3 Underrated Aztecs Exceeding Expectations at the quarter season mark

San Diego State stands at 2-1 on the early season so far. Three games in and the young season has consisted of one lackluster loss on the road and two dominating shut out victories at home. If you would’ve told me before the season began such would be the case, I would be very excited for that outcome.

Last season’s 3-9 disaster of a year has the chance to be a long distant memory for everyone. This Saturday the Aztecs have the chance to further their bowl game goals when they travel on the road to DeKalb, Illinois and take on the always tough Northern Illinois Huskies.

The match up against the MAC opponent ranked mid-tier as a challenging test in our ranking of the Aztecs football schedule’s toughness o-meter. The Huskies are a much different team that were victorious last season against eventual National Championship runner-up, Notre Damn. This year they have been improving each week.

Improvement was the #1 goal for Coach Lewis coming into 2025. So far, so good in that department. The brotherhood is strong, they’ve kept their confidence, and the competitiveness inside the position groups is as iron sharpens iron to bring the best out of each other.

Here we take a look at a few of the unsung players who at this quarter of the season mark that have elevated their games unexpectedly to us fans, in order to get the Aztecs to this higher elevated play. Let us know who you believe are the most underrated players to show a big step in value to the program.

Jacob Bostick

Jacob Bostick came in to the Aztecs program with some buzz inside the program. The former Iowa and Texas A&M wideout didn’t have much of a fall camp due to injury. Once the season began however the rust has quickly fallen off for the native of Palatine, Illinois.

Through 3 games Bostick has notched 10 catches for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns and only 2nd in targets behind standout Jordan Napier. Though his numbers are solid it’s the athleticism and playmaking ability that has impressed with Bostick’s willingness to go after the ball.

This upcoming Saturday will be a sort of homecoming for himself and Sean Lewis, both being Illinois guys. Lewis recruited Bostick while head coach at Kent State and their families have crossed paths as well. Will this be more of a coming out party for Jacob? Wouldn’t put it that far—however showing improved run blocking could earn him even more increased snaps and opportunities.

We may just be scratching the surface with Bostick catching Denegal passes but so far it’s been a pretty solid surface.

August Salvati

The talk of the defensive line has been none other than August Salvati. The transfer from Florida Atlantic has been relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback and has helped bolster the defensive line—the one unit that has received the most attention in the off season.

While Trey White receives much of the opposing team’s attention and strategic game-planning for—it’s been Salvati who has stepped up to take advantage and reap the benefits. And that’s all to White’s satisfaction. The defense needed another bruiser to step into that tandem role with Trey and so far through 3 games, Salvati has earned 3.5 sacks which leads the team currently.

At 6’3″ 245 the Junior out of Clearwater, Florida Salvati appears to be a throwback to the edge rushers of the Rocky Long years. And that’s just what Rob Aurich’s defense reminded us of with the dismantling of CAL’s well coached offensive unit and their talented freshman QB.

If Salvati can continue his strong pursuit of the quarterback and show up to stop the run, he may start earning comparisons to Aztecs standouts of those Rocky Long decades. We’ll reserve the right to do so just yet, but the future is looking brighter with the addition of UNLV transfer, Tatuo Martinson, last week at the nose tackle position.

Hunter Green

Punter-U is what we are. Face it. Yeah three games in isn’t the biggest sample size, but Hunter Green has already earned Ray Guy Award watch list recognition and after 3 games he is ranked top-20 in punt statistical categories.

With 17 punts and just shy of a 46 yard average this year so far, including FCS play Green had averaged around 45.2 yards per punt for his career. That ranks third among all active FBS and FCS punters. So don’t expect much of a drop off from that standard he has set for himself.

Green the transfer from Northern Colorado, has also knocked some valuable field position changing punts in the defenses favor—most remembered that beauty inside the three last week vs CAL. If he can show that ability on the road this Saturday vs NIU, it will go a long ways in really starting up the hype train. If not, maybe his tall frame at 6’4″ and wearing the famed KGB jersey of #93, he can start knocking the daylights out of opposing punt returners to generate that old Punter-U buzz.