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 Center, Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli.
Name: Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli
Position: Center, Guard
Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 6’4” / 330 lbs
Hometown: San Diego, California
Previous Schools: Mater Dei Catholic (Santa Ana, CA)
Ok, so here we go. We’ve come to the end of our Top SDSU Players to keep an eye on list and it seems fitting to end with this standout player. As the anchor of San Diego State’s offensive line, Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli enters his senior season with both big experience and big expectations.
Ross has been through it all in his time as a football player. Truth be told many of the young guys in Southern California these days can say the same. Through the pandemic that affected everyone’s high school careers and college decisions, Ross chose the Aztecs after spending his final high school season at Mater Dei’s monster machine in Santa Ana, California.
But Ross has been rocking with SDSU from day one. Earning a 3-star ranking out of high school, he redshirted his first year with the Aztecs during that great 2021 season up in Carson, CA. Through all the changes, ups and downs, Ross has been a consistent force on the line—learning and elevating his game.
A multi-year starter for the Aztecs, he has been a leading presence in the trenches, providing stability at not one but two of the most critical positions on the field, center and guard. His combination of size, strength, and football IQ makes him a cornerstone for SDSU’s offensive strategy in 2025.
Ulugalu-Maseuli has exceptional lower-body strength, allowing him to drive defenders off the ball in run-blocking situations. Using his size and leverage especially gives SDSU an advantage in short-yardage scenarios and the Aztecs plan on being in many of those this season.
Having started multiple seasons dating back to his freshman year, he brings a deep understanding of defensive fronts and blitz packages. As the center, he’s responsible for making protection calls — a role he handles with confidence and precision.
With his wide frame and strong base, Ulugalu-Maseuli rarely gets pushed backward. He can absorb bull rushes and maintain a clean pocket for the quarterback. Both of those strengths will be put to the test with two new QBs figuring to take the starting snaps behind him.
While powerful, he’s not the fastest in side-to-side movement, which can be tested against quicker interior defenders or stunt-heavy defensive lines. With the new quarterbacks both being very skilled in moving the pocket and abled runners if a play breaks down, the job for Ulugalu-Maseuli should be aided a bit.
“The work that Coach Schmidt has done with our recruiting staff, and the support of the community, we have the resources that are needed to go get the big bodies that are at a premium.” detailed Coach Lewis this week after practice. “I mean, the good Lord only made so many people that are big, fast, and strong with the size and the talent that we’ve accumulated, right?”
Ulugalu-Maseuli is expected to be the foundation of SDSU’s rebuilt offensive line in 2025. The program has brought in various new additions through the transfer portal to fortify the work done in the trenches.
“And then there’s just the raw numbers that as we stood here a year ago, there was only 9 scholarship guys.” Coach Lewis continued. “We have 15 scholarship guys (this year) … I feel a heck of a lot more comfortable … That’s a whole hell of a lot of mass that’s going to kick some ass this year and I’m pretty fired up about that.”
The new offensive line is Ross’s to conduct when on and off the field. But his role goes beyond blocking — as the center, he’s the communication hub, ensuring the unit adjusts to defensive shifts and pressure looks. As well as being united in their leadership for the rest of the team.
Penalties have been an issue in years past with the unit. With this group now led by upperclassmen, this shouldn’t be a plague moving forward in the season.
With a run-heavy offense under Sean Lewis, his ability to set the tone in an efficient manner at the line of scrimmage will be vital to sustaining drives and controlling game tempo. If Ross can fine-tune his lateral agility and maintain pad level throughout games, Ulugalu-Maseuli has the potential to be an All-Mountain West selection and help SDSU reestablish a dominant running attack this season.
And Coach Lewis knows it.
“We’re spoiled with the talent. We’re spoiled having Ross and his understanding of the system—Christian as well. And obviously Joe coming back.”
We’ve all heard it said before, that games are won and lost in the trenches. For this 2025 SDSU football season to be a success, that saying will hold true. It will be placed on the foundation that Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli can set the tone for the offense to do their share.
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.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
