There are 14 returning starters back from a San Jose State team that finished 7-5 overall, but only 10 earn this title: The top returners on the Spartans in 2023, as their season officially begins on August 26 against USC.
San Jose State Spartans Top 10 Returners in 2023
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal area. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
1) Chevan Cordeiro, Quarterback
Chevan Cordeiro, the Hawaii transfer, didn’t take long to establish himself as the clear-cut leader in a deep quarterback room.
The dual-threat went on to throw for a Mountain West Conference-leading 3,250 yards, while combining for 32 touchdowns — 23 through the air. The Honolulu native produced four 300-yard games, including the season-high 366 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl contest versus Eastern Michigan.
He also delivered one 100-yard contest versus UNLV, during which Cordeiro ran for 109 yards while combining for four touchdowns. He’s an early threat for the MWC Offensive Player of the Year nod.
2) Kairee Robinson, Running Back
Cordeiro isn’t the only Spartan on the early MWC OPOY award watch list.
Kairee Robinson, now a senior, rumbled his way to 10 rushing touchdowns and led the way with 752 rushing yards.
The 5’7″, 189-pound Robinson was considered a prized Bay Area recruit on the recruiting trail out of the renowned high school powerhouse De La Salle of Concord for the 2018 class. He could be in for his first 1,000-yard season running behind an experienced offensive line that brings back four of five starters.
3) Justin Lockhart, Wide Receiver
Had it not been for the “Cookie Monster” and Nevada transfer, Elijah Cooks (now with the Jacksonville Jaguars), Justin Lockhart would’ve been the top wide receiving option.
Lockhart finished second to Cooks with 36 receptions and 578 yards. Although the junior averaged more yards at 16.1 compared to Cooks’ 15.6 and owns the longest reception from scrimmage at 82 from last year.
At 6’3″, Lockhart already brings size mismatches for opposing cornerbacks and is anticipated to see an increase in production this fall.
4) Byrun Parham, Linebacker
Now we get to our first defender — and the one who will likely have to establish himself as the new leader in the absence of Cade Hall, Kyle Harmon, and day three NFL Draft pick Villiami Fehoko.
Byrum Parham brings a needed pass-rushing element for a much younger Spartan defense anticipated to feature portal additions and guys who have waited their turn in the Silicon Valley.
He was the second-leading tackler next to Harmon with 74 total stops. He’s already considered a contender to land on the All-MWC First Team.
5) Tre Jenkins, Safety
Now entering a rare sixth season of college football (was granted an extra year due to being a graduate student and the COVID-19 year), Tre Jenkins takes on the role of the most experienced Spartan defender and one who’ll likely be heavily relied upon to lead the younger group of Spartans…and this 2023 team in general.
In his last three years, Jenkins has proven to be a sure, trustworthy tackler with 173 stops in that span. He’s also posted back-to-back seasons of 40 solo stops.
As a ball-hawk, Jenkins has four career interceptions with 14 pass deflections. One of his picks last year, though, was against Southeastern Conference (SEC) foe Auburn.
6) Anthony Pardue, Center
Again, there’s a quartet of returners across the offensive trenches. But Anthony Pardue is a returning 12-game starter in the middle and has been with SJSU as long as Jenkins has.
He’ll aim to improve pass protection that surrendered 42 sacks but also clear running lanes for Robinson and the SJSU backfield.
7) Fernando Carmona, Left Tackle
Fernando Carmona joins Pardue as a fellow 12-game starter from 2022.
Carmona, though, has done enough to earn an early case for All-MWC honors. Also, his quick feet come from his past as a tight end — the position that made him the state of Nevada’s 17th overall prospect for the 2021 class out of Las Vegas High.
8) Chase Williams, Free Safety
Williams came over to SJSU as a once-prized four-star USC commit for its 2018 class.
The former cornerback turned safety went on to get his feet wet as part of the deep and experienced secondary from last season — snatching two interceptions while additionally adding 41 tackles.
9) Soane Toia, Defensive Tackle
With Fehoko and Hall off to the league, someone in the defensive trenches must take over and dominate. The junior Toia has the chance to become that guy.
Though undersized at 6’0″, he’s a handful in the trenches, especially one-on-one with a blocker. He produced 25 total tackles while playing in the shadow of the aforementioned Pro defenders.
10) Kenyon Reed, Cornerback
Reed was one of 10 Spartan defenders who grabbed a pick last season. The Kansas State transfer is now one of the returning starters for the CB unit.
Reed had 19 tackles, including four versus Auburn, but also delivered three tackles and pounced on a fumble against MWC champ Fresno State. Reed is now in his third season with SJSU as he was last with the Wildcats in 2020.
