This is the 3rd installment of the position group previews.  We have previously covered the Cornerbacks and the Linebackers.

Today we are focusing on the safety positions.  The safety position lost a multi-year starter and leader in Nick Mears, but returns a plethora of experienced players who have started or played extensively in recent seasons.  The group learned a lot from Mears and now the seniors have stepped up and are providing the same type of mentoring to the younger players.

This year the safeties are coached by Brian Bergstrom who is in his first year with the Jacks.  Bergstrom previously was the defensive coordinator for the Augustana Vikings.  Bergstrom has been really impressed with how intelligent this group is and said, “As the quarterback of the defense, they need to be smart.”  Bergstrom plans to keep guys fresh by substituting and using different combinations of players throughout the game.

“The whole community shuts down on gameday…you know you have the whole community behind you.” – Nick Farina

Reason No. 24 of Why State pic.twitter.com/Tj7Mfour4N

— SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) June 9, 2017

#24 Nick Farina returns for his senior season.  Bergstrom has been very impressed with Farina and said that he is the most physical of the group.  Farina battled injuries last season but made 39 tackles and had 1 interception.  The Jacks will count on his effort and desire to be the best this season.

#28 Chris Balster is also back for his senior year.  Balster has become the leader of the safety room and sets the example for his teammates.  Balster, who was originally a walk-on, was the third leading tackler for the Jacks last year with 75 and caught 1 interception.  Bergstrom has been impressed with how instinctual Balster is and that he just makes plays.  

#6 Makiah Slade will be looking to make an impact as a junior.  Slade was in the lineup frequently last year while registering 38 stops and 2 interceptions.  Bergstrom credits Slade for being the most dynamic and explosive of the group.  Slade has all of the physical tools to be a standout for the Jacks.

#17 Alex Romenesko returns to the Jacks for his junior year after a strong spring.  Coach Stig in an interview posted on the SDSU Twitter account during the spring identified Romenesko as being a standout of the spring season.  During the radio broadcast of the spring game he also shared the story of how Romenesko has overcome a tough family situation and is really maximizing his time that he has left playing for the Jacks.

#37 Lorenzo Williams, #3 Joshua Manchigiah, #14 Jarek Berg, and  #25 Clark Wieneke provide excellent depth to the position and should battle for playing time and tackles on special teams.  Manchigiah and Wieneke are coming over from position switches and are still learning the ropes of the safety position.

#30 Pete Menage had a very successful freshman season and won multiple “scout team player of the week” awards.  However, he suffered an injury during spring ball and will likely miss this season.  Bergstrom will look to Menage to act as another coach for the unit this season.

#26 Alex Wickersham, #27 Jorden Velez, #28 Tylen Small, and #38 Tyler Demartra are the incoming freshmen at the position.  They were all stand-outs for their respective high school programs and should contribute down the road.

Go Jacks!
-Matt