By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012 ):
Its beginning to feel like a trail of a tradition at San Jose State, especially when it comes to its defense.
It starts on the line of scrimmage and half way through days into camp, the young, but physical D-line has shown improvements since day one.
“I think the defensive line is doing a great job,” said head coach Brent Brennan after practice nine.
Brennan’s holding off on giving the D-line credit, at least for the time being. In his eyes, it’s not that the D-line has been great, but that the O-line hasn’t.
“The offensive line is always a work in progress,” Brennan said. “Those guys [O-line] are getting all the calls, all the movement, so they’re still trying to figure it out.”
Backing up a few steps to the linebackers, Frank Ginda will soon become a household name in the Bay Area if he continues to dominate.
The 2017 All-Mountain West First–teamer is built for a breakout year, and what better time to shine for Ginda as he gets to toy with two of the Nation’s top 25 teams in the first three weeks in South Florida and Texas.
Ginda’s legion runs deep. Ethan Aguayo, who’s made the switch from safety to linebacker is fitting in quite well.
Malik Hayes, and JUCO transfer Jamal Scott are currently on the Linebacker list. Expect the both of them to get some turf time, especially against a spread-eagled USF offense orchestrated by one of college football’s best dual-threat QBs in Quinton Flowers.
William Ossai, the most experienced will be blended in and out depending on downs and distances, and Jesse Osuna has been fun to watch during camp, continuing to make smart plays behind the ball.
Aguayo was the most impressive linebacker during last Friday’s practice, at one point getting his hands on the ball thrown by Montel Aaron, landing in the gut of CB Andre Chachere who ran it back for six.
After practice, Aguayo talked about how camaraderie is key.
“We’re just working together, two on one, we just got to do what we got to do,” he said.
Brennan wasn’t surprised by Chachere’s catch and return, holding number 21 to a standard, being leader on this team.
“I expect him to make big plays in practice,” Brennan said. “If he’s not, he’s not doing it right,”
Malik Hayes, and JUCO transfer Jamal Scott are currently on the Linebacker list. Expect the both of them to get some turf time, especially against a spread-eagled USF offense orchestrated by one of college football’s best dual-threat QBs in Quinton Flowers.
Stepping back a few steps, the DBs. The fortune four, the MoneyTeam. These DBs are out there for one reason and one reason only: To make a deposit.
Their income consists of big hits, picks, tips, deflections, break ups, whatever, they all fit in the piggy bank.
Led by Chachere and air-traffic-controlled by safety Maurice Mcknight, the pair steal sleep from opposing offensive coordinators.
Sidekicks include Dakari Monroe, who raised some eyebrows during the scrimmage, John Toussaint who plays with tremendous vision, and Trevon Bierria, who has made a name for himself as a young star with tremendous upside.
Combining the force up front with the dynamic intensity in the middle, plus a sassy, slick, money hungry backfield can, and will cause problems in a hurry for offenses.
Just 16 days come between now and the time Charlie Strong’s Bulls step foot at CEFCU Stadium.