A seemingly endless list of tasks pulls Sean Lewis in different directions during his first days as San Diego State’s new football coach.
One task that immediately became front and center is what Lewis called “the talent acquisition process.”
The NCAA transfer portal opens Monday. The NCAA’s early signing window runs from Dec. 20-22. It has become the most important 72 hours on the calendar since it was approved five years ago.
SDSU signed 22 players (14 freshmen, four JC transfers and four Division I transfers) last year and 20 players (14 freshmen and six Division I transfers) the year before.
The Aztecs, who have had 14 players from the 2023 team announce they are entering the transfer portal, currently have 33 scholarships available. That’s not counting nine seniors who could potentially return if they are encouraged to return by the staff to use their “COVID year” of eligibility.
There is a lot of talent to be acquired.
Lewis already has reached out to the 10 players who are committed for the 2024 recruiting cycle.
The Union-Tribune reached out to each player and received responses from seven of them. All seven said they had been contacted by Lewis. Some also heard from returning staff members Ryan Lindley, Demetrius Sumler and Bojay Filimoeatu.
All seven said they remain committed to SDSU.
A sampling of their responses:
Washington Evergreen High School tight end Arthur Ban: “I am definitely still 100 percent locked in and very excited for what the future will hold with Coach Lewis and the staff that he decides to bring in.”
Petaluma Casa Grande High School defensive lineman Kodi Cornelius: “(Lewis) seems like a very energetic and enthusiastic coach who cares about who you are. Genuine and has a great energy.”
Corona Centennial High School cornerback Tayten Beyer: “He seems like a great guy. He is excited to be at SDSU, and I’m excited to be playing for him.”
Lewis said local recruiting will be an essential part of building a roster. There are two locals among the Aztecs’ list of commits: Mater Dei Catholic running back Anthony McMillian Jr. and Carlsbad wide receiver Will Cianfrini.
“It’s one of the greatest things that drew me to this job,” Lewis said. “You can go a stone’s throw away from campus and all the surrounding areas and there’s players everywhere. We’re going to start at home. … and (it) will ripple out from there.”
McMillian said Lewis is “ready to work and change the program.”
“He’s (bringing) a spread and balanced offense,” the running back said. “He wants to run and throw the ball efficiently and put a lot of points on the board.”
A primary position of need is quarterback, where the Aztecs list only three scholarship quarterbacks (there are typically five).
SDSU’s list of early commitments does not include a QB.
Starter Jalen Mayden has exhausted his eligibility, leaving sophomores Tobin O’Dell, Kyle Crum and Liu Aumavae, and redshirt freshman Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson.
O’Dell is a walk-on who rose to backup QB on last season’s depth chart.
Notable this week was Indiana high school quarterback Danny O’Neil decommitting from Colorado. O’Neil was recruited to the Buffaloes by Lewis. He has 20 scholarship offers, according to 247sports.com. There are a dozen Power Five schools among them. Also, SDSU.
O’Neil did not respond when contacted about his plans.
Among the questions Lewis was asked Wednesday after being introduced was whether he imagined bringing in a quarterback from the transfer portal.
“Not sure yet,” he said.
