Tag: NCAA Football

San Jose State football concludes pre-Easter festivities with spring game

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Spartan Nation had a lot to look forward to Saturday as the San Jose State football team hosted a long list of pre-Easter festivities at CEFCU Stadium. The list began with a helmet and jersey sale at 11:00 am, a town hall meeting and youth football camp at 12:00 pm, a family fun zone at 12:30 pm, an Easter egg hunt at 1:15 pm, a brew fest at 1:30 pm, and alas, a spring game!

SJSU head coach Brent Brennan said: “It was just a really awesome day.”

The spring game was broken down into 10 segments with two breaks.

The first segment featured the first offense versus the second defense. Running back Tyler Nevens displayed his durability in his position and was a part of the Spartans’ offensive attack. Nevens rushed for a good amount of yards.

The second segment featured the second offense versus the first defense. A notable moment was when a deep pass was thrown through the air. The lucky fans in attendance who texted “C” for a deep pass won $100 gift cards to use at the SJSU bookstore.

The third segment featured the first offense versus the second defense. The Spartans offense was fired up and scored some touchdowns and field goals.

Brennan said: “The team put it in a lot of hard work and effort. Let’s hope they’ll keep this streak up.”

After the first break, there was the fourth segment, which displayed the second offense versus the first defense.

SJSU quarterback Josh Love said: “I feel really confident after all the work I’ve put in in the offseason as it helped me get comfortable with myself.”

The fifth segment was a little different as the third offense took on the third defense. Still, it was good all-around for both teams on the field.

Brennan said: “I thought the defense was lights out. It seemed like it was a little bit hotter today, but I thought they had some big hits and put some pressure on the quarterback. They all made plays.”

The sixth segment featured the first offense versus the second defense. The offense continued to put in the work with running and rushing plays. The defense made quite a few defensive stops, which was a positive thing.

SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum said: “We’re working on a lot of things in practices. We’re going to start with our install a lot further down the line than we’ve ever had in the past, so that was really good, and if we could just polish up on a few things, we’ll be fine. I was excited to see the guys buying in and doing stuff.”

After the second break, there was the seventh segment, which displayed the second offense versus the first offense.

The eighth segment featured the first offense versus the second offense. Both offenses put on an offensive show and looked fairly promising to the offensive coaches on the coaching staff.

The ninth segment featured the second offense versus the first defense. Again, both teams appeared to be locked in like they were in previous segments.

SJSU safety prospect Tre Webb said: “I just have to work on knowing everything. I got to read the playbook inside and out. I have to be better — not only for myself, but also for the people around me.”

Finally, the 10th segment showcased the third offense versus the third defense. There was a Spartans touchdown late the game, which was like the cherry on top. Chance LaChappelle made a pass to Lenard, Jr. to close out the game. The defense edged the offense 26-24.

When asked how he’d characterize the Spartans’ defense so far, SJSU safety Jonathan Lenard, Jr. responded: “It’s everything. We’re swarming. We have these things called ‘blue line” and “100-100″ where you give 100 perfect effort, 100 effort of the time.”

Lenard added: “It’s also about the physicality. We like to play physical football.”

The Spartans open the 2019 regular season against the Northern Colorado Bears at CEFCU Stadium on Thursday, August 29. Brennan hopes this will be the season where his team kicks the door down and find ways to finish their games as a team.

All smiles at Stanford football’s spring game

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Photo credit: @StanfordFball

By: Ana Kieu

The Stanford Cardinal football team concluded its spring session Saturday with a spring game at Cagan Stadium in Stanford, Calif. The Cardinal will not be in action until the start of training camp. The Cardinal last edged the Pittsburgh Panthers 14-13 in the Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve 2018.

Cardinal and White fans flocked over to Cagan Stadium to snag sweet posters of KJ Costello, Cameron Scarlett, Malik Antoine, Colby Parkinson, Jordan Fox, Casey Toohill, Paulson Adebo and Walker Little; and, of course, stuck around for the game as well as postgame autographs.

It was a beautiful day at Cagan Stadium. Cardinal head coach David Shaw and his players were all set for the game. The Cardinal turned heads when Connor Wedington flawlessly caught a pass in the early minutes of the game. Paulson Adebo then caught a perfect pass near the 10-yard line.

Meanwhile, some members of the Cardinal women’s basketball team were in attendance to watch their fellow Cardinal student-athletes battle it out on the field.

Dorian Maddox made a fast burst for a big gain, which was very fun to watch. Maddox was able to get past several defenders on the field. Also, Simi Fehoko found himself a little bit of space, just like Maddox.

The game ended in one of the greatest ways possible — a pass for a touchdown!

The Cardinal host the Northwestern Wildcats at Stanford Stadium on Saturday, August 31.

Five Stanford football players named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society

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By: Ana Kieu

Five Stanford Cardinal football players were honored on Wednesday by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame as members of the 2019 Hampshire Honor Society. Jake Bailey, Sean Barton, Frank Buncom, Jesse Burkett and Dylan Jackson were recognized for their high achievements in the classroom and on the field.

In its 13th year, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society honors student-athletes who have:

• Completed their final year of playing eligibility in 2018; or graduated players who have remaining eligibility but will not return to collegiate play
• Achieved a 3.2 cumulative GPA throughout the entire course of undergraduate study
• Met all NCAA-mandated progress toward degree requirements
• Been a starter or significant contributor throughout the 2018 season

Jake Bailey (3.22 GPA; Science, Technology and Society), a punter from Solana Beach, Calif., was a three-time All-Pac 12 honoree during his career. He was also a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention honoree and finished as Stanford’s all-time career leader in punting average (43.81). He also kicked off for the Cardinal, in addition to his punting duties, and had 173 career touchbacks.

Sean Barton (3.49 GPA; International Relations), an inside linebacker from North Salt Lake, Utah was twice named to the Pac-12 All-Academic second team during his career. He finished with 141 career tackles (76 solo) with 10.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He also forced three fumbles, had three fumble recoveries and an interception in his career.

Frank Buncom (3.31 GPA; Human Biology; minor in Communication), a free safety from San Diego, Calif., was a three-time Pac-12 All-Academic honoree during his career. He finished with 115 tackles (66 solo) in 39 career games with five interceptions and 17 passes defended. He also had one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a touchdown in his career.

Jesse Burkett (3.50 GPA; Japanese; minor in Computer Science), a center from St. Augustine, Fla., was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2017 and was CoSIDA Academic All-District three times during his career. He was also a four-time Pac-12 All-Academic honoree. He played in 42 career games and made 37 starts, earning All-Pac 12 honorable mention in 2018. He was also a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy last season.

Dylan Jackson (3.32 GPA; Political Science; minor in History), a defensive end from Maryville, Tenn., earned first team Pac-12 All-Academic twice and earned Pac-12 All-Academic honors a total of three times. He posted 84 tackles (33 solo) with 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and two fumble recoveries in 39 career games.

Stanford hosts the Cardinal and White Spring Game on Saturday at Cagan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 pm PT and will be live on Pac-12 Networks. In addition to the Spring Game, fans can take advantage of all of Saturday’s events on campus during the Cardinalpalooza.

Three San Jose State football players named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

For the first time in the 13-year history of the National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society program, three San Jose State Spartans players from one team are receiving the prestigious recognition.

Quarterback Michael Carrillo, a master’s degree candidate in business administration; kicker Bryce Crawford, a communications studies major; and long snapper Harrison Hoffman, a business accounting major, are seniors from the 2018 Spartan team invited into the Society.

“It’s awesome. Those thee players are such incredible young men who did everything right all the time. It’s exciting to see them get recognized for their efforts academically,” said SJSU head coach Brent Brennan.

“We know how hard it is to balance the challenge of school and football and being a Division I athlete. Those guys all were exceptional. We were lucky to have them be important members of our football program.”

Football student-athletes from all NCAA and NAIA Divisions qualify for admission by maintaining a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average or better throughout their college careers, been significant players on their team during the 2018 season, and have completed their final year of eligibility.

“It means a lot. I value education a lot. To get the recognition at the end of all of it, all the hard work wasn’t for nothing. It’s pretty special,” said Hoffman, who first joined SJSU in 2017 and plans to work in public accounting after graduation.

“School is very important to me. It’s nice to get recognition when you work so hard for something.”

“It’s nice to be recognized for all the hard work we put in on and off the field. Here at San Jose (State), we put a lot of emphasis on school and making sure we excel in the classroom before we excel on the football field. It’s something I take a lot of pride in,” said Crawford, a 2018 nominee for the NFF’s Campbell Trophy, known as the “Academic Heisman.”

A record-number 1,643 student-athletes from 424 colleges and universities were named. The Society is an extension of the organization’s national scholar-athlete program. More than 10,000 student-athletes have been honored since the program’s inception.

Previous SJSU inductees include defensive end Travis Johnson (2012); guard Nicholas Kaspar and offensive tackle Jon Meyer (2013); linebacker Vince Buhagiar (2014); offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer (2015); linebacker Mark Amann and wide receiver Tim Crawley (2016); and offensive lineman Nate Velichko (2017).

15 Stanford football players showcased their talents at Pro Day

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By: Ana Kieu

JJ Arcega-Whiteside had hoped to turn a few heads Thursday in Stanford’s annual Pro Timing Day. He did just that in front of representatives from 32 NFL teams, totaling more than 100 personnel, including more than 20 position coaches, four general managers, and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan Facing scrutiny and evaluation in the weight room and on the field, he ran 4.49 in the 40-yard dash and posted 34 inches in the vertical jump and 9’10” in the broad jump.

“I thought it went as good as it could go,” Arcega-Whiteside said. “I got mostly everything that I wanted accomplished.”

Once he strapped on his gold cleats and got loose, Arcega-Whiteside’s butterflies disappeared.

“It was nerve-racking for about six days because it’s Pro Day,” Arcega-Whiteside said. “At the end of the day, we’re playing football. As soon as I touched the field, it was like nobody else was here. Once you get here and get warmed up, the nerves go out the window.”

Some have speculated that Arcega-Whiteside (6-2 1/8, 223-pounds) could be a late first or early second selection in the NFL Draft from April 25-27.

“You always wonder,” Arcega-Whiteside said. “Wherever I go is where I’m going to go. I know the team that drafts me is the team I want to go to because they want me.”

David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, thinks someone will be happy they chose Arcega-Whiteside.

“I would say the two things I know for sure are that JJ Arcega-Whiteside can change field position and he can score touchdowns,” Sha said. “You can look at his game and pick it apart, but those are two things that have been consistent on this level, in high school, and will be consistent on the next level.”

Asked why Stanford has become a pipeline to the NFL, Arcega-Whiteside said, “We’ve got ballers here. I play with them and practice with them every day and they make me better. I’m just proud to be part of this program.”

Other former Stanford players who participated were Joey Alfieri, Jake Bailey, Isaiah Brandt-Sims, Jesse Burkett, Keller Chryst, Brandon Fanaika, A.T. Hall, Nate Herbig, Alijah Holder, Trenton Irwin, Bryce Love, Alameen Murphy, Bobby Okereke, and Kaden Smith.

Following a welcome from Shaw, players who did not attend the recent NFL Combine were available for classroom questions. Then, everyone moved to the weight room for the vertical jump, broad jump and bench press.

Former Cardinal standouts Solomon Thomas and Joshua Garnett, now members of the 49ers, were among the interested onlookers.

“Got some work in and came back to see the young bucks,” Garnett said.

Thomas did the same and sprinted down the back steps just in time to watch Alfieri hoist his first bench press.

“Come on, Joey!” Thomas yelled.

Nervous family members watched and paced in the back. While they were under strict orders not to cheer, current and former players picked up the slack, encouraging, clapping and cheering.

Burkett and Fanaika led the group with 23 bench press reps. Hall hit 18 reps, Alfieri completed 17, and Okereke had 16.

Brandt-Sims ran the fastest 40 time at 4.47 and Alfieri ran 4.49. Okereke timed 7.03 in the three-cone drill.

Alfieri’s vertical leap measured 33.5 inches, while Chryst also touched that same mark.

Late-season injuries sidelined Love and Irwin, but both were present and vocal supporters of their former Cardinal teammates.

“Right now, I’m just getting on the straight line running,” said Love. “Starting to get on the treadmill and all that. I’m feeling good. Workout-wise, I’m pretty much doing all the exercises I want to do. On-the-field, hopefully in a few more weeks.”

Love hasn’t given much thought to when he will be picked in the NFL Draft. He’s training in Pensacola, Florida.

“Right now, I’m just focusing on the things I can control,” Love said. “At the end of the day, making sure I am in the physical shape I need to be. From there, I know what I am as a player. I’m confident in that. Whatever team I go to, I know what I’m working for and towards.”

Stanford Pro Timing Day was broadcasted by ESPN3 and taped by the NFL Network. Notables in attendance included ex-Stanford standouts John Lynch, GM of the 49ers, and Christian McCaffrey, a breakout star for the Carolina Panthers. In addition to Shanahan, Oakland GM Mike Mayock, Buffalo General Manager Brandon Beane and New England Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio were also on hand.

Under Shaw, the Cardinal has produced 30 draft picks, including six first-round selections since the 2012 NFL Draft, the most of any Pac-12 conference program. Andrew Luck was the No. 1 overall choice in 2012. In 2017, Thomas was taken third overall by the 49ers, the highest defensive pick in program history. McCaffrey was selected eighth in the same draft by the Panthers.

Stanford has produced 25 NFL Draft first-round picks and has had 263 players drafted by NFL teams since 1936. Four Cardinal players have been chosen in the first round in the last four years.

“They’re showing off all the hard work they’ve put in,” Shaw said. “We remind them your film is the most important thing. But you want to come out here and show you’re willing to work and execute. Our guys ran fast, jumped high, and as usual, knocked out all the interviews, because they’re great kids. It’s been a great day.”

Asked why Stanford continues to churn out so many NFL players, Shaw said it wasn’t by accident.

“We talk about recruiting the trifecta,” Shaw said. “We want high academics, high character and great football players. We want to bring in guys who have aspirations to play this game at the highest level. We want that to be the mentality here. We run NFL schemes in all three phases.”

Shaw and McCaffrey had a long conversation on the field.

“It was great to see him,” said Shaw. “He has always said he wants to come back during the offseason and be around this place. He loves this place and the people. It’s such a great time here, on the field and off. And his best friends are here. I love that fact that he’s here to be around our current players, because he’s the example of how to train hard, how to work hard and play at a high level. And at the same time, be a great person and a great leader. He’s doing the same thing on the next level, which is not a surprise to any of us.”

McCaffrey is a Love fan.

“Everything he brought to Stanford in college he can bring to the NFL,” McCaffrey said. “He’s an every-down back with all of the attributes you want in a back. He’s dedicated, he breaks tackles, he’s smart. It was an honor to play with him and watch him. Wherever he goes, he’s going make a team better.”

The second session of spring practice resumed this week and culminates with the Spring Game on April 13 in Cagan Stadium at 1 pm. An open practice will be held on Saturday from 10:10 am- 12:10 pm.

Stanford football’s Pro Day to take place on Thursday

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Photo credit: gostanford.com

By: Ana Kieu

The Stanford Cardinal football team’s NFL Pro Timing Day will take place Thursday at Siebel Practice Field starting at 11 am PT. ESPN3 will broadcast the high-profile event with Troy Clardy ’97 and Tank Williams ’02 on the call.

15 former Stanford student-athletes are expected to showcase their skills in the weight room and on the field. Those 15 include linebacker Joey Alfieri, wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside, punter Jake Bailey, wide receiver Isaiah Brandt-Sims, center Jesse Burkett, quarterback Keller Chryst, offensive lineman Brandon Fanaika, offensive lineman A.T. Hall, defensive back Alijah Holder, offensive lineman Nate Herbig, wide receiver Trenton Irwin, running back Bryce Love, defensive back Alameen Murphy, linebacker Bobby Okereke, and tight end Kaden Smith.

Stanford’s Pro Day will operate with a similar format to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis each winter.

The day will consist of classroom testing, weight room evaluations, on-field agility drills and football-specific position drills.

In the morning, select participants will begin in the weight room with measurables such as vertical leap, broad jump and bench press. After that, they’ll participate in the outdoor portion of the event. The outdoor drills are open to the public and admission is free.

On the field, select participants will be timed in the 40-yard dash, 5-10-5 shuttle, three-cone agility and position-specific drills.

Stanford will host its annual Cardinal and White Spring Game at Cagan Stadium on Saturday, April 13 at 1 pm PT. Admission is free and players will be available for postgame autographs.

Steve and Cheryl Caplan commit $1 million to San Jose State football

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By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State University announced Thursday that they received a $1 million gift commitment from Steve and Cheryl Caplan. The gift is the latest commitment in a growing list of seven-figure gifts that will support a new football operations center on the east side of CEFCU Stadium, Home of the Spartans. An additional $1 million from their estate will establish the Caplan Family Faculty Fellowship in the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, the Caplan Family Teacher Innovation Fund in the Connie L. Lurie College of Education, and a Spartan Athletics Fund Scholarship endowment.

“My favorite donor stories are those that begin with ‘They met while they were students at SJSU.’ Throughout a lifetime of giving back, Steve and Cheryl’s passion, commitment and love for San Jose State has never wavered,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Marie Tuite. “This gracious gift reflects their strong belief in and support of SJSU Athletics. However, more importantly, this gift also confirms their pledge to the educational mission of the university. Countless students will benefit from their impactful and inspirational gift. A sincere ‘thank you’ to two great Spartans.”

The Caplans first met at SJSU and recognize the role that the university plays in the economic well-being of Silicon Valley. They hope this gift will enable SJSU to continue its good work for future generations, help build a stronger foundation for Spartan football and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and inspire friends and fellow alumni to invest in the university.

Spartans for Life
A 1965 graduate of SJSU’s College of Business, Steve is the retired owner and president of KBM Workspace, an office furniture and design company. He joined the firm when he was a senior at SJSU and purchased the company in 1984, helping it grow from a local dealership to a large company with business throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a founding board member of the Tower Foundation of SJSU, an auxiliary organization whose sole mission is to serve the philanthropic purposes of SJSU. Currently serving his third term as a board member, Steve is also an active volunteer, helping alumni discover ways to support Spartan Athletics, including the development of a new football operations center.

Cheryl taught public school after graduating from SJSU’s College of Education in 1967. The mother of two boys, she served as a volunteer in the Loma Prieta School District and worked with the principal and superintendent, researching and implementing curriculum, and creating a preschool testing program that helped parents, teachers and children prepare for kindergarten. She became well-versed in the issues challenging education, including communication between families and schools, adequate funding and teacher preparation.

Steve’s goal with Spartan Athletics is to raise awareness and support the funding effort for the renovation of the east side of CEFCU Stadium. The Caplans believe that the future of SJSU Athletics is very bright, as there is a very cohesive team in place that understands the critical nature of the need for competitive facilities that will put the university on equal footing with others in the conference.

The Caplans have been on the boards of service organizations such as the San Jose Hospital, Samaritan Health Systems, The Health Trust, YMCA of Silicon Valley, KTEH/KQED Public Television, Santa Clara County Boy Scouts of America, the San Jose Rotary Club and Tahoe Maritime Museum and Gardens.

“Through this magnificent gift and with hearts full of appreciation, Cheryl and I acknowledge the gift of education we received as young adults,” said Steve. “We hope these gifts will enable San Jose State to continue its good work for future generations of students and student-athletes alike. We also wish to model philanthropic behavior for our family members, friends and future generations of Spartans.”

“The Caplans are longtime, incredibly dedicated supporters of San Jose State. This generous commitment is a testament to their deep and abiding passion for this institution,” said Vice President for University Advancement and Tower Foundation CEO Paul Lanning. “They believe in the importance of both academics and athletics as vital elements of a comprehensive university. We’re so thankful for their leadership as dedicated alumni, volunteers and donors to their alma mater.”

“Steve and Cheryl Caplan have been incredible partners with San Jose State football over the years,” said SJSU Football Head Coach Brent Brennan. “They are helping us connect with and inspire Spartans to invest in our program, and they’re leading by example through this most generous gift. I am grateful to the Caplans, as this gift represents another step forward in providing our program the facilities it needs to compete at the highest level in the Mountain West.”

To track fundraising progress and learn how you can support Spartan football, please visit sjsufootball.com or contact Deputy Athletics Director for Athletics Advancement Josh Thiel at (408) 924-1697 or joshua.thiel@sjsu.edu.

About San Jose State University
The founding campus of the 23-campus CSU system, SJSU provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in 250 areas of study — offered through its eight colleges.

With more than 35,000 students and nearly 4,370 employees, SJSU continues to be an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley and the state, annually contributing 10,000 graduates to the workforce.

The university is proud of the accomplishments of its more than 280,000 alumni, 60 percent of whom live and work in the Bay Area.

About San Jose State Athletics
SJSU sponsors 22 (nine men’s and 13 women’s) NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports programs for approximately 470 student-athletes annually. In football, the Spartans are a member of Division I’s FBS, the NCAA’s highest level of competition.

The Spartans’ primary conference affiliation is with the Mountain West. Selected teams belong to the MPSF, the WAC, and the GCC.

SJSU has 10 NCAA team championships and 52 NCAA individual titles. 62 Spartans competed in one or more Olympic Games. SJSU athletes have won seven gold, six silver, and seven bronze medals at the Olympics.

Annually, about one third of the student-athlete population earns either an institutional, conference or national recognition based on outstanding academic performance.

Dave Chaney to be enshrined in CEFCU Stadium Ring of Honor

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By: Ana Kieu

Dave Chaney, the first San Jose State Spartans football player to be a two-time All-America selection since the Spartans began playing the sport at the major college level in 1950, will be enshrined in the CEFCU Stadium Ring of Honor during the 2019 football season. SJSU AD Marie Tuite made the announcement.

Chaney was a linebacker on the 1969 to 1971 SJSU teams from his sophomore through senior seasons. The product of Greenfield, Calif., and King City (Calif.) High School played much bigger than his 5-foot-11, 210-pound listed size. In his three seasons, he established school career records for tackles, interception return yardage and interceptions returned for a touchdown. His 527 career tackles in just three seasons still remains a SJSU record 48 years later.

“There are 11 guys on the field at one time — 10 other guys out on the field with me. I don’t want to take all the credit,” said Chaney.

“There are not enough words in the dictionary. I’m in awe of the award. What can I say? I played with some great players and we had good teams. What do you say when someone drops a ‘bomb’ on you and catches you off guard.”

The 1970 second-team All-America selection cemented his spot as a first-team All-America in 1971 with his National Lineman of the Week performance in SJSU’s stunning 13-12 upset over #10-ranked and eventual Rose Bowl champion Stanford. Chaney was credited with 17 tackles (12 unassisted), 4.0 tackles for lost yardage, two fumble recoveries and a third-quarter pass interception on a day when Stanford had 95 offensive plays.

Chaney became the first modern era SJSU player to be selected as a first-team All-America. The two-time, first-team all-conference and All-West Coast honoree would become the first Spartan to accept an invitation and play in a Senior Bowl.

“There is no doubt Dave Chaney is one of the greatest football players in San Jose State history. His legend as a Spartan clearly has stood the test of time and lives on today. It is clearly time to have his name in our Ring of Honor for what he symbolizes as a San Jose State football player — an unparalleled playing career and a noteworthy professional career of accomplishments and service to his local community,” said Tuite.

Though he was a 1972 draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs, Chaney elected to pursue a career as a high school special education teacher and was a successful tennis coach. His teams won 12 league championships and more than 400 dual matches in a 20-year coaching career.

This latest SJSU honor follows having his jersey #52 retired, being named to the SJS Sports Hall of Fame, and being named to the SJSU football All-Century team in 1995.

He’s also enshrined in the Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame and was named as the #5 greatest athlete in the Salinas area of the 20th century by the Salinas Californian.

Chaney is joining Bob Bronzan, Jack Elway, Claude Gilbert, John Ralston, Dick Vermeil, Bill Walsh and Pop Warner, best known for their coaching achievements; quarterbacks Steve DeBerg and Jeff Garcia; running back Gerald Willhite; and five-time Pro Bowl defensive back Louie Wright in the CEFCU Stadium Ring of Honor started in 1998 to celebrate the university’s history, tradition and excellence in sports.

San Jose State football showcased their skills in Saturday scrimmage

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By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A lot went on this week for San Jose State Spartans football, including the 2019 SJSU Spartans Coaches Clinic, where the Spartans’ coaching staff connected and talked ball with over 100 coaches from the State of California. The Spartans, however, wrapped up the busy week with a scrimmage in CEFCU Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Last week, big plays highlighted SJSU’s first scrimmage. This week, SJSU was back at it for their second scrimmage, which was fairly low-key as there were fewer fans in attendance.

Classic rock, R&B, pop, and electro house blasted out of the speakers in CEFCU. The players took the field, practiced their runs, and created big plays. Last season, SJSU was unskilled in running the ball in some key situations against the Wyoming Cowboys and Nevada Wolf Pack, just to name a few Mountain West teams.

The position groups huddled and talked during the unofficial halftime of the scrimmage. After 10 minutes or so, the groups returned to their respective spots on the field.

It wasn’t long before SJSU got a first down and kept possession of the ball. Though, it was an arguable first down because the play was whistled dead by the officials. But I’m going to let you make your own call on the play.

A notable highlight was when a defensive player caught a ball that was initially kicked several feet into the air and stopped a potential scoring play by the offensive unit. Both the players and fans erupted in cheers as all eyes were on the field.

Shortly after, the defense forced the ball out and forced a turnover, which flipped the script. But let’s not forget that this scrimmage was purely spring ball. It’s clear the defense has improved, but they’ll need more than sacks. SJSU will face a tough test in its home opener against the Northern Colorado Bears on August 29th. Northern Colorado’s an FCS team, but they won two games in the 2018 and had one more win than SJSU. So SJSU has to make more than one solid defensive secondary play to hold off Northern Colorado.

Nine San Jose State football players are pursuing pro careers

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By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Disregarding a brief midday rain shower, nine seniors from the 2018 San Jose State Spartans football team stated their case to continue playing the game at the Spartans’ annual Pro Day activities this week.

Representatives from 22 NFL and CFL teams examined, measured, and tested defensive linemen Bryson Bridges and Boogie Roberts; quarterback Michael Carrillo; kicker Bryce Crawford; wide receiver Justin Holmes; defensive backs Dakari Monroe and John Toussaint; tight end Josh Oliver, and running back Malike Roberson.

Bridges, Holmes, Monroe and Toussaint participated in all the activities similar to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis–the vertical jump, bench press of 225 lbs, standing long jump, 40-yard dash, and three shuttle runs of various lengths.

Tight end Josh Oliver, the lone Spartan invited to the 2019 NFL Combine, and one of the best overall performers at his position, was measured for height and weight and participated in pass catching drills at the end of the testing session.

Monroe’s marks in the vertical leap of 35.5 inches and 11.70 in the “long shuttle” were among the best by a SJSU senior in recent years. In 2017, current Chicago Bears linebacker Isaiah Irving had a 36.0 inch leap and former New York Giants fullback Shane Smith was even better at 37 inches. In 2016, Cleveland Wallace III’s 11.43 in the long shuttle is the best time by the Spartan prior to Monroe’s time this year.