San Diego State Football: Fall camp update

On Monday, San Diego State head coach Rocky Long announced that freshman quarterback Nick Bawden won the backup job and another true freshman, Chase Favreau, locked up the third spot. Junior signal caller Brad Odeman was asked to switch positions, but Long announced in today's press conference that Odeman has ultimately decided to transfer schools and would be granted a free release. Redshirt sophomore Jake Rodriguez will join the team today.

Bawden won the job by taking care of the football, an area in which the team as a whole did not impress. He was only picked off one time through the first seven days of camp, which was  the fewest among all of the quarterbacks.

Fans will be excited to know that progress has also been made in Long's quest to find a reliable kicker. The latest Aztec depth chart released at today's press conference lists transfer junior Donny Hageman in the first slot. Throughout camp, the staff has kept detailed logs of their kickers, marking where they've kicked, who held for them, and whether or not they made it, and Hageman has performed the best.

Senior Zach Dilley has moved to the starting spot at Center on the latest depth chart, while last year's starter, Junior Jordan Smith, dropped to the third slot behind redshirt junior Lenicio Noble. The Aztecs have improved at the position according to Rocky Long.

"Anybody that has moved up on this depth chart earned it by their play," Long said. "Not necessarily did the [player that was beat out for the job] play badly, it's just that the other guy played better. Now in every other position except quarterback, the competition is still on."

Senior defensive end Sam Meredith is back practicing with the team full time after dealing with a family tragedy, although he will not quite be on the same two-a-day schedule as the rest of the team per NCAA rules.

** Junior linebacker Jake Fely will not be ready to return to the team until around the 6th game of the season according to Rocky Long. Fely was originally slated to be back around the third week of the season.

Watch the press conference on GoAztecs.com here: