Montezuma’s Revenge: The Return of the San Diego State Aztecs
An old Mountain West wiseman once told me: the one who runs with the jaguar should not be taken lightly... so what should we expect from Sean Lewis' Aztecs in year one?
The omen was foretold, and now we have a fear more grave. Today I saw the day become like night. I saw a man run with the jaguar. We must not let this man make feet from us…
- Snake Ink, Apocalypto (2006)
Pigs, welcome back to the farm. Let me just start off by saying—yes—I know the movie ‘Apocalypto’ is based around the Mayans, while San Diego State (SDSU) are called the Aztecs. Let me acknowledge right off the bat that I am aware that these are two distinct empires. But, until there’s a half decent movie that can be quoted about the Aztecs, this is the best we’ve got.
Remarkably, SDSU wasn’t even covered at all last offseason, so this has been a long time coming for the Aztec football program. It’s strange, because it wasn’t that long ago that SDSU was known as a safe haven for College Fantasy Football (CFF) assets, particularly at RB.
Greg Bell was pretty good in 2021, going over 1000 yards on 245 carries. But that performance was nowhere near the scale of pig farming that was underway in the mid 2010s with Rashaad Penny and Donnel Pumphrey, both going over 2000 yards back-to-back. Not only was this period under then-head coach Rocky Long a productive one for CFF, but it was also one of SDSU’s most successful periods, finishing nine seasons with an 81 and 38 W/L record.
But times change, and Long was eventually replaced by Brady Hoke, who himself, stepped down as head coach at the end of 2023. This move then allowed one of CFF Nate’s WR kingmakers to make his way down to Southern California. Some are even saying that the SDSU offence could be… fant-aztec in 2024 (shoutout to Jay, one of the subscribers, for that sick pun suggestion).
Nate wasn’t the only one who noted the addition. The VP interns tracked down an anonymously recorded conversation between two Mountain West Conference (MWC) staff members earlier this offseason, when the news of former CU Buffs OC Sean Lewis’ move to San Diego was announced publicly.
“The omen was foretold, and now we have a fear more grave. Today I saw the day become like night. I saw a man run with the Buffalo…”
“He served on coach Prime’s staff?”
“Offensive Coordinator… we must not let this man make feet from us…”
Why are they so fearful of his presence in the great MWC? Good question, this is something I was also wondering, so it’s good that we’re on the same page. I sought to answer said question by looking at the new staff in place, and by gathering an assessment of the team’s profile headed into 2024—notably, asking the age old question of: will there be pigs?
New Staff
Sean Lewis (HC) — Lewis joins SDSU as its 19th head coach in program history. Prior to his one year apprenticeship under coach Prime, Lewis served as the head coach of the MAC program, Kent State, for five seasons (2018-22). He also served as the OC of Syracuse (2016-17) and Bowling Green (2015).
At Kent State, Lewis’ WR1 averaged (excluding 2020’s data), 60.5 catches, 907 receiving yards, and 8.25 TDs (15.4 PPG over 13 games, or 16.7 PPG over 12). The only 1000-yard receiver in that group was Dante Cephus in 2021, who caught 82 passes for 1240 yards and nine scores.
So the receiving numbers were not amazing, but his RB numbers were a little more bariatric. His RB1 averaged 196 carries (240+ in two seasons, less than 140 in two other seasons), 940 yards (again, there were two great seasons, and two bad ones), and 8.5 TDs between 2018 and 2022, not including 2020.
His QBs at Kent State were generally not very productive. In 2021, Lewis’ best QB season by far, Dustin Crum scored a total of 32 TDs (12 rushing) to only six INTs. The value in Crum was his rushing output, and this was a good season. When CFF managers sought to return to the well the following season, they were largely left disappointed, as Colin Schlee (now of UCLA), finished the season with a total of 17 TDs to 5 INTs. He still rushed frequently, like his predecessor, with a total of 98 carries for 492 yards and four scores. You’ll notice as we go on that this rushing usage of his QBs is a theme with Lewis.
In both of his seasons at Syracuse, Lewis’ WR1 went over 1000 yards receiving. Steve Ismael led the way in 2017, with 1347 yards and seven scores on 105 catches. Amba Etta-Tawo paced the team in 2016, with 1482 yards and 14 scores on 94 catches. Neither season sported a CFF relevant RB. His starting QB rushed 143, and 125 times, in the two seasons under Lewis.
In Lewis’ one year at Bowling Green the team went absolutely apeshit. They had two 1000-yard WRs in Roger Lewis and Gehrig Dieter, and a 1000-yard rusher in Travis Carlton Greene. They also had a third receiver who almost hit 1000 yards.
I think the thing that stands out to me the most about this season’s stats is the sheer amount of plays run and the concentration of volume to the top dogs of the offence. I mean, there are damn-near three 1000-yard receivers, and two RBs who carried the ball 360+ times between them. Not to mention a QB who also ran over 100 times. The QB passed for over 4900 yards and sported a 46-8 TD ratio. I should point out too that the lead RB, Greene, also caught 27 passes for 234 yards and two more scores.
Last but not least, we should look to Lewis’ latest stop, to see what he did at Colorado under coach Prime. I will say, I think this situation was sort of a unique one, in that the QB’s dad was Lewis’ boss. Understandably, there might have been some things out of Lewis’ control.
We have the luxury of using Fantrax’ PPG numbers from a year ago here, so I’ll utilize those. Shedeur Sanders finished the year with a 26 PPG average (in six point passing TD formats), though his numbers earlier in the year were better than the second half. That’s a function of stiffer competition in November, and a coaching change. His lead receiver—Xavier Weaver, finished the year averaging over 18 PPG. There were no notable RBs during this season.
Lanear Sampson (Pass Game Coordinator/WR) — As has been a feature of Lewis’ teams in the past, there isn’t actually an offensive coordinator on the staff. They do have a PGC and WRs coach in Lanear Sampson. His history is captured below:
2024-present: San Diego State (pass game coordinator, wide receivers)
2023: Austin Peay (co-offensive coordinator, wide receivers)
2022: Austin Peay (pass game coordinator, wide receivers)
2021: Syracuse (offensive analyst)
2020: Central Florida (offensive quality control coach)
2019: McNeese State (wide receivers coach)
2018: Missouri State (wide receivers coach)
As we can see in his coaching history, he hasn’t spent much time calling plays. From the one season that he did, the lead receiver at Austin Peay caught 52 passes for 799 yards and six scores. Notably, the lead back carried the rock 252 times for 1373 yards and 10 TDs. I don’t know how much credit he deserved for that, though. Like Lewis, Sampson’s QB was a frequent runner. Mike Diliello, ran 123 times for 203 yards and five TDs. He also passed for 3164 yards and 28 TDs to only 10 INTs.
Mike Schmidt (Run Game Coordinator/OL) — New RGC and OL coach Mike Schmidt actually played for SDSU between 2005 and 2008. He joins the program as a coach by way of Mississipi State, where he served in a similar role. He also spent a few stints at Syracuse and San Diego State.
2024-present: San Diego State (run game coordinator, offensive line)
2023: Mississippi State (run game coordinator, tight ends & tackles)
2022: Syracuse (run game coordinator, offensive line)
2021: Syracuse (offensive line)
2012-20: San Diego State (offensive line)
2009-11: San Diego State (offensive graduate assistant)
While Schmidt hasn't spent any time calling plays, it should be noted that Mississippi State’s Jo’ Marks was off to a very productive year in 2023, before succumbing to injuries.
Overall, if I were to grade the new staff on the VolumePig meter, I’d probably go:
QB — 7/10 Pigs
RB — 6.5/10 Pigs
WR — 8.5/10 Pigs
RB would be higher if I knew how much the RGC and PGC will be influencing play calling, and how much of the Austin Peay rushing numbers could be attributed to Sampson.
With that infrastructural overview now serving as a foundation to build on, let us move into specifics.
Quarterback & Pass Catchers
QB AJ Duffy (6’2, 223)— The former four star out of California originally committed and signed with another forgotten warrior clan— the Florida State Seminoles (FSU). Duffy had transferred to nearby IMG Academy for his senior season after having lost his entire junior year to COVID lockdowns. A highly coveted recruit, he held offers from USC, LSU, Oregon, Ole Miss, and of course, FSU, among others.
He didn’t play in any meaningful way in his first two seasons in Tallahassee, playing behind QB Jordan Travis. He attempted a total of seven passes, and four runs in his two seasons with the Noles.
Here’s an excerpt from 247 Sports’ assessment of Duffy in high school:
Ended up transferring into the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy for his senior season where he directed a run-heavy offense. Still managed to complete just under 64 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns to go against four interceptions. Must cut down on mistakes and limit errant throws when he gets to college, but has a chance to win games at the Power 5 level one day given his skillset as he’s more than capable of making high-level throws. Likely to find the most success in a balanced single-back spread attack that has plenty of RPOs on the call sheet.
A gamer of sorts that has flashed in a variety of different settings. Has a knack for making something out of nothing. Creative when the pocket breaks down and does a nice job of keeping his eyes down the field while on the move.
While not a shoe in to be the starter at SDSU, it seems pretty likely that he’ll be in the mix. It also sounds like his skill set fits the dual threat mold Lewis typically deploys at QB in his offence.
WR Louis Brown (6’1, 190) — Another California high school star from the class of 2022, Brown originally pledged to Jay Norvell’s Colorado State Rams (CSU). At CSU, Brown averaged 2.3 and 9.2 PPG in his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively. His 2023 season was a pretty solid one from a statistical standpoint— he caught 42 of his 63 targets for 436 yards and four TDs as essentially the WR3 on the team. Brown should be a player that is drafted in CFF leagues and is one I will probably look for late.
WR Ja’Shaun Poke (5’10, 185) — The sixth year player from WVU and formerly of Kent State would probably be the WR I’d reach for first, though. Due to his familiarity with Lewis’ system, I’d give him the edge over Brown, or really any of the other WRs. Poke’s been a productive player in the past under Lewis as well, averaging 18 PPG in the COVID season (four games). Granted that was a strange year and he hasn’t done anything like that since or before. Nonetheless, the shifty slot receiver out of Hampton, GA is an intriguing name due to his history with Lewis.
WR/TE Michael Harrison — Wrote about him here.
RB
Lewis himself might not be great for the RB position, but he has had a few pigs in his time at Kent State and Syracuse.
Note: Former Kent State and Ball State RB Marquez Cooper recently announced he was entering the portal. He’s a multi-year starter and 1000-yard back under Lewis when he coached at Kent State. Cooper would be a great fit here in my opinion.
Jaylon Armstead (5’11, 215) — Armstead’s been in college for four years at this point (entering his fifth), and hasn’t done much thus far. His last season was by far his best, becoming a TD merchant for the Aztec as he rushed 103 times for 448 yards and eight TDs. Eight scores on 103 totes is a pretty good score to carry ratio (almost one out of every ten times he carried the rock he scored). He also had a big individual game vs. SJSU, rushing 21 times for 134 yards and a score (19.4 points) towards the end of the season. His size suggests he could be a workhorse back if needed.
Cam Davis (5’8, 180) — Davis, a product of Dallas-metro powerhouse South Oak Cliff High, began his career at the FCS level at Idaho State in 2021. He did not register a stat in his first year, redshirting the 2021 season and then transferring to SDSU in the 2022 offseason. He rushed 46 times for 151 yards and a score in his first 12 games with the Aztecs. The following season (2023), he rushed 52 times for 225 yards and zero scores. His size suggests he’d probably more a third-down, change of pace, type of player.
Kenan Christon (5’10, 190) — Oddly enough, at least on a per game basis, Christon had his best statistical season in his freshman year in 2019. I remember this time well, as I actually rostered him briefly in a P5-only league. You’re probably scratching your head a little while reading that. Some may recall that USC underwent a rash of injuries in the backfield that season, and Christon, the true freshman from San Diego with a gnarly track background, was basically the last man standing.
His first game was a hit, scoring twice and rushing for 103 yards on only eight carries vs. Arizona (22.7). He then scored 15.7, 9.4 and 28.4 points vs. Colorado, Oregon, and Arizona State. His carries increased steadily from eight to 14, to 15, and then to 20. They also took advantage of his speed in space by getting the ball to him via the air— he caught four passes for 82 yards and two scores vs. AZ State.
Unfortunately, the dream run eventually ended, and Christon hasn’t been able to capture that form ever since. He transferred to SDSU in the 2022 offseason, and hit the ground running (no pun intended) with 71 carries for 258 yards and a score. Most important about his profile is that he is a good pass-catcher, He had that big game vs. the Sun Devils mentioned earlier, and he’s gone over 200 yards receiving in both of his seasons with the Aztecs (one of those years he only caught nine passes mind you). Christon is an intriguing name, and I think it would be a fitting conclusion for his CFB career if he were to find his way onto one of my rosters again in 2024 (fingers crossed).
Martin Blake (5’6, 205) — Blake is one densely proportioned son of a gun. He’s a short man, but weighing in over 200 pounds, I imagine he’s shaped like a bowling ball. Those are my favourite types of RBs, so that works for me. I briefly rostered Blake in a 45-man dynasty league this past season after he scored 18.8 points vs. Idaho State. He rushed 12 times for 58 yards and a score, and also caught three passes for 40 yards. Unfortunately, he didn’t really do much else during the rest of the season, and I ended up dropping him. He’s entering his third year in the program in 2024.
Tr-Frs. Cincere Rhaney (5’10, 200) & Anthony McMillan (6’0, 225) — Two incoming freshman at RB.
Closing
I spent more time on the RB position then I probably should have, because that’s the one position that I would say I’m most skeptical about there being value. I would guess it’ll probably be a committee, but you never know. If Marquez Cooper (or another established RB) transfers into the program this spring, then I’d be more intrigued.
Lewis is known as a kingmaker at the WR position, and there are two names that I’d circle in Poke and Brown, in addition to the potential TE/WR Michael Harrison. QB is still TBD.
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