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San Jose State Football Roster Breakdown: Key Players and Position Analysis for 2023 Season
As I sit down to analyze San Jose State's 2023 football roster, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and curiosity that comes with every new season. Having followed collegiate football for over fifteen years, I've learned that roster transitions tell stories beyond mere statistics - they reveal a program's soul, its ambitions, and sometimes its vulnerabilities. This year feels particularly intriguing because of that significant coaching change everyone's been talking about. The school made the official announcement and handed the reins to the Red Warriors program to the former PBA coach, a move that I believe could either revolutionize our approach or require some serious adjustment periods.
Looking at our quarterback situation first, I'm genuinely excited about what Chevan Cordeiro brings to the table. The senior signal-caller threw for 3,251 yards last season with 23 touchdowns against only 8 interceptions, numbers that honestly impressed me more than I expected. His decision-making has improved dramatically since his sophomore year, and I've noticed his pocket presence becoming increasingly calm under pressure. What really stands out to me is his connection with returning wide receiver Elijah Cooks - their chemistry during spring practices suggested they've been putting in extra work during the offseason. Cooks himself is coming off that remarkable 884-yard season, and I'm predicting he'll break the 1,000-yard mark this year if he stays healthy. The receiving corps overall looks deeper than last season, with junior college transfer Justin Lockhart showing particular promise during scrimmages.
The running back room presents what I consider one of our strongest positional groups. Kairee Robinson returns after rushing for 887 yards last season, and I've always appreciated his balanced style - he's not just a power back or a speed guy, but somehow manages to blend both qualities. His backup, Shamar Garrett, brings that change-of-pace dynamic that I think will prove crucial in close games. What really excites me though is watching true freshman Jalen Bostic during summer workouts - the kid has raw talent that could develop into something special by mid-season.
Our offensive line concerns me slightly if I'm being completely honest. We lost two starters to graduation, including left tackle Jaime Navarro who anchored that unit for three seasons. The projected new starter at left tackle, junior transfer Marcus Johnson, looked solid in spring but I noticed he struggled against speed rushers in the scrimmage against Stanford. The interior line should remain strong with center Kyle Hoppe returning for his final season - his 34 consecutive starts provide stability that I value immensely in developing offensive cohesion.
Defensively, I'm particularly bullish about our secondary. The cornerback duo of Nehemiah Shelton and Jay Lenard might just be the best in the Mountain West conference, and I don't say that lightly. Shelton's 11 pass breakups last season don't even tell the full story - quarterbacks simply stopped throwing his way by November. At linebacker, Kyle Harmon's 112 tackles last year speak for themselves, but what the stats don't show is his leadership on and off the field. I've spoken with several younger players who credit Harmon with helping them adjust to collegiate speed more than anyone else.
The defensive line does worry me though. We're replacing three starters from last year's unit, and while the new faces showed flashes of potential, I observed concerning inconsistencies during spring practices. The transition to the new coaching staff's defensive schemes appears to be taking longer than anticipated, particularly with the defensive tackles adjusting to different gap responsibilities. I'm hoping this gels before our tough October stretch against Boise State and Fresno State.
Special teams often gets overlooked in these analyses, but having seen games turn on special teams plays countless times throughout my career, I pay close attention here. Punter Travis Benham averaged 43.2 yards per punt last season, but what impressed me more was his ability to pin opponents inside the 20-yard line - he managed it 18 times in 2022. Placekicker Taren Schive returns after connecting on 15 of 18 field goal attempts last season, though I'd like to see more consistency from beyond 40 yards where he went 4 for 7.
The coaching change brings both uncertainty and excitement. The former PBA coach brings a professional pedigree that I think could elevate our program's ceiling, but implementing new systems always takes time. From what I've observed during closed practices, the players have bought into his philosophy, but translating that to game situations against tough conference opponents will be the real test. His offensive background suggests we might see more creative play-calling, something I believe could maximize Cordeiro's dual-threat capabilities.
As we approach the season opener, I find myself more optimistic than cautious. The roster has legitimate stars at skill positions, experienced leadership in crucial spots, and what appears to be strong team chemistry. The schedule does us no favors with early tests against Power Five opponents, but I've always believed that facing quality competition early reveals character and identifies areas needing improvement. If the new coaching staff can quickly address the defensive line concerns and the offensive line gels faster than I anticipate, this team could surpass last year's 7-5 record. Personally, I'm predicting an 8-4 finish and a bowl appearance, though my heart says 9-3 isn't out of the question if a few breaks go our way. The pieces are there - now it's about execution and that always-unpredictable element of team chemistry that can turn a good roster into a memorable one.