The start of San Diego State's first spring practice was all too familiar.
The long snapper, punter and placekicker specialists took to the field Tuesday afternoon well before their teammates.
They kicked the ball around and made fun of it. When one of them hit a 45-yard field goal to the outside to the left, the other one said, “It just went out.''
Soon, his Aztec teammates joined him on the field.
The same goes for new head coach Sean Lewis, who was a noticeable presence in his first practices, and not just because he's 6-foot-7.
The first-year coach wore a black Aztec hat. The back of his red shirt had the word “Toil” written on it, a word that was popular during winter training. Lewis was wearing black sweatpants. Carefully rolling up the legs of his pants, he looked more like an old-school baseball player than a new generation of football coaches.
Lewis was followed by his 8-year-old son Rory, who wore an Aztec jersey with the number 1 on his back, giving him an up-close glimpse of the beginning of a new era for SDSU football.
Lewis will be in charge of “AztecFAST” and will officially participate in the race.
“It's the first day as planned,” Lewis said after coming off the field after the first of 15 spring training sessions. “It's never going to be this late again.”
Aztec players work hard during Tuesday's practice.
(From Hayne Palmore IV/San Diego Union-Tribune)
On the first day, there were issues such as turnovers.
“Hopefully we'll learn to value football a little bit more,” Lewis said. “There were a lot of great plays, a lot of great effort, a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of things to clean up.”
The coach's message was delivered as music blared from 4-foot-tall speakers across the corner of the practice field. He has withdrawn from training under head coach Brady Hoke, who was replaced last fall after a 4-8 season.
“We definitely had more energy than last year,” sophomore running back Lucky Sutton said. “After last season, you want to get better.
“So, especially in this first practice, I wanted to bring more energy. … and try to do my best.”
Senior wide Mekhi Shaw said Lewis “is going to continue to have high expectations for us.” We have to play at our highest level of ability. We have to hold each other accountable and make sure everyone does the right thing in the right way. ”
Lewis played coy last week when asked which quarterback would run the first play.
“That's a great question,” he said. “We'll find out on Tuesday.”
Quarterback AJ Duffy threw a pass during Tuesday's workout.
(From Hayne Palmore IV/San Diego Union-Tribune)
For the record, the first photo was taken by sophomore transfer AJ Duffy. Behind center, in order, were true freshman Danny O'Neal, sophomore Kyle Crum, and redshirt freshman Javance Tupouata-Johnson.
Also absent was sophomore walk-on Tobin Odell, who was backup to starting quarterback Jalen Mayden last season.
Odell has decided to transfer, but his destination has not yet been determined.
“I wanted to play somewhere and take a little break,” O'Dell told the Union-Tribune in a text message.
Odell's departure will leave more reps for other reps, but they won't necessarily continue to get opportunities in the same order.
The players who ran No. 1 and No. 2 on the first day are not necessarily the No. 1 and No. 2 stringers. Lewis said coaches decide on groups “based on the way the players have worked in the past, as well as seniority and players who have been successful in the past.”
“We’re going to put the depth chart out there, so to speak,” he said. “So you say, 'This is 1, this is 2,' but this is just a starting point. …
“It's going to be evaluated and evaluated on a daily basis. It's obviously going to be a very fluid thing as we move forward with these efforts.”
Coach Sean Lewis (center) watches his players warm up with his son Rory, 8.
(From Hayne Palmore IV/San Diego Union-Tribune)
There were nearly 20 new faces on the field, but only the head coach, assistants and other staff members.
Nearly 30 new players participated, including four freshmen who left high school early to get to know nearly 20 transfers.
“Go, go, go, go, go, go, go,” Lewis coached his quarterbacks during drills.
The go-go theme spread to every corner of the field and everyone participated.
Several team managers wore white and black striped jerseys. They represented the umpires, similar to Foot Locker employees running around while selling shoes, but rushing to find the football at the line of scrimmage on every subsequent play.
What kind of tone did the new coach want to establish from day one?
“How do we move forward with our business?” Lewis said. “The strength it takes to get this job done.”
Pay attention to
SDSU offensive lineman Miles Murao and wide receiver Darius Hyde, both wore braces on their left knees, which prevented them from practicing while they recovered from offseason surgery.wide receiver derek smithEven though he was on crutches, he was an observer of the practice rather than a participant.
• SDSU's pro day is scheduled for Tuesday.
With several Aztec players transferring during the offseason, only five members of the 2023 team, the punter/kicker, are expected to train for NFL scouts. jack browningsafety Sidarius Barfieldcornerback noah tamblyndefensive lineman Samuela Tuihalamaka And Maiden, who is expected to play as a safety.Former running back/returner jordan bird He is expected to join them.
