Thursday afternoon news broke of SDSU QB1 Jayden Denegal officially ruled out of the New Mexico Bowl after undergoing surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. Reported by Kirk Kenney, beat writer from the San Diego Union-Tribune, Bert Emmanuel Jr. the teams next QB in line will assume the starting spot vs North Texas.
While the news is a bit of a surprise, it also isn’t. The shoulder injury sustained by Denegal was well known through-out the season where he toughed it out week in and week out. For Denegal this 2025 season was his first in a full-time QB1 capacity in his college years, so no doubt the opportunity to hold onto that spot was paramount.
The Michigan transfer led the team with 1,807 passing yards, 9 TDs and 8 INTs. Today’s news definitely explains a bit of the inconsistency at the position as the season wore on and the offense struggled in the passing game.
For Bert Emmanuel Jr. his season looked very different. Completing 5 of 9 passes for 37 yards, most of his time was spent spelling Denegal in moments through out the season. When Emmanuel was behind center or in the shotgun in at QB, it was much more often a run than a passing play.
Though it’s unfortunate for Denegal missing out on a bowl game opportunity, perhaps a silver lining for both he and the Aztecs program is that it grounds him from being poached away when the transfer portal opens in 2026. For Jayden, it likely solidifies him in the running again for the QB1 spot by having an advantage of a year in the system and being 100% healthy by go time next season.
For SDSU, they might have the luxury of a proven leader and physical talent with Denegal in the fold to compete again. Jayden has the respect of the locker room and knowing he’s there eager to improve and build upon last season is a very worth-wile factor for a program like SDSU.
For Emmanuel Jr. it also serves him and the program very well. The added snaps, practice, and real game day opportunity will only sharpen his abilities long term in the offense and also likely keep him on the Mesa or show suitors his skill set for the portal next season. All of this is only a good thing moving forward in a non-CFB playoff situation. Sadly these are the thoughts everyone cannot avoid to consider when situations like this arise.
Other Aztecs Possibly Out
Chris Johnson has received some inquiry to his status of the bowl game and has reportedly not been active in any of the practices leading up to bowl week. His accolades of All-American status have been rolling in over the last two weeks and certainly building up his NFL Draft stock.
With all the recovery from the season’s injuries of which Johnson missed one game for, it wouldn’t be any surprise to officially receive word very soon of his not being available. Definitely can’t blame the young man for that business decision if so.
The other starting CB Bryce Phillips has not officially declared himself unavailable, but reports online suggest he has not participated in any physical activity at practices this week as well.
Other notable players definitely not participating in the bowl game are both defensive edge rushers, August Salvati and Jared Badie, who have both declared for the transfer portal since the departure of DC Rob Aurich and Edges coach Roy Manning.
North Texas
On the North Texas sideline, former head coach Eric Morris is now headed to Oklahoma State. Their redshirt freshman phenom QB1 Drew Mestermaker is largely considered to transfer out of the program to follow. No official ruling on his availability for the bowl game has been made on his part just yet—but the prospects look dim.
All the changes, departures, and shake-ups that come from a successful season creates a chance to see both the young players and coaches in new expanded capacity is what this is all about. To evaluate these next men up is pretty important to HC Sean Lewis and GM Caleb Davis in order to move forward and address their needs properly for 2026.
SDSU will need all the advantages and perceived advantages they can get heading into the New Pac-12 conference where competition, resources, and expectations will certainly be heightened.
In the end this New Mexico Bowl will serve many purposes, but winning the game will not be the most crucial.
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