SDSU’s March to Fall Camp – #2: Aztecs Offensive Line is Rebuilt and Ready

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.

Coming into 2024 the SDSU offensive line appeared to be an experienced group that would instill Coach Lewis’ AztecFast offense. By the end of the season it was definitely more of a work in progress. A run heavy group that had some successes in certain areas, but was not deep and definitely not able to be dominant.

Now in 2025 it may be seen as one of the most intriguing units in the Mountain West and has potential to turn things around for the offense very quickly. The upside is there—here’s exactly why.

Personnel Changes

The core group of starters from last year are returning. First off #63 Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli is back as the team’s captain at the center position. Coach Lewis loves him at that spot not only for his imposing physical nature, but his ability to lead his teammates inside and out of the locker room.

Joe Borjon the big 6’8″ 330 lb transfer from Arizona, started SDSU’s opener in 2024 but suffered a season-ending knee injury. He’s now fully healthy and slated to start for this unit in the trenches in 2025.

Christian Jones the other 6’8″ 330 pounder, enters into his 5th season on the Mesa and looks to capitalize on his senior status in both physical maturity and experience.

This core group of returning lineman have a full year undergoing Coach Lewis’ style of coaching, the scheme, and his off season conditioning regiments. They also know the rigors of Mountain West play.

Ulugalu-Maseuli who spoke this last week at the Mountain West Media days summed up his outlook coming into the fall. “I feel great about going into the season, the Spring ball that we had, and the Summer that we’re having. Adding in a sixth or seventh lineman that won’t miss a beat and especially adding in all those wide receivers and running backs I feel like we’ll have a good threat going on offense. I trust both quarterbacks with my life.”

Additions from the Portal

Five additions from the transfer portal make their way to the Aztecs this off season and really look to be the kind of fits that Sean Lewis and offensive line coach Mike Schmidt have a united liking for.

Boosting depth with senior Dallas Fincher (Michigan State), senior Kalan Ellis (Syracuse), senior Abayomi Kannike (Utah Tech), and Michael Watkins (Washington) join the interior rotation. All guys have multiple years playing ball at programs that the Aztecs staff have familiarity with either personally or schematic wise.

And boy are they big. A focus on the O-Line is beefing up as big as possible and we are not complaining one bit. To get to the quarterback this season you’re going to need to get past one of the largest groups in the Mountain West top to bottom. Now wether this will translate well for the AztecFast offensive system and it’s high tempo, play volume, is yet to be seen.

But again, take Kalan Ellis for example, being a player for coach Mike Schmidt perviously, there is familiarity there under then head coach Dino Babers. Lewis’ offense is a derivative of that system and should be able to seamlessly integrate with effectiveness.

Final Outlook

Coach Lewis has ‘selected this hand’ of lineman—as opposed to last year somewhat just playing the hand he was dealt. Having a full off season to analyze and strategize ahead for what this team needs to succeed from the point of attack in the trenches, is huge.

To be confident as coach that your instruction will get communicated to the guys you know can receive it and understand fully, is the first half of the battle. By all accounts, it appears coach Lewis & Schmidt now have that in these new players and are at that stage of learning with the returning players.

With all of this depth, it is a night & day difference when looking at this unit as opposed to last season. Not only are they bigger and more experienced, but they will also be blocking and protecting for bigger and more experienced half backs and quarterbacks.

Now while some skill position players are so talented that they can make every unit on the field appear better than they are at times, there is no shortcuts to football. A team’s real long-term success is not only based on one player or position group. Every unit has their job to do that leads to the ultimate success of the play.

In conclusion, this unit’s ability to gel early in Fall Camp and most importantly stay healthy is challenge number one. If this group can avoid the injury bug and work together, they will set this offense up for success to improve on all fronts. And that will set up the chance to be one of the most improved lines in the Mountain West Conference.