SDSU’s March to Fall Camp – #4: Aztecs Defense Will Need to Perform at Highest Level

SDSU Football’s Fall Camp begins Tuesday, July 29th. This week Sons of Montezuma takes a closer look at a few select storylines that will take place in the competition fueled time to shaping the depth chart.

San Diego State’s defense has long been the program’s foundation, built on physicality, pressure, and discipline. The mentality from then head coach and defensive guru Rocky Long echoes in the minds of each player that took step on that practice field during his tenure.

‘Don’t be soft’.

It’s the worst. The fear of being called out for being soft is a very simple tactic, but oh so effective. Especially when it’s coming from a coach you long admire or really want to shut-up and prove wrong. Either way, you’re putting your best forward to not be given that label by your peers.

But in 2024, that identity took a hit.

Or did it?

In the first year under head coach Sean Lewis and then new defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt, the Aztecs’ defense endured one of its worst statistical seasons in recent memory. Now entering 2025, the unit is retooled, more experienced, and eager to restore the standard that once made SDSU one of the most feared defenses in the Mountain West.

Last season, the Aztecs allowed 29.6 points per game, ranking 11th in the Mountain West and outside the top 100 nationally in total defense. The run defense, once a consistent strength, collapsed late in the year—giving up 274 rushing yards per game in the month of November alone. Opponents exploited SDSU up front, controlling the clock and keeping the Aztec offense off the field.

While the defense did tally 32 sacks—surprisingly good for middle of the pack in the conference—it forced just 7 interceptions. Clearly it was a season of missed opportunities and not being able to turn pressure into momentum-changing plays.

In nearly every major category, the Aztecs finished in the bottom third of the Mountain West.

This year, the Aztecs return a more seasoned core and a clearer identity than what they opened with last season. Defensive end Trey White, a 2024 All-Mountain West selection, anchors the line and will lead a front seven that expects to be faster, deeper, and more aggressive.

Coach Schmidt has moved on to his alma mater at the University of North Dakota as head coach. Stepping in to the SDSU DC role will be last years edges coach, Rob Aurich. With more stability in the 4–2–5 system under Aurich, the defense should be focused on returning to fundamentals: stopping the run, creating pressure, and forcing turnovers.

So how do we place that improved focus in tangible terms? The staff’s internal goal should at least be to climb back to the middle tier of the conference in key defensive categories. If the unit can lower opponent scoring to around 24–26 points per game, they could finish as high as 6th or 7th in the Mountain West—up from 11th a year ago.

With a healthy offseason and new talent added across the depth chart, is it too optimistic to think the defense can take a leap forward? We don’t think so.

The return of multiple starters like Linebacker Tano Letuli, Eric Butler II, Krishna Clay, Bryce Phillips, Chris Johnson, Brady Anderson, should fortify tons of leadership among the ranks. Along with a deeper rotation of newcomers ready to make a difference like Josiah Cox, Mister Williams, and Malachi Finau will allow more flexibility against the Mountain West’s increasingly spread-out offenses.

The 2025 Aztec defense may not be as dominant as some of the units from those Rocky Long or Brady Hoke eras, but it’s trending in the right direction. Trey White and company are expected to set the tone up front, while an experienced secondary will aim to improve its ball-hawking instincts.

Perhaps most importantly, the players and coaches have really shown that they are aligned on one goal: restoring the pride in the black and red defense that used to suffocate opponents week after week.

While there is just no sugar coating in football it’s important to note that regardless of the stats, rankings, and all the analytics minutiae, this defense last season overall had this team in more winnable situations than not. In a game of inches the defense always gave a fighting chance. But almost doesn’t count, especially when going up against such great defenses of their program’s past.

If the Aztecs can reach that standard again, it will go a long way in supporting their new-look, high-tempo offense and giving SDSU the balance it really missed in 2024.