Category: San Jose State Spartans

Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

For San Jose State University football head coach Brent Brennan, the first day of practice in full pads and full contact mode was about coming together on the field and by five standout seniors with soaring goals when their football careers are completed.

The team practiced with game officials as players, coaches and officials and experienced live situations for the first time this fall.

For the coaching staff, they now can pinpoint the progress made in the first week of fall camp, what is going well and areas for improvement. And, they are ready to learn what they have as they embark on week two in preparation for the August 29 season opener with Northern Colorado in CEFCU Stadium, at 7:00 p.m.

“It was a great day. It was intense the way it should be in full gear. We took turns making plays on both sides of the ball. Now, we’re going to have some tape of playing real football that we can evaluate and see where we are at,” Brennan said about the August 4 practice session.

“I love the way this team comes to work, the excitement, the energy and the enthusiasm they bring. Today, with pads on, I liked the intensity. There was some physicality and big plays. It’s all part of that learning and growing process that goes in training camp.”

While practice is the primary focus for players and coaches this time of the year, Brennan also can be proud of the number of seniors enrolled this fall in San Jose State University master’s degree programs. From an athletics eligibility standpoint, tight end Brett Foley, punter Alex Galland, defensive back Chandler Hawkins, and offensive linemen Deano Motes and Quinn Oseland plan to add a master’s degree to their San Jose State experience.

Foley, Hawkins and Motes could be considered home grown after earning their bachelor’s degrees from San Jose State. Foley and Motes majored in business administration; Hawkins in psychology. Galland graduated from Yale majoring in mechanical engineering. Oseland majored in business marketing at the University of Minnesota.

“It means I’m getting as much out of this opportunity here at San Jose State as possible,” said Motes, a 2018 Academic All-Mountain West award winner enrolled in a M.B.A. program.

“It (the M.B.A) will help me see more of the real-world applications of the things I learned in my undergraduate experience.”

Foley also is enrolled in the M.B.A. program. He plans to be the first in his family to earn a master’s degree and was something he had in mind when he came to San Jose State from Archbishop Mitty High in 2015.

“One of those key criteria I looked at (when choosing a college) was the fact they (San Jose State) allow people to pursue a master’s degree and that is something I wanted to go after and I am happy to have that opportunity here,” said Foley, a 2019 San Jose State University Dean’s Scholar.

“It (a master’s) will help immensely, especially in this area. I know a lot of high-level execs (executives) come to San Jose State for their master’s program. It gives us a great opportunity to network with those people as a 22-year-old kid and learn as much as possible from them. It will help me down the road for sure.”

Galland and Oseland began their master’s degree program in public administration when they transferred to San Jose State last spring. Oseland enjoyed being Galland’s classmate in some classes. They both see how their choice of public administration will expand their horizons when they enter the business word.

“I will have a very wide array of skills and abilities and it will allow me to take on more and more responsibilities anywhere I go and add more value to whatever job I end up going,” said Galland, whose summer job experiences included working for a leading manufacturer of helicopters.

“Here I wanted to stay with the business mindset, because I could keep ‘stacking’ my degrees. So, I went with the public administration program here. It made the most sense,” said Oseland. “It gives a chance to see both worlds — the bachelor’s at Minnesota gave me a look at the private sector. Now, I’m taking public administration courses and that gives me a look at the public sector. I’m getting an eye on both.”

One could see early on that Hawkins would be a likely candidate for a master’s degree. The three-time Academic All-Mountain West award recipient also is a 2017 Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar who majored in psychology. He can be the first in family to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree program.

“It means a lot to be in a master’s program. I was focused on being the first in my family to achieve (being admitted into) being in a master’s program and to continue my dream playing football, said Hawkins, who is enrolled in an educational counseling program.

A master’s degree will help me a lot due to the fact I can learn a lot more and pursue opportunities at San Jose State and in the Silicon Valley. It also allows me to learn more about what I want to do career-wise.”

Oseland agrees with Hawkins on the added value of a master’s degree when his football career comes to a conclusion. As the 6-foot-6, 300-plus pound offensive lineman said, “A master’s degree is something I can hold on forever.”

“That’s what college football is all about — graduating from college and playing your best football. The bonus of starting a master’s program and getting on that path in furthering their education is something we preach to all of them,” said Brennan.

“When you look at those five guys who are all good players and good examples of doing things right, doing things the right way and taking that step for their life in the big picture, it fits exactly what we talk about here.

“It’s this holistic development of the young man. It’s not just football; it’s not just school. It’s all of it – social life, school, football, post-grad opportunity — all those things coming together. When you have five guys like that, that have done it right and are in that position, that’s exactly what we should be doing.”

There’s no practice on Monday, August 5. The first practice open to the public is Tuesday, August 6, at 9:40 a.m. The team’s first scrimmage is Saturday, August 10, 5:30 p.m. in CEFCU Stadium. There’s no admission charge.

Tickets for the San Jose State season opener with Northern Colorado on August 29 and all home games are available at www.sjsuspartans.com/tickets.

Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose State Spartans football team has relied heavily on pass catching by the tight end for years. Between all-conference players Ryan Otten, Billy Freeman and Josh Oliver, they’ve accounted for 336 pass receptions since 2009.

And, in the last four seasons, the team benefited, too, from the blocking abilities, first from Josh Oliver, and, more recently, Billy Humphreys back for his junior season.

With Oliver pursuing his new career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Jose State still expects to use multiple tight ends in a variety of ways this season.

Matt Adkins, who coached the tight ends last season, has the same responsibility this year. For starters, there are Humphreys, senior Brett Foley and junior Derrick Deese, Jr., continuing their battle from the spring for the number one job. Junior Jackson Burrill and freshmen Dominick Mazotti and Noah Sanchez are also in the group.

Adkins sees the potential in his group to make a real mark on the offense this season.

“I love Josh. It was a blessing to coach him. I’m really excited about this group. I’m really excited about the depth I think we’re going to have. We have a bunch of guys with a bunch of skill sets. We’ll be able to be creative with what we do offensively using these guys,” Adkins said. Adkins also praised the group with how quickly they’re picking up concepts and schemes so far in fall camp.

“There is a bunch of opportunities in the offense this year. We’re really excited since we have the same offensive coordinator (Kevin McGiven) and same tight ends coach (Matt Adkins). The ’12’ personnel (one back and two tight ends) and the ’13’ personnel (one back and three tight ends) will be a really good option for us this year,” said Humphreys, who has seven starts heading into the season. The 245-pound tight end has 11 receptions his first two seasons, actually four more than what Oliver had going into his junior year.

“We all complement each other really well. We all have a lot of similar things (traits) and complement each other, force each to get better every day by seeing what the others are doing and try to beat each other at that,” said Foley, who moved from linebacker to tight end last year with positive results. Foley’s first major college reception was a touchdown catch in the UNLV win.

“I like being able to run and have the ball in my hands, making plays. There’s no other thing like it,” Foley added.

For Deese, Jr., he saw action in three games last year and retained his third year of athletics eligibility. Like Foley, Deese, Jr. has made adjustments from his days at Golden West College to San Jose State.

“I had always been a blocker on the outside. I was known for blocking on the perimeter and catching the ball. The only thing different is putting my hand in the dirt and a different stance off the ball. And, being in the box more,” said Deese, Jr., who had 47 receptions in two seasons at Golden West College.

Regardless of who earns the most playing time, Adkins foresees big things from his tight end group.

“It’s a great group of guys. We’re going to be able to stretch the field. And, on a short down and distance, be physical and run the ball down hill with these guys as well,” Adkins predicts.

The first week of practice concludes Sunday, August 4. The practice open to the public is Tuesday, August 6, at 9:40 a.m. The team’s first scrimmage is Saturday, August 10, 5:30 p.m. in CEFCU Stadium. There’s no admission charge.

The season opener is Thursday, August 29, with San Jose State hosting Northern Colorado in a 7:00 p.m. non-conference game. Tickets for all San Jose State home games are available at www.sjsuspartans.com/tickets.

Notes: Bene Benwikere is back in the NFL. The co-recordholder for San Jose State career interceptions with 14 was signed by the Minnesota Vikings on August 3 to compete for playing time as a cornerback. Benwikere was a 2014 fifth-round draft choice by the Carolina Panthers. There now are 12 Spartans on a NFL roster heading into the first week of preseason games.

Former Spartans Daniel Bradbury (2012-14), a wide receiver and holder on special teams, and offensive lineman Nate Velichko (2014-17) were visitors on day four of fall practice. Both are campus police officers. Bradbury works for the UCLA Police Department and Velichko is a member of the San Jose State Police Department.

Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Summer has ended and the San Jose State Spartans football team opened their fall camp on Wednesday.

As you should already know, San Jose State has been a lowly team–especially in head coach Brent Brennan’s first and second seasons, respectively. So if SJSU wants to be a better team, then they’re going to have to show grit and fight in their upcoming games; but we all know that’s easier said than done.

Still, it doesn’t hurt to check out what the Spartans are up to.

San Jose State will undergo changes in its cornerback position. On defense, there will be two new starting cornerbacks–Tre White and Nehemiah Shelton–following the departure of seniors Dakari Monroe, now a rookie defensive back with the Kansas City Chiefs, and John Toussaint.

White and Shelton have the first chance to replace Monroe and Toussaint based on their performances in spring practice and the beginning of fall camp. White, from De La Salle High (Concord, Calif.), was a starter in San Jose State’s nickel defense against Washington State. In that same game, Shelton, a Long Beach College transfer, came up with one of the team’s three interceptions that night in Pullman, Wash.

Here’s what White and Shelton had to say when asked about being a good cornerback.

“To be a good defensive back is having a short-term memory. If something happens, it’s being able to turn around and focus and be ready for the next play,” said White, who saw action both as a cornerback and a fifth defensive back in certain pass defenses.

“Film. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes a lot of extra work,” Shelton said about becoming a good corner in the team’s defensive scheme.

Both cornerbacks sense the heightened focus so far during fall camp. Perhaps some of the focus is being more in tuned with what is going on instead of figuring out what to do.

“The intensity is way higher than last year. I like how we are bringing it. The effort, our “blue line,” everything is coming together. The energy is up,” said Shelton, who played in three games last season.

“As a team, we’re really showing our ‘blue line’ culture. The 100-100 is really showing up. It’s something we practice and preach. It’s being able to execute 100 percent effort, every single play 100 percent of the time. As a team, it gives us the juice and energy we need for practice.”

Defensive coordinator Derrick Odum reportedly likes the way the first few days have gone for White and Shelton specifically and for the defense in general.

“I do know we are farther along at the start of camp than we’ve ever been. I really enjoy that part of it–the guys understanding what we’re talking about before we get to the assignment at hand. It’s showing. The guys are flying around. They’re in great shape,” said Odum, who has returning starters on defense in lineman Cade Hall, linebackers Ethan Aguayo and Jesse Osuna, and safeties Tre Webb and Jay Lenard. White’s among seven other returning players to start in a game last season.

“I’m pleased with the first few days. Obviously we have a ways to go, but I like where we are.”

“We’re installing as we’re as we’re going. We don’t want to take a step back as far as our progression with techniques and assignments. We’re throwing a lot at them and they are handling it. So, everything will be right the next four days and we can move on from there,” Odum said about what he hopes to see in the remaining practices for the first week.

When it comes to Spartan football specialists, depth and target consistent appear to be there. Why’s that? San Jose State special teams coordinator Fred Guidici was a hit at one of the early football team meetings. The SJSU assistant, now in his sixth year on the staff and 36th year in coaching, got the room buzzing with his annual standing vertical jump with both feet on the floor to a safe landing position on a standard height desk top.

Guidici will be looking for similar leaps and bounds from his special teams units in 2019. He’s coached two of the five top kick scorers in school history in Austin Lopez and Bryce Crawford and punters Michael Carrizosa and Harrison Waid, one and two on the San Jose State list for career punting average. Oh wait, there’s more–devising schemes for blocking kicks and setting up punt and kickoff returns.

This year, Guidici has his biggest group of punters, kickers and long snappers. It’s a six-pack with only redshirt freshman placekicker Matt Mercurio returning from the 2018 team. For spring practice, Alex Galland transferred in from Yale and kicker Chris Wood and long snapper Will Butler, two community college transfers, made it a foursome. Long snapper Andrew Gonneville from Trabuco Hills High (Mission Viejo, Calif.) and kicker Collin Tamas from Amador Valley High (Pleasanton, Calif.)–both freshmen–joined the Spartans for fall camp.

“The good news is we have a lot of depth and a lot of competition. We have good kids. They’re pushing each other and I’m really proud to have these six guys in my (meeting) room with me,” said Guidici, who has spent the first three days of practice installing the team’s PAT and field goal schemes on both sides of the ball.

Giudici’s aim is for consistency and accuracy in all areas of special teams play. A high net punting average, which would include minimizing long opponent punt returns.

“We want accurate placekickers, have them battle it out under pressure (during camp) and may the best man win,” Giudici said.

Mercurio, who made all his kicks in the team’s weekend spring scrimmages, and Galland, a second-team All-Ivy League punter as a sophomore, came out of spring practice at the top of the depth chart. Wood and Tamas are in the mix for each of the kicking jobs.

“So far, so good. What people don’t understand is our game is more mental than physical. We’re not taking big hits out there or putting down big shots. It’s just 1-for-1 every time. You make the kick (and) forget about it. And, it’s on to the next one.  You miss it, same philosophy… It’s all about the next kick. 99 percent mental, 1 percent physical. You just get your mind right,” said Mercurio, who is somewhat amazed he is the “senior” member of the Spartans’ specialists after joining the team just a year ago from Palma High in Salinas, Calif.

Butler did all the long snapping in the spring. Gonneville, trained by Spartan alum Matt Wigley, the long snapper for the 2008 and 2009 teams, is challenging for the job.

“I’ve been a long snapper since I started playing football at six years old. I was a center and thankfully, one of my coaches knew the value of a long snapper on a team and knew where it could get me. So, I stuck with it all the way through Pop Warner into high school, went to community college and still long snapped,” said Butler, who has high school playing experience as a receiver and a linebacker.

“I’ve been long snapping since my freshman year (in high school). I played outside linebacker and got first-team all-league with that. I just did that on the side. I really wanted to pursue it (long snapping) at the collegiate level, because I love doing it,” said Gonneville, who trained with Wigley every Saturday for three years.

“I learned everything from him. When I first started snapping, I could barely get it back 15 yards. Over the years, I got better and better. Next thing I know, people start calling. San Jose called and that’s why I’m here.”

Whoever wins the long snapping duties, will be snapping to Galland for PATs and field goals. The grad student, who calls Bakersfield home, has experience as a holder from his junior season at Liberty High in Bakersfield, Calif. Focused on punting for the Spartans, he also is relying on his experiences kicking for Yale to give him the best perspective holding for the winner of the kick-scoring sweepstakes.

“Actually, having been a kicker for three years at Yale, it’s nice to know all the things I didn’t like that my holders have done. For example, you have to get your body out of the way of the ball as much as possible. You have sit back more than you want and keep your feet out of the way, get your head out of the way, knowing how to lean the ball.  It wasn’t that hard a transition,” said Galland, who is pursuing his master’s degree in public administration.

Guidici, Mercurio, Galland, Butler, Wood, Gonneville and Tamas will be chasing the unit’s goal of consistency throughout the weekend and the rest of fall camp in preparation for the season.

The Spartans’ first practice open to the public is Tuesday, August 6, at 9:40 am. The team’s first scrimmage is Saturday, August 10, 5:30 pm in CEFCU Stadium. There’s no admission charge.