It’s a new day in San Diego, and while it may always be sunny there, the arrival of first-year head coach Sean Lewis ushers in a new era of San Diego State Aztec football. Lewis has brought in a slew of players, so who are the top 10 players that will help the Aztecs improve in 2024?
San Diego State Aztecs Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal era. As such, we’ve included transfer portal athletes who were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
*Danny O’Neil, Quarterback
We’re including Danny O’Neil on this list because he was technically on the roster in the spring despite being a true freshman going into the 2024 season. More importantly, he was named the starter coming out of camp as well, which makes him a valuable piece.
O’Neil is the first true freshman starter at SDSU since the 1969 season, and he brings a deep résumé to the field. He led Indiana Cathedral High School to a couple of state championship appearances with one state title. He also holds every passing record at the school, with 8,000 career yards and 99 touchdown passes.
O’Neil’s mettle will be tested, but for Lewis, he’s the man.
10) Mekhi Shaw, Wide Receiver
A former walk-on who began his career at SDSU as a defensive back, Mekhi Shaw returns as a senior for the Aztecs in 2024 with a loaded résumé at the wide receiver position. He was honorable mention All-MWC in 2023 and was named San Diego State’s Offensive Player of the Year as well.
Shaw’s stats after two years of regular playing time tell the story — 61 receptions for 766 yards and five touchdowns. He’s a weapon who will need a quarterback to use him effectively because the skill is there. Shaw is speedy and elusive and can go get the ball despite standing 5’11” and weighing 187 pounds.
9) Eric Butler, Safety
The junior safety from Corona Centennial has been impressive since setting foot on campus in 2022. At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, Eric Butler is great for the position and has plenty of experience with SDSU, having played in over 20 games for the program.
Butler’s stats back up that play. Last season, he had 21 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack on defense. He also blocked two punts and was a bona fide star on special teams, a typical sign of a player ready to pop in terms of talent.
8) Tupu Alualu, Defensive Tackle
Another arrival via the transfer portal, the big-bodied Tupu Alualu returns for the Aztecs as he looks to lead the middle of the Aztecs’ defense in his senior year. The former junior college player had a good year in 2023, starting every game for SDSU and amassing 28 tackles, four TFLs, and three sacks.
Alualu plays much bigger than his already solid 6’1″ and 280-pound frame. He’s able to control the gaps in run support and apply pressure in the passing game, so he’ll see more snaps for the Aztecs as they look to beef up their defense in 2024.
7) Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, Center
A big mover at the critical center position, Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli started the entire season at right guard for San Diego State in 2022 before moving to the middle last year. He missed two games due to injury but played well enough to earn the starting job before getting hurt.
The Aztecs want to establish the run as they look to better last season’s 4-8 record, and at 6’4″ and 320 pounds, Big Ross should be a big help in that regard. The former Mater Dei star brings leadership and program experience to the table as well.
6) Marlem Louis, EDGE
A hearty transfer from Richmond, where he played five seasons and amassed 110 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and forced seven fumbles. Marlem Louis also helped lead Richmond to a share of the 2023 Coast Athletic Association title and back-to-back playoff appearances.
Louis brings great size at 6’3″ and 255 pounds, and his leadership on and off the field will be a critical part of defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt’s program. Having a former first-team All-CAA selection to rush the quarterback should allow the Aztecs to improve on the 18 sacks they tallied in 2023.
5) Jaylon Armstead, Running Back
Jaylon Armstead returns for the Aztecs as the second-leading rusher in 2023. His 103 carries for 448 yards and a solid eight touchdowns make him a great complementary back to whoever else takes the lead from the three-headed monster amongst him, Kenan Christon, and Marquez Cooper.
At 5’11” and 222 pounds, Armstead is a load and is dominant in short-yardage and red-zone situations, which will be key for the Aztecs this fall. If SDSU can get some leads early, there could be a heavy dose of the hulkish senior from Serra High School in Los Angeles.
4) Bennett Walker, Defensive Back
Bennett Walker spent a year at Eastern Michigan, where he made an appearance in all 13 games for the Eagles. His 23 tackles, five pass breakups, and three interceptions bring production to a defense that could use a boost.
Walker is a local; he spent two years at San Diego Mesa before going to Eastern Michigan. His homecoming should bode well for an Aztec program that wants to build a strong brand under a new head coach. At 6’0″ and 190 pounds, Walker has the size to be a versatile starter, which gives the Aztecs a strong leg up on depth.
3) Michael Harrison, Tight End
Michael Harrison followed new head coach Lewis from Colorado, and his arrival in San Diego is perfect for an offense that must replace their leading pass catcher at tight end in Mark Redman.
A former walk-on for Colorado, Harrison played in all 12 games for the Buffs in 2023 and had a monster game against Colorado State. He finished the season with 31 receptions for 284 yards and five touchdowns but will likely play a big role in the new offense going into the 2024 season.
2) Bryce Phillips, San Diego State
The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III, Bryce arrived in San Diego State via the transfer portal from Tennessee State, where he started 22 games and was named to second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference in 2022.
Phillips’ career numbers of 68 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 18 pass breakups speak to the level of physicality he brings to the field as a 6’0″, 195-pound athlete. He has the ability to play inside or out, and his preseason accolades will help Aztec fans recognize the diamond in the rough that they found.
1) Marquez Cooper, Running Back
Cooper is reuniting with his former head coach after a year at Ball State. The three years the duo spent together were impressive. Cooper was a three-time All-MAC selection, racked up 33 career rushing touchdowns, and had three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
Cooper joins a deep room that includes Armstead and Christon, neither of which hit the 1,000-yard marker in 2023. Thus, he holds a significant edge in that regard, but the trio will only help San Diego State to really establish the run game under Lewis.
They finished bottom half of the conference in 2023, and adding a proven 1,000-yard rusher from a conference that is well-known for power football should give the Aztecs a huge boost.
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