Another Aztecs victory means another chance to highlight some big performances. This week the Sons of Montezuma Warrior Spotlight is set upon Quarterback Jayden Denegal, WR Jordan Napier, and Kicker Gabriel Plascencia, after SDSU’s 45-24 victory over Colorado State.
Warrior #1 QB Jayden Denegal
This was the game that Denegal got his wings. Or as we like to phrase it, the Air Denegal game.
After a rough offensive showing on the road vs Northern Illinois, Denegal came out razor sharpe against the Rams. Denegal threw 13 of 16 completions and racked up 256 yards with two touchdowns. His performance was full of highlights throwing the deep ball, connecting twice on explosive plays to both Donovan Brown and Jordan Napier in the first half.
But it was his ability to pick apart the defense all night long that really made this Aztecs victory his best to date. Standing tall in the pocket and placing his deep, intermediate, and short passes accurately all night long. Credit to the offensive line and Ross Maseuli for protecting him all game long in order to do so.
Denegal’s performance wasn’t a high volume passing attack as much as it was his balanced leadership and playmaking. Both picking apart the defense in the pass game, but also checking the defense and adjusting his offensive lines coverages against a Rams defense that blitzed even on running plays.
For all of this effectiveness Denegal was graded highest among G5 QBs in the nation. Definitely a great sign for the quarterback making just his sixth start upcoming against Nevada this weekend. It was a spring board type of game that could begin to pay off major dividends as the season progresses.
Upcoming against the Wolf Pack will hold a lot of expectations for a repeat type of performance and it’s not outlandish to think he and the offense can’t do it again. Denegal has the size, athleticism, and IQ to be a playmaker in all areas of the game, including with his legs.
“He has the tools, he has the skill.” says Head Coach Sean Lewis Monday afternoon. “So even though there wasn’t that in-game expertise, so to speak, that was just because of a lack of opportunity. I mean, he sat behind a guy who was a top 10 draft pick at Michigan and is doing some really good things when healthy in the league.”
Denegal is no stranger to the big games and the big stage in his high school years and then being a part of a National Championship team at Michigan. Coach Lewis factored that and more when it came to evaluating and eventually recruiting Denegal for the quarterback competition.
I mean, a lot has changed since high school from a physical makeup and everything, but yeah, … he got the state championship game before he got injured. Like he’s been in big games. Anyone can put together a good highlight tape. I want to turn on the game tape and … like what does all of his third down throws look like? What do all of his red zone throws look like? What does it look like when he’s got a three technique cut loose in his face and does he stand in there or does he bug out? Like all those things matter.
“And again, like he’s a physically imposing young man. I mean, he’s he’s well put together and you know, one of the best pieces of information that we got on him was the head strength and conditioning coach at Michigan, Ben Herbert, who’s now with Harbaugh at the Chargers, was my strength and conditioning coach when I was at Wisconsin. And when Herbs gave him the vote of confidence like, “Hey, Lew, he’s one of he’s one of your guys. Like he’ll fit right in. He’s got the right makeup, you know, like that was a huge deal for me.“
If Denegal can focus in on the opponent’s tendencies as he did against CSU, Aztecs fans might be looking at a very exciting rest of the season.
Warrior #2 WR Jordan Napier
Wide receiver Jordan Napier snagged 7 catches for 153 yards and 1 touchdown and continues to be a big focal point for the offense. Receiving touches both in the passing game, hand offs, and punt returning, it is clear Lewis wants the ball in his hands as often as possible.
Aside from RB Lucky Sutton, there is no other player on the roster that receives more touches intentionally than Napier. The Aztecs combination of Denegal, Napier and Sutton led the way for the unit earning the highest-graded offense in Week 6 surpassing even Ohio State and UCLA’s shocking upset win over Penn State.
Napier’s production numbers and gritty performances validate his large personality and passion on the field. The leader of the wide out room was all but gone this off season as he entered the transfer portal before deciding to return to SDSU. That decision changed everything for this Aztecs offense.
SDSU’s 3-9 season in 2024 was a bad environment for the redshirt freshman. But rather than allowing the bad situation to change him, Napier chose to change the bad situation. He did it by being a leader with influence on and off the field.
With the Aztecs appearing to have a passing game built around Napier and his intention on shouldering the responsibility of the unit, the attention Napier gets from opposing defenses has increased. Good thing SDSU has been very well complemented by his fellow wideouts making crucial catches in timely spots. If they can continue to compliment his abilities, there appears to be no slowing of Jordan Napier’s ascension.
Warrior #3 Kicker Gabriel Plascencia
When you break school records, you are definitely a Warrior to be in the spotlight. Gabriel Plascencia broke the SDSU consecutive field goal mark when he nailed a 53 yard canon early in the third quarter vs Colorado State. The pre-season Mountain West special teams player of the year pick is now elevating himself towards the Lou Groza Award recognition, an award to the nation’s top plac-kicker.
Plascencia has excelled in all areas of place kicking this season including kick-off duties, which are rarely returned out of the end zone. His size and build has often received attention as well, not being the smaller kind of guy the game is used to.
Perhaps being a lefty kicker and his full frame will only further his case for being a durable player at the next level. With room to grow in his skills, something tells us even more highlights and achievements are soon to come for the Aztecs specialist.
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