Another football season means another football offseason. At SJSU, Coach Ken Niumatalolo and his staff had work to do in replacing a variety of players leaving the program. Most notably, the hole at the WR position left by the departure of triple crown winner Nick Nash and Justin Lockhart. Thankfully, the Spartans got themselves a pretty good haul in the transfer portal. So without further ado, let’s hop right into it.
Leland Smith | WR | JR | 6-4 215 | Purdue
Smith has endured quite the collegiate journey thus far. The Houston, TX native broke out his senior season at Strake Jesuit, putting up 845 receiving yards alongside 9 TDs. As an unranked prospect, Smith was an early enrollee as a TCU walk-on, following in the same footsteps as his mother. However, in the spring Smith decided to leave TCU and play football at the JUCO level in order to prove himself as someone who could compete for a spot on a D1 roster. As a freshman for Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA, Smith would amass 26 receptions, 655 receiving yards, and 9 TDs. This was good enough to lead the conference in YPC (26.4) as well as earn a 1st-Team All-SCFA National Southern Conference selection. At the conclusion of the season, Smith was the #14 ranked national JUCO prospect according to 247Sports. Eventually, Smith would land at Purdue, where he appeared in all 12 games last season. In his sophomore season, Smith grabbed 6 catches for 72 yards and 2 TDs.
Pio’s PutDown: Smith is going to be the replacement to Nick Nash, which goes without saying are big shoes to fill. However, in a lot of ways Smith reminds me of Nash. Both are big, tall WRs who excel in nabbing contested catches. Nash was more of a route-runner, while Smith more so relies on his athleticism. Smith possesses fantastic off-line speed that could beat a corner deep, or beat man coverage coming across the field. The post-corner is by far the best route in Smith’s arsenal. I imagine Smith will benefit just as much from the Spread-N-Shread offense as Nash did last year.
Robert McDaniel | QB | FR | 6-2 200 | UCLA
McDaniel shares some similarities in the sense that both he and Smith were early enrollees who decided to leave their respective programs in the spring. For Smith, the reason was to put himself on the map. For McDaniel, it was due in part to the whole Iamaleava saga that unfolded back in April. The UCLA QB room reshuffling saw both Iamaleava brothers join the Bruins, threatening McDaniel’s status in the depth chart and prompting him to leave for the transfer portal. The former 4-star was highly touted coming out of high school, where across 43 games for the Hughson Huskies he threw for 7767 yards and 95 TDs. The Central Valley native also participated in the 2024 Elite 11 Finals among the other elite QB talent of that class.
Pio’s PutDown: The mere fact that he was in Elite 11 should tell you enough about the talent McDaniel possesses. This was a massive get for Coach Niumatalolo and his staff. In terms of player comparison, he reminds me of Patrick Mahomes. Yes, I understand that’s a very lofty comparison, but their play styles are just so similar. McDaniel’s best part of his game is his accuracy in all aspects: short, medium, deep, on-the-run, hitting a guy who’s wide open, squeezing into a window, you name it. McDaniel is also quite advanced for his age (no surprise there!), as on multiple occasions he’s able to progress through his reads and put the ball exactly where it needs to be. All this is less than two seconds in the pocket by the way. McDaniel also has some speed to him, being able to evade tackles and get some sneaky good runs in. With Eget set to leave at the end of this season, McDaniel could very well be the starter next year (should he choose to stay).
Blake Tabaracci | LB | RS FR | 6-1 232 | New Mexico
Tabbaraci was a 3-star recruit and the #16 ranked prospect in Utah coming out of high school. Blake spent his first year at New Mexico, where he redshirted. He chose to stay in the Mountain West and will now look to learn under Jordan Pollard & Co. The Spartans also host the Lobos on October 3rd this season, so I’m fairly certain this one is circled on his calendar.
Malachi Riley | WR | JR | 6-2 175 | Arizona
In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of talent leave SJSU for Arizona, and not the other way around. The former Wildcat was a top #100 prospect in the nation coming out of Centennial High School, where he lodged 39 receptions, 678 receiving yards and 14 TDs. Across two seasons in Tucson, Riley has accounted for 5 receptions and 97 yards.
Vili Taufatofua | DL | RS JR | 6-3 259 | Utah
The New Zealander joins the Spartans after spending his last two seasons with the Utes. Before then, he spent his freshman year at the JUCO level with the New Mexico Military Institute, putting up 81 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 15.5 sacks and 3 FF. Those sack numbers were tied for among the best in the entirety of the NJCAA.
Danny Scudero | WR | RS SO | 5-9 174 | Sacramento State
If you follow the local high school football scene, then the name might sound familiar. Scudero was quite the accomplished athlete coming out of Archbishop Mitty, finishing with 1900 yards and 19 TDs in his senior season. Additionally, he also was a 2x 1st-Team All League and WCAL/Santa Clara Male Athlete of the Year in 2023. Last year with the Hornets, Scudero caught 53 passes for 667 yards and 5 TDs. His breakout season with Sacramento State hasn’t gone unnoticed; Scudero was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason MW Fourth-Team Offense and the Phil Steele Preseason MW Second-Team Offense.
Pio’s PutDown: Scudero is engaged in competition with Matthew Coleman for that spot in the slot. He could also be used in the special teams as a returner. That remains to be seen, but either way he’s another WR addition that could make a serious impact in the Spread N’ Shred offense.
Runye Norton | CB | JR | 5-10 168 | El Camino College
Last season with El Camino College, Norton had 18 tackles, 5 PBUs and 1 INT across 9 games played. Norton (much like fellow transfer Marzeal Smith) hails from the East Coast. The Information Technology major helped lead his high school team to an appearance in the FHSAA Football State Championship.
Solomone Langi | DL | JR | 6-0 285 | Snow College
Langi has experience on both sides of the line, but obviously he does his best work on the defensive trench. At Snow College these past two seasons, Langi was honored as an NJCAA Second-Team All America, ending his two-year stint with 47 tackles, 12.5 TFL, and 4 sacks across 19 games. The #3 ranked JUCO transfer in the state of Utah will look to be a quality depth piece for DC Derrick Odum.
Trace Hernandez | WR | SO | 5-10 175 | Modesto JC
Like McDaniel, Hernandez is no stranger to the Modesto area. As a member of the Pirates last season, Hernandez tallied 42 receptions, 788 yards and 6 TDs across 11 games. The All-Valley WR will likely stick in the slot and sit behind the likes of Danny Scudero and Matthew Coleman.
Jahari Johnson | WR | JR | 6-1 198 | Shasta College
Johnson could very well be far and away the most accomplished JUCO product in this transfer class. As a Knight, Johnson tallied 134 receptions, 1978 receiving yards and 19 TDs across two seasons. On the ground, Johnson has 3 more TDs alongside 89 rushing yards. Across both seasons Johnson was named All-Conference, All-State, All-Region and All-American.
Pio’s PutDown: If I had one word to describe Johnson, it would be “speed”. Johnson possesses great burst downfield, as well as being sneakily good at coming down with contested catches. This would explain why a lot of his yardage at Shasta College was courtesy of the Go route. He’s a viable deep threat I can see being used extensively within the Spartan offense this year.
Cayden Woolwine | LB | RS FR | 6-1 205 | NAU
The San Marcos, CA native returns to California after redshirting in his first year of collegiate football with Northern Arizona University. In his senior season, Woolwine compiled 82 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 14 TFL.
Maliki Crawford | CB | RS SO | 6-4 185 | USC
After losing standout corner DJ Harvey to the transfer portal (where he would join USC), the Spartans get one back from the Trojans in Maliki Crawford. Crawford has yet to see the field so far in his collegiate career, but the young athlete was a highly decorated 4-star prospect coming out of high school. His accolades include, but not limited to: All-CIF D4 team, Channel League DBOY, and Cal High All-State Football Team.
Mason Starling | WR | RS SR | 6-4 200 | California
Starling begins his 5th year of collegiate football as a member of the Spartans. In his last two seasons with the Golden Bears, Starling tallied 16 receptions and 191 yards. Prior to Cal, Starling starred with the College of San Mateo. As a sophomore, he put up 46 receptions, 703 yards, and 13 TDs. The Tacoma, WA native was a 3-star prospect coming out of high school. Across 3 seasons of football with Rainier Beach and Franklin Pierce, Starling caught 116 passes, 2412 receiving yards and 28 TDs.
Caleb Presley | CB | RS SO | 6-0 177 | Washington
It wouldn’t be crazy to say that Caleb Presley could be the best HS prospect in this transfer class. The former 4-star was the #1 ranked player in the entire state of Washington, ultimately becoming one of the headliners of Kalen DeBoer’s 2023 UW class. Presley redshirted his first season, and made just two appearances last go-around. Throughout the course of his career, Presley has been slowed down by injury. However, with SJSU he gets a fresh start and looks to make an immediate impact. Presley was also named to the Phil Steele Preseason MW Fourth-Team Defense.
Ryan Boultwood | TE | RS SO | 6-3 232 | Boston College
Offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann ran somewhat of a committee at the TE position last season with Jackson Canaan and Jacob Stewart. With the departure of Stewart (who joins Treyshun Hurry at Louisville), the Spartans went into the portal and nabbed Boston College TE Ryan Boultwood. Boultwood began his college career at Mt. San Antonio College, nabbing 14 receptions, 111 yards and 1 TD. The 3-star JUCO prospect (#4 JUCO TE in 2024) then took his talents to Boston College, where he would end up redshirting.
Pio’s PutDown: Don’t let the lack of production fool you. Ryan Boultwood is indeed the real deal. He won’t be featured as often due to Jackson Canaan handling a majority of the duties, but Boultwood will certainly make his presence felt every time he steps onto the field. The route running needs some work, but what jumps out at you is his speed. A guy with his frame should not be able to run as fast as he does. Additionally, Boultwood is a pretty good run blocker, so expect to see him in packages that call for that.
Zane Carter | LB | JR | 6-4 230 | Ventura College
What’s interesting about Carter is that he holds experience in all facets of the game. He joins the Spartans as a linebacker, but played his last two seasons as a safety (and as a punter!) with Ventura College. In high school, Carter also took home offensive MVP in his league East vs. West All-Star Game. The former All-CIF and All-State star broke out in his sophomore season with the Pirates, lodging 88 tackles, 5 interceptions and a forced fumble. This fantastic performance earned him All-Conference, All-State and All-American honors. Even so, the 3-star JUCO prospect flew under the radar, receiving only one other FBS offer (Eastern Michigan).
Pio’s PutDown: Carter will start as a backup in that vaunted linebacker room, which without a doubt is the best LB core in the conference. Carter will have a chance to learn from the best in Pollard, Powell, Latu and McNeal-Franklin. I imagine Carter will also get some work in at the STAR position given his versatility. As for the film, it shows a player who possesses excellent ball-tracking skills in the high zones. Carter also does well to read the quarterback and thus follow his throws. In the box, Carter’s best quality is his pursuit; the ability to navigate traffic and bring down the runner is what set him apart last season. Overall, Carter is your typical coverage backer with great versatility. I see him being an integral piece of the defense next season.
Charles Cox III | CB | JR | 6-0 195 | Diablo Valley College
The 2022 Cal-Hi Player of the Year recipient earned Ray-6 All-Conference First-Team honors last season with Diablo Valley College, on account of 37 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF and 1 interception across a 10 game span. The Concord, CA native shouldn’t have much trouble learning the new playbook; Cox has earned a spot on the Dean’s List the past two years, and he’s majoring in computer engineering.
Simeon Afalava | OL | JR | 6-3 311 | Riverside City College
In Orange County, Afalava was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-County, First Team All-Region and First-Team All-State. The 3-star prospect didn’t receive much interest after graduation, so he took his talents to nearby Riverside City College. Afalava played in 5 games last season and was a part of a team that won the 3C2A State Championship.
Marzeal Smith | CB | JR | 6-0 203 | Antelope Valley College
The Georgia native has done a bit of traveling over the past two seasons, slowly but surely making his way to the South Bay. His first stop took him to Coffeyville CC in Southeast Kansas. There, Smith had 8 tackles and a PBU across 3 games. He spent last season at Antelope Valley College down in SoCal, where he notched 48 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 FF, 2 PBU and 1 INT in eight games. The All-Conference safety makes a nice addition to the Spartan secondary.
AJ Campos | LS | SR | 6-1 238 | Sacramento State
We don’t discriminate against the special teamers here! AJ Campos comes over from Sacramento State as a replacement to Davis Salom, who served in the same role for the past few seasons. Campos has been perfect in all of his snaps in the past two seasons.
Denis Lynch | K| RS SR | 5-7 190 | USC
Continuing with the trend of special teams, we’ll end things off with Denis Lynch. Lynch did not see action with the Trojans last year, but prior to that, went 25/36 on FGs as well as scoring 139 PATs. Something else of note is that Lynch is left-footed.
Alrighty! That should do it for this season’s transfer class. Let us know down in the comments which player you’re excited to see this year. As always, make sure to give us a follow on Instagram: @ksjssports
Thank you for making this post! It really helps to have a thorough guide of each new player to the roster. My dad and I are big football fans, so it’s nice to know more about the players.