Sacramento State released their depth chart on Tuesday which finally gave us a chance to maybe see how they are thinking about their roster. Here is an abbreviated breakdown from our normal position preview. A new coach and tons of new players made this challenging.
Offense
At QB they have #5 Jadan Rashada and #7 Cardell Williams listed together with an OR. As I shared on the podcast, look up Rashada’s journey to get to this point. It’s pretty interesting. In terms of football talent and passing ability, it sounds like Williams may have the upper hand. Rashada didn’t appear in any games for Georgia in 2024 but did play in 3 games for Arizona State in 2023. In those 3 games he was 44 of 82 for 485 yards and 4 TDs. Williams spent 3 seasons at Tulsa. He barely played in 2024 but in 2023 he completed 60% of his passes for 1,149 yards and 10 TDs while also rushing for 198 yards and 5 TDs. All things point to Rashada getting the start even if it feels like Williams is the better quarterback.
The running back room is loaded with talent. #1 Jamar Curtis (5-8, 169) is a small back but had a very productive career at Lafayette, a member of the Patriot League. Curtis has received All-American honors and was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. In two seasons he has rushed for 2,599 yards and scored 34 TDs. He’s a good player. #2 Rodney Hammond Jr (5-9, 195) transferred in from Pittsburg after a 4 year career where he rushed for 1,546 yards and 14 TDs. He started multiple games for the Panthers. With Sac State running the Go-Go offense, there will be plenty of opportunities for all of their backs to get a lot of work. Watching highlights of both of these players shows two players who have plenty of juice. It will be important for the Jacks to be assignment sure and make sure they are taking proper angles in their pursuit. #0 Savion Red (5-10, 233) is not listed at running back but is on the depth chart at kick returner. He transferred in from Nevada after rushing for 687 yards and 8 TDs in 2024.
The Hornets starting wide receivers will see plenty of opportunity as well but they are light on experience. #3 Jordan Anderson (5-11, 172) transferred in from Oregon State where he didn’t record any stats in his lone season. #11 Gavin Thomson (6-1, 191) is the most experienced guy and he has caught 46 receptions for 726 yards and 7 TDS for St. Francis. #9 Damien McDaniel transferred in from UNLV and also did not record any stats in his one season. The next next wide receivers are interesting. #13 Ernest Campbell (5-9, 145) came in from Texas A&M where he also ran track. He didn’t record any receptions for the Aggies but on the track he has world class speed clocking a 10.02 100m dash for them last season. #12 Onterrio Smith Jr (6-2, 188) had 5 receptions for 29 yards and 1 TD last year for the Hornets. #8 Tim Conerly (5-9, 157) also transferred in from UNLV and across two seasons he had 9 receptions for 110 yards.
At tight end they have #16 Jordan Williams (6-5, 217) and #87 Gavin Nelson (6-3, 245). Williams comes in after 3 years at Colorado St where he had just 3 receptions for 36 all of which came in his true freshman season. Nelson is in his second season at Sac State. He didn’t record any receptions last season but did make two starts. Prior to that he played at Fresno City Juco where he had 14 receptions for 121 and 2 TDs.
As it’s listed on the depth chart, the Hornets OL will go:
LT: Sawyer Hayes (6-6, 299, SR): Started in 2024 for Sac
OR
LT: #79 Jordan Herman (6-8, 346, Jr): Transfer from Charlotte where he started the opening game but then served as a backup in 10 games. He started his career at Florida and appeared in 3 games over 2 seasons for the Gators.
LG: #63 Kenndel Riley (6-3, 321, Sr): Spot starter for the past three years for the Hornets at guard. Started 7 games in 2024.
C: #52 Dean Abdullah (6-4, 295, SR.): Transfer from San Diego State. Spot starter over the last three seasons at guard.
RG: #73 Jose Soto (6-3, 312, RFR): Started in week 1 in 2024 for the Hornets and was injured.
RT: #74 Aidan Meek (6-5, 300, SR): 2 year starter at right tackle. Has the ability to also play guard.
Defense
The Hornets will play a 3/4 defense that is based in man coverage. They will dress a lot of things up to try and cause confusion but be pretty simple in what they actually run. This is at least according to the defensive coordinator in the Stingers Up podcast.
The three down lineman are #59 DeSean Watts (6-2, 318, SO), #55 Miles Bailey (6-4, 286 Jr.), and #45 Xavier Williams (6-4, 246, SR). Williams is a team captain but is coming off a lost season due to injury in 2024. In the prior two seasons he has 19 tackles. Watts redshirted last year for the Hornets but in his previous stop at Fresno City CC he had 21 tackles, 8.5 TFL, and 5 sacks. Thats pretty good production for a big guy. Bailey transferred in from Murray State where he had 12 tackles in 2024. #58 Jaland McGothen (6-2, 282, So) is a reserve to watch as he appeared in 6 games as a true freshman and he had 13 tackles. #90 Syncere Massey (6-5, 342, Jr.) is a huge man who was very productive at Texas Southern in 2024 when he had 43 total tackles. He has also spent time at ACU and Texas Tech.
The EDGE players are #2 Deven Wright (6-5, 215, SR) and #19 Josh Cashiola (6-2, 230). Wright was brought in from Texas State as well and he played in 12 games in 2023 and had 19 tackles. He did not record any stats in 2024. In 2022 he was actually at Boise State and he had 5 tackles, a sack, and 2 QBs. He started his career at Mississipi Gulf Coast CC. “Cash” started 7 games for the Hornets in 2024 and recorded 23 tackles, 5 TFL, and 4 sacks. It looks like he brings some juice! #56 Dylan Hampsten (6-3, 237) is a player they seem excited about after transferring in from San Jose State. He had 19 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and a sack in 2024.
The inside linebackers are #10 Derek Houston (6-1, 224, SO) and #5 Oscar Moore (6-1, 216, SR). Houston started 3 games in 2024 and had 62 total tackles and 29 solo tackles. Moore is a transfer from UTEP where he primarily played safety. Last season he had 62 total tackles. #15 Je’kob Jones (6-0, 222, SR) and #32 Matt Eskridge II (6-1, 228, JR) are the reserves. Eskridge is also being cross trained as an EDGE. Jones spent four seasons at Cal Poly and played in 36 games and recorded 130 tackles. Last season he had 44 tackles.
The starting corners are UAB transfer #1 Ricky Lee III (5-10, 162, SO) and Washington State transfer #6 Warren Smith Jr (6-1, 188, SO). Lee played in 12 games for UAB as a true freshman in 2023. It doesn’t appear he had much of a role in 2024. Smith played in 9 games in 2024 and had 4 tackles for WSU. #22 Elias Mullican (6-1, 176) is a reserve to watch as he started 10 games for the Hornets in 2024 and had 28 tackles. #12 Jason Oliver (6-0, 175) played in 7 games last season and had 8 tackles.
The strong safety is either #17 Anta’Veon McKenzie (6-1, 193, So) or #4 Koa Akui (5-10, 188, Jr). McKenzie started 3 games in 2024 and had 37 tackles. Akui played in the first game in 2024 but was injured and missed the remainder of the season. He appeared in 7 games in 2023. #12 Jason Oliver (6-0, 175) is listed as a reserve at free safety and corner.
Special Teams
Kicker: #49 Grant Meadors: transfer from Oregon State. Played in 6 games across 2 seasons. Solid kickoff guy.
OR
#99 Joseph Firebaugh: transfer from UCLA. Played in 2 games in 2022.
Punter: #91 Cal McGough: 3 year starter. 3rd team All-Big Sky in 2022. averaged 42.2 yards per punt on 48 attempts in 2024.
Kick Returns: #2 Rodney Hammond Jr: Returned kicks in 2022 at Pitt and had a 17.7 yard average on 7 attempts.
Punt Return: #9 Damien McDaniel: No stats at UNLV.
Prediction
Jackrabbits 34- Hornets 17
Go Jacks!
Matt
