As I sit down to analyze the San Jose State football roster for the upcoming season, I can't help but draw parallels to international basketball recruitment strategies. Having followed collegiate athletics for over a decade, I've noticed how the selection philosophy of coaches like Tim Cone for teams like Gilas Pilipinas often mirrors what we see in college football programs. When Cone handpicked the tireless Calvin Abueva for his 2023 Asian Games squad, it reminded me of how San Jose State's coaching staff approaches building their roster - identifying players with specific traits that fit their system perfectly.
Looking at the quarterback position, I'm particularly excited about senior transfer Michael Johnson Jr., who threw for 2,843 yards and 24 touchdowns at his previous program. What impresses me most isn't just his arm strength but his football IQ - he reads defenses like a seasoned pro. Having watched his game footage from last season, I counted at least seven instances where he audibled into perfect plays against blitz packages. Behind him, redshirt freshman Carlos Mendoza shows tremendous potential, though he needs to work on his consistency under pressure. The receiving corps features what I believe could be the Mountain West's most underrated unit, led by junior standout Elijah Cooks, who recorded 68 receptions for 921 yards last season despite playing through a shoulder injury for most of October.
The defensive side presents some fascinating storylines, particularly in the secondary where we have what I consider the team's X-factor - cornerback Nehemiah Shelton. His combination of size and recovery speed makes him perfect for the press coverage schemes defensive coordinator Derrick Odum prefers. What many fans don't realize is that Shelton played through a sports hernia for the final four games last season, which explains why his performance dipped slightly in November. Along the defensive line, I'm keeping my eye on sophomore transfer Viliami Fehoko, whose explosive first step reminds me of former Spartan great Travis Raciti. The linebacker group, led by Kyle Harmon's 112 tackles last season, forms what I'd rate as the second-strongest unit in the conference behind Boise State.
Special teams often gets overlooked, but I've always believed it's where games are won or lost. Placekicker Matt Mercurio converted 16 of 19 field goals last season, including a 48-yard game-winner against Nevada that I still remember vividly. His consistency from beyond 40 yards gives the Spartans a weapon many Mountain West teams lack. The return game features speedster Shamar Garrett, who averaged 24.3 yards per kickoff return last season - third best in the conference.
What strikes me about this roster is how well it balances experienced veterans with promising young talent. The coaching staff has done an excellent job developing depth at critical positions, particularly along the offensive line where they return four starters from last year's unit that allowed only 18 sacks. As someone who's followed this program through its ups and downs, I'm more optimistic about this squad than any since the 2020 championship team. The pieces are there for a legitimate run at the Mountain West title if they can stay healthy through the crucial October stretch against Air Force and Fresno State. Having watched college football in California for twenty years, I can confidently say this Spartan team has the potential to surprise a lot of people this fall.