2008 San Jose State Spartans Preview

The progress that Dick Tomey has made with San Jose State’s football program in three years can’t only be measured by wins and losses, but also by the expectations surrounding the program. When Tomey first arrived in 2005, the big issue for the Spartans was whether the program would be around much longer. It seemed like each year a new rumor would surface that San Jose State would join the Division I football junk-pile long inhabited by fellow state schools like Long Beach State, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Spartans

The early schedule is much more favorable for the Spartans in 2008. San Jose State went 0–3 out of the gate a year ago with three straight road games before rallying to win five of its final nine contests. This year Dick Tomey’s squad, which has won 12 of its last 14 home games, only leaves the Silicon Valley once in its first four games, a Sept. 6 date at Nebraska. Priority No. 1 for the Spartans will be finding a capable replacement for steady quarterback Adam Tafralis, and Tomey hints that the process could play out during the first few games of the season. Improving a running game that averaged only 83.8 yards per game a year ago also is key, and the Spartans are keeping their fingers crossed that two-time All-WAC tailback Yonus Davis is granted a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA this summer. The rest of the pieces appear to be in place for the Spartans to make a legitimate run at their second bowl berth in three years. San Jose State gets WAC contenders Boise State and Fresno State at Spartan Stadium, which also could be a big plus.

But the question confronting Spartan football fans today is a bit more positive: Are we good enough to make another bowl game?

The Spartans, despite a brutal early schedule that saw them open the season with four straight road games (including trips to Arizona State and Kansas State), narrowly missed becoming bowl-eligible in 2007. They finished 5–7 overall but took Sugar Bowl-bound Hawaii to overtime before losing, 42–35.

With 12 returning starters, including four who have received second-team All-WAC honors during their careers, and a much more favorable non-conference schedule, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Spartans back in the hunt for a bowl game this season.

“We’re getting better and we’re making good progress,” Tomey says. “Our guys know what it takes to win and we just need to keep moving forward. … We are far in advance of where we were in 2005.”

Quarterbacks

Finding a replacement for two-year starter Adam Tafralis, who set a school record with 603 career completions, will be the key to San Jose State’s season. “Adam just did a tremendous job,” Tomey says. “He improved more in two years than anybody I’ve ever seen. He never missed a game or a practice.” Luckily Tomey has plenty of options to consider. Junior Myles Eden, a talented runner and the backup to Tafralis each of the past two seasons, is the frontrunner, although senior Sean Flynn figures to get a good look if he earns a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA as expected. Kyle Reed, a junior transfer from Cal, also is in the mix, but he sat out most of spring practice with a broken foot. Junior Chad Bozzo, who also sat out the spring recovering from a shoulder injury, and sophomore Jordan La Secla are the other candidates. Tomey will wait to see who emerges in fall camp.

Running backs

With the early loss of two-time All-WAC running back Yonus Davis to an ankle injury, the Spartans struggled badly in the run game, averaging only 83.8 yards per game on the ground and a pitiful 2.6 yards per carry. Davis suffered the injury on his first carry of the season and finished the year with only three rushing attempts. The Spartans are hopeful that the 5'7", 185-pounder will be granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA this summer. If not, two juniors who saw limited action last season, Dominique Hunsucker and Cameron Island, will likely share the spot. Hunsucker rushed 36 times for 98 yards, while Island had 13 carries for 46 yards. Converted linebacker Chris Reese, a standout on the scout team, and senior Patrick Perry, who sat out 2007 due to knee injury, also could see time.

Receivers

Whoever earns the starting quarterback nod will have a strong group of receivers to throw to. “It’s probably our deepest position,” Tomey says. “It’s the best all-around group we’ve had here.” Junior Kevin Jurovich, a converted safety who came out of nowhere to grab a school-record 85 passes for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns while earning second-team All-WAC honors, returns. Senior David Richmond was seventh in the pass-happy WAC with 55 receptions for 852 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Jalal Beauchman (36 receptions) and 6'5" junior Terrance Williams also return and will be joined by a pair of highly touted redshirt freshmen in Michael Avila and Josh Harrison. Tight end also should be a strength with senior Jeff Clark, a two-year starter who sat out 2007 with a shoulder injury, back along with returning starter Brian Elledge.

Offensive linemen

Tomey believes this young group could form the best unit he’s had at San Jose State. Left tackle Fred Koloto, left guard Isaac Leatiota and right guard Ailao Eliapo all started last year as freshman and should benefit greatly from that experience as well as another year in the weight room. Also back is junior center Ronnie Castillo and his backup, sophomore Robbie Reed. Steve Lightsy, a 2006 Junior College Gridwire All-American who is originally from Hawaii prep powerhouse Kahuku High School, figures to also battle for playing time at guard, while part-time starters Bradis McGriff and Jon Moreno and redshirt freshman Andres Vargas are in the mix for the other starting tackle spot. “I will be disappointed if this isn’t the best offensive line we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Tomey says.

Defensive linemen

This unit, bolstered by the addition of USC transfer and former Parade All-American Jeff Schweiger at end, will be the deepest Tomey has had in his four years in the Silicon Valley. So deep in fact that Justin Cole, a two-year starter at end who had 35 tackles last season, was moved to linebacker in the spring. Three starters return, including senior Jarron Gilbert, a second-team All-WAC performer who can play either tackle or end. Gilbert will likely see more time at tackle, due to the addition of Schweiger, who saw significant action as a true freshman on USC’s 2004 national championship team. Junior Carl Ihenacho, who led the team in sacks with five, returns at the other end spot, while junior Adonis Davis returns at the other tackle spot.

Linebackers

Tomey must replace two talented starters in Matt Castelo, a first-team All-WAC pick who finished sixth in the nation in tackles per game (11.8), and Demetrius Jones, who wasn’t far behind with 9.2. However, the cupboard is hardly bare at the position with no fewer than 15 players competing for playing time. That group includes junior Ryno Gonzalez, a part-time starter at outside linebacker, and Cole, who is battling converted fullback Mohamed Marah for a starting inside spot. Sophomore Duke Ihenacho, who had 32 tackles and four pass breakups, also returns to man the hybrid safety/outside linebacker position. He was one of the stars of spring practice. Senior Andrew Ryan (51 tackles) and sophomore Pompey Festejo will share the other outside linebacker spot.

Defensive backs

The Spartans must replace All-American Dwight Lowery at corner, but Tomey feels there will be little, if any, drop-off in the secondary. That’s because Coye Francies, a senior transfer from Oregon State who was a part-time starter at corner for the Beavers after earning first team Junior College All-America honors, will take over at Lowery’s spot. “I think he can do it,” Tomey says when asked if Francies can replace Lowery. “I don’t think there will be a drop-off.” Francies was dismissed by Oregon State for possession of a loaded firearm. However, charges were later dismissed, and Tomey said Beavers coach Mike Riley gave the corner a solid recommendation. Francies, also a talented return man who could see a few snaps on offense, will be joined at corner by returning All-WAC pick Chris Owens, who led the league with six interceptions and has started 25 consecutive games. Sophomore Devin Newsome, who saw some time as a backup corner and starred on special teams, moves over to free safety.

Specialists

Senior Jared Strubeck returns to handle placekicking and kickoff duties for the fourth straight year and is also the frontrunner to take over as the punter. Strubeck’s 30 career field goals rank second in school history. Junior college transfer Philip Zavala could also be an option at punter. 

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