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 kicks off its 2025 fall camp next week, all eyes will be on the quarterback position. There have been some special runs and exciting moments at the position the last few seasons—Jalen Mayden’s surprise defense turned to offense season and the Lucas Johnson/Jordan Brookshire tandem come to mind.
But overall the captain’s chair of the offense has been a role filled with much to be desired—especially knowing there are so many gunslingers here in California.
Well this season the Aztecs program has reached back to the Great Lakes state of Michigan to bring in two new contestants in the SDSU QB1 Competition.
The battle between Jayden Denegal and Bert Emanuel Jr. will be one of the most closely watched storylines for the Aztecs as they enter the second full season under head coach Sean Lewis.
Both signal-callers bring intriguing skill sets to the table, and while their styles differ, each offers something that align with Lewis’s high-octane offensive approach.
Jayden Denegal: The Steady Hand
A transfer from Michigan, Denegal actually is a California kid who played his high school ball way in the outskirts of Apple Valley. Jayden enters fall camp with an early edge after a productive spring. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, he brings prototypical size and a strong arm that suits a traditional pocket-passing game.
Coaches have praised Denegal for his ability to quickly pick up the new offensive system and his composure under pressure. His reads and decision-making have been more consistent than his competition, which has helped him build early trust within the program.
Denegal may not wow with his legs, but his frame and pocket presence offer a reliable foundation for a team seeking efficiency and rhythm in Lewis’s tempo-driven offense.
This past week the old Chargers team led by their head coach and Denegal’s former head coach at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, brought his NFL team to San Diego for their preseason workouts. Harbaugh got his head coaching started right down the freeway at the University of San Diego.
Notably present at the practices was SDSU head coach Sean Lewis. Perhaps picking up some valuable insight as to what Coach Harbaugh could offer when working with Jayden was being talked about for a few minutes. Either way, while it’s annoying to see the Chargers back in town, if it helps gain some insight for the Aztecs QB1 spot—carry on.
Bert Emanuel Jr.: The Electric Playmaker
In contrast, Emanuel Jr., a transfer from Central Michigan, brings a dynamic dual-threat profile. Known for his explosive running ability, he rushed for over 800 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career with the Chippewas.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Emanuel is a powerful, agile runner capable of breaking big plays with his legs—something San Diego State hasn’t featured under center in years.
While his arm strength and accuracy are still developing, his athleticism and raw playmaking ability give him a ceiling that could force coaches to create packages or even reconsider their offensive identity if he wins the job.
Being consistent is the key for Emanuel Jr. in his odds of winning the QB1 spot. Mix in the dash for electricity that he is known for having, and you may have a close race coming down to opening night vs Stoneybrook.
Where They Align
Though the two quarterbacks performed just two and a half hours between each other last year, the two programs they came from are like night & day.
Denegal has the experience of going through a National Championship winning season, with a power conference team at the University of Michigan. No doubt it’s the biggest stage you can perform on—or in Denegal’s case practice in. The situational awareness and knowledge of what it takes to win it all is invaluable. But that won’t seal the job.
Emanuel Jr. comes from Central Michigan last year, who despite having a loyal following around the MAC is not on the same level in state of competition and depth. But that may not be a knock at all. The sense of familiarity for Coach Lewis and staff obviously helped in their evaluation of Emanuel Jr. enough to go after him in the transfer portal.
Despite their differences, both quarterbacks fit the mold of what Sean Lewis wants: size, mobility, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced offense. They’re both intelligent, motivated players who have quickly adapted to their new environment.
With neither having taken a snap for SDSU yet, the coaching staff is keeping the competition open and transparent as fall camp begins.
Sean Lewis Turning the Page?
This quarterback battle also marks a notable shift in offensive philosophy for Sean Lewis. During his time as head coach at Kent State, Lewis ran a similar uptempo scheme but leaned more heavily on traditional pass-first quarterbacks. At SDSU, however, both Denegal and Emanuel Jr. bring a dual-threat element that could push Lewis to evolve his system further.
Lewis’s previous offenses thrived on speed and volume, often running 75–80 plays per game. But at SDSU, with a stronger run game and a more physical defense, his offense could emphasize quarterback mobility and ball control more than in past seasons.
Last season with true freshman Danny O’Neil running the show, Lewis didn’t have the ability of a running threat from his QB due to the nagging injuries sustained by O’Neil. As a result a very high amount of carries to RB Marquez Cooper was heavily leaned on. If Emanuel Jr. were to start, for example, it would represent one of the most run-oriented quarterbacks Lewis has coached and give the Aztecs those multiple options that he wants with the AztecFast.
At this point, Jayden Denegal appears to be the early favorite heading into fall camp, thanks to his experience, decision-making, and command of the offense. But Bert Emanuel Jr.’s athleticism and game-changing potential make this a true competition that could extend deep into August.
Regardless of who wins the job, one thing is clear: the quarterback position at San Diego State in 2025 will look vastly different than in recent years—and even different from what Sean Lewis ran at Kent State. For Aztecs fans, whether optimistic or skeptical, that’s a reason to be excited.
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3 Responses
We need whoever will be the most accurate passer. Period. They both have size, and I assume they both can run. Who is the most accurate should get the nod. Go State!
What about the returning quarterbacks? Are they completely out of the picture? It’s a shame if they are. I hate this transfer era, but I guess there’s no changing it.
We need to make sure Number 2 gets play time this year, and I like the idea of giving both time per game, unless one is on an absolute tear.