We here at Sons of Montezuma are putting into focus our top San Diego State Aztecs football players for you to to know in the upcoming 2025 season. Next up is OL Dallas Fincher.
- Name: Dallas Fincher
- Position: Offensive Lineman/Left Guard
- Class: Senior
- Height/Weight: 6’4″, 315 lbs
- Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Previous School: Michigan State
We’ve said it before in this list already, but the 2025 San Diego State Aztecs offense is undergoing a bit of a readjustment from last season under head coach Sean Lewis. One of the most pivotal pieces to that evolution is left guard Dallas Fincher.
A redshirt senior transfer from Michigan State, Fincher brings experience, toughness, and a Big Ten pedigree to the SDSU offensive line unit. That unit is being tasked with re-laying the foundation for a more aggressive offense that is truly AztecFast.
Fincher wasn’t always in the spotlight during his time as a Spartan, but his presence in the trenches could be one that stands out at San Diego State. If he truly does attain the starting role, as expected by some, and the Aztecs end up successful the name Fincher may be automatically tied to that improvement.
From all accounts, Fincher thrives in the run game. His stout lower body and ability to generate movement off the ball give him a Big Ten caliber point of attack. He plays with a low pad level, allowing him to win leverage battles and open interior rushing lanes — a critical trait in the Aztecs’ zone and gap schemes.
Having played in the physical Big Ten, Fincher brings a veteran presence to SDSU’s offensive line. His knowledge of defensive fronts and ability to make pre-snap adjustments should enhance the cohesion of the interior line, especially when paired with center Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli.
Fincher is known for his gritty, hard-nosed style. He finishes blocks, brings a physical edge to every snap, and his aggressive demeanor hopefully can set a tone. That intensity can make him a leader in the locker room and a key communicator along the line.
But while powerful, Fincher isn’t the fleetest of foot however. Against faster interior pass rushers or in extended space on screens, we’ll have to see if he can fair better against Mountain West caliber opponents. This could be a concern in Coach Lewis’ up-tempo, lateral-spread concepts. In one-on-one pass situations, particularly against quick swim or spin moves, he’ll need to continue refining his fundamentals against those pass rushers.
Coming from a more pro-style system at Michigan State, Fincher will still need to adapt to the rapid tempo that San Diego State is attempting to run. Maintaining conditioning and communication under hurry-up conditions will be critical for his performance in 2025.
Coach Lewis will rely on Fincher to hold down the interior against blitz-heavy defenses and help keep the offensive rhythm consistent. As SDSU transitions into a more dynamic, spread-oriented identity, Fincher’s blend of toughness and experience will be essential in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
Dallas Fincher might not appear on preseason highlight reels, but if he stays healthy and adapts fully to the up-tempo system, he could really help anchor a line that allows SDSU’s new-look offense to flourish and lead a resurgence in the trenches and the stands at Snapdragon Stadium.
Stay tuned as we list more crucial Aztec Warriors that will be looking to make a big impact this 2025 season. The list isn’t in any specific order—but let us know in the comments what you think of each player as the list unfolds.
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