 recruit according to 247 Sports, could give this unit an immediate shot in the arm with a massive physical presence of his own. Expect a number of guys, whether Gomez or Jamaar Hardy or Duane Tuitasi, to get every opportunity to starting winning a role in the rotation.
Linebacker
Rahyme Johnson, Jr.
Michael Pryor, Soph.
Kyle Harmon, Jr.
Jordan Cobbs, Soph.
Tysyn Parker, Sr.
Isa’ako Togia, Jr.
Rico Tolefree, Jr.
Hadari Darden, Sr.
Ethan Aguayo and Jesse Osuna were productive when available, so replacing them won’t be easy. Luckily, the Spartans have some options: Parker has spent time as a starter inside over the last three seasons, while Johnson was a former four-star recruit who sat out 2019 after transferring from UCLA.
Cornerback
Nehemiah Shelton, Jr.
Johnny Balderas, Jr.
Tre White, Jr.
Malik Welch, Jr.
There’s a lot of potential for shakeups in this unit because, as elsewhere on the defense, transfers could figure heavily in the mix. Kenyon Reed arrives from Kansas State, for one, while Welch comes from Long Beach Community College. It’s rarely been about just one standout in recent years, though, so building up the typical level of depth will take time.
Safety
Free Safety
Tre Webb, Sr.
Jalend Dinwiddie, Jr.
Strong Safety
Jay Lenard, Sr.
Bobby Brown II, Sr.
After starting every game last fall, seasoned vets Webb and Lenard are back along with Brown, who you might recall from his big effort in SJSU’s road upset at Arkansas. Not a lot of suspense here, which is probably a good thing.
Kicker
Matt Mercurio, Soph.
Chris Wood, Jr.
Mercurio’s emergence was a pleasant development and, taken in tandem with the fact that Wood is the only other kicking specialist at the roster for now, it seems like his job is as safe as it can be.
Punter
Chris Wood, Jr.
It looks like Wood will get first crack at the punting job, but nothing says the Spartans can’t hit the transfer portal again to find some competition. Alex Galland was a relatively late arrival from Yale last summer but was also something of a disappointment next to so many other outstanding Mountain West punters.
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