NEW LEAGUE, SAME TEAMS AWAIT THE AZTECS AS THEY ENTER THE NEW PAC-12 WITH THE DEFENSE LEADING THE WAY
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How Will the Aztecs Navigate the Pac-12? Can They Achieve Success in a New Conference?
Building upon last season’s turnaround will help catapult the Aztecs to the top of the Pac-12 Conference in 2026.
The Aztecs turnaround in 2025, following two dismal seasons, will serve to help propel the Aztecs to greater heights in 2026. People have finally bought into Coach Sean Lewis’ philosophy. Not all the pieces have clicked or fell into place just yet, but there were some amazing points from last season. The Aztecs have finally been recognized as a football potential, after years of following in basketball’s shadow. The Aztecs returned to legitimate defensive royalty with last season’s team and while most of the pieces have left, the key foundation and system remains in place. Combine that with offensive returners and new talent and the Aztecs are poised to turn a few heads come conference play. The schedule is a mixed bag of opportunity and challenges highlighted by a week two game at UCLA. The twelve game schedule will also feature a ‘flex game’ tentatively scheduled at Fresno State. This unique concept was played out last year between Oregon State and Washington State. The league can alter as needed to provide a greater opportunity at a playoff position or a more meaningful late season game. Of course, all roads will lead through Boise State who again is favored to win their conference. That game in Boise on November 21, could very well decide the league front runner.
Aztec Defensive Outlook
Most people think the Aztecs will finish near the top of the league this season. The upside is a Pac-12 championship game with implications of a potential College Football Playoff berth. Key concerns are consistent quarterback play and cohesive play along the offensive line.
The strength is of course the defense and the defensive line in particular. Missing from last season is Trey White, but stepping in is Brady Nasser, a 6’5” senior edge rusher from Pleasanton. This writer had coached his older brothers while a teacher at Amador Valley some years ago. He certainly comes from an athletic family and will have the opportunity to highlight this unit. Joining him at the other Edge will be Oregon State transfer Kai Wallin who recorded 17 tackles last season for the Beavers. In the trenches are returning starter Malachi Finau, projected as a second team All Conference player. He will be supported by Colorado transfer Gavriel Lightfoot. At linebacker, the Aztecs return Tano Letuli, a pre season first team All-Conference pick and Weber State transfer Siona Hala. At safety, the Aztecs return Dalesean Staley, the only returnee in the secondary. To support him, they brought in Portland State transfer Isaiah Green, who looks to be a key player for the Aztecs.
The coaching staff also saw transitions, as longtime Defensive Coordinator Rob Aurich left for a bigger payday at Nebraska. Stepping in will be first-year coordinator Demetrius Sumler who will make it his job to continue last season’s defensive expectations. Last season, the Aztecs were 5th nationally in scoring defense allowing just 11.6 points per game. They ranked 7th in total defense, giving up only 293.7 yards per game. The passing defense was outstanding, allowing only 164.2 yards a contest while the rushing defense held opponents to 129.5 yards per game. Those are lofty numbers that will be expected this season. While the Aztecs have changed conferences, it still will be mostly a replay of previous Mountain West opponents. The Aztecs have been able to reload and with their pedigree and expectations, this writer looks for the Aztecs to finish at a 9-3 mark and compete for the conference title against Boise State. We will look at the season and the offense in later articles.
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