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 Edge, Trey White.
Name: Trey White
Position: Defensive Edge
Class: Junior (RS)
Height/Weight: 6’2” / 235 lbs
Hometown: San Diego, California
Previous Schools: Eastlake High → San Diego State University
Let’s establish one thing first & foremost—we would normally open up this analysis of Trey White by claiming that he is just a straight up dawg.
But we’re not fond of dawgs round these parts. No, we leave the barking for that team up north in the Valley.
Trey White, he’s a Warrior … he’s a San Diegan … he’s an AZTEC … and he wears the San Diego State Red & Black.
Don’t you forget it.
Trey White has quickly emerged as one of college football’s most dominant edge rushers. Cornerstone of the San Diego State defense, the 6’2”, 245-pound redshirt junior from Chula Vista, California, tied for third in single-season sacks in program history with 12.5 in 2024.
There have been many great Aztecs defenders who have entered the halls of Montezuma Mesa. Fred Dryer, Willie Buchanon, La’Roi Glover, and Cam Thomas just to name a few. Trey White’s performance last season—in the face of all the heartache on the field—from start to finish was the kind of play for an SDSU defender that really made you proud to be an Aztec.
His monstrous output was so good, it was enough to rank him fifth nationally in sacks and earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors as well as midseason All-American recognition. But perhaps most importantly, he earned the right for you to remember his name.
In 2024 White wore #47 on his jersey—not exactly the most memorable number for a dominant defensive figure. He was positioned as a linebacker in the previous 3-3-5 defense and when Coach Lewis & staff came in they knew they ‘had something there‘.
When the change to a 4-2-5 scheme took place the staff lined him up as the EDGE defender so he could focus more on getting after the quarterback—and boy did he ever.
White’s greatest asset is his elite pass-rushing. He not only led SDSU with 12.5 sacks in 2024, but also dominated a four-game stretch where he racked up 10.5 of them, averaging 1.83 sacks per game—a pace that threatened NCAA records.
He also recorded 18.5 tackles for loss (seventh nationally) and 10 quarterback hurries, showing off not just size but timing, burst, and a constant motor. He earned being named a team captain as a sophomore, White’s leadership is noted both on and off the field, and he was voted Mountain West preseason Defensive Player of the Year for 2025.
Preseason accolades and media recognition are all amped up for this new season. Once again White will be the anchor of San Diego State’s front seven this fall. He’s expected to lead the conference in sacks again, push for national recognition, and be a key force in SDSU’s evolution under new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich.
He will be relied upon to deliver pressure, disrupt interior blocking, and inspire teammates. Sound like a lot? Well it is. With great performances come greater expectations and though his pass-rush production is elite, White will also need to show more disruption in the run defense. Improving his ability to set the edge consistently against the run would elevate his stock as a complete defender even more.
But in a crowded Mountain West, maintaining consistency and avoiding double teams will be a challenge as opponents game-plan specifically to neutralize his impact. This is when the rest of the defensive front will need to elevate their game to find ways of counter-effectiveness when the offense over compensates for White’s presence on the line.
Lastly, there’s much to be said for the intangibles that Trey brings as a leader. White’s loyalty to the SDSU program, it’s coaches and supporters truly reinforces his value to the whole culture of what it means to be an Aztec Warrior. Even after his breakout season, he chose to remain in San Diego State’s program and continue working under Coach Aurich rather than pursue other opportunities—and you know after such a dominant season there had to be plenty of them.
That is the kind of figure you support. That’s the kind of homegrown talent you pay money to watch each Saturday.
If Trey can elevate his run defense and avoid late-season fatigue, he may lead the Mountain West once more in tackles for loss and set himself up for potential NFL franchises who will be taking interest what’s going on at Snapdragon Stadium this season.
Despite the odd number on the jersey, Trey forced you to remember who he is by his ferocious play on the field. In 2025 he will raise the stakes even higher by switching to #2 on the uniform, forcing himself to earn your recognition. It may take you a few minutes to get reacquainted with the new look, but you better believe opposing offenses will be sure to know exactly who #2 is and where he’s at on the field, at all times.
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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