Hi Bulldog fans! Welcome to the Red Wave. I’m Daniel Gligich, the Fresno State Athletics reporter for The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Feel free to email me at sports@sjvsun.com and follow me on Twitter.
✉️ Received The Red Wave email from a friend? Sign up here.
|
|
New quarterback takes the reigns: Fifth-year senior Jorge Reyna has a tough job ahead of him, replacing Marcus McMaryion at quarterback. But if there’s anyone in program history capable of stepping into a championship-caliber team without missing a beat, it’s him.
Reyna transferred to Fresno State in 2017 from West Los Angeles College, where he put up big numbers as a dual-threat quarterback. He sat behind McMaryion for two seasons and learned from Tedford, the quarterback-whisperer, setting himself up in the best position to succeed.
Since being named the starter in the spring, Reyna’s made vast strides in the mental game as well as his position as a leader on the team.
|
|
Linebacker U: Losing all three starting linebackers from last season should be a rather difficult challenge to overcome. Right? Not for the Bulldogs.
Led by senior Mykal Walker, the group looks as strong as ever. Walker starred at defensive end last season and switched to inside linebacker in the spring, his natural position.
Juniors Arron Mosby and Justin Rice earned the other starting spots in practice and bring plenty of versatility and confidence to round out the group. “Us flying around will be something special this year,” Walker said.
|
|
Receivers restocking, tight end group strong: KeeSean Johnson and Jamire Jordan are no longer stretching the field for the ‘Dogs, leaving senior Derrion Grim as the only wide receiver on the roster with any real experience.
Alongside Grim, several young receivers have impressed with first-team reps: junior Keric Wheatfall, sophomores Patrick Elima-Jeuene, Chris Coleman and Zane Pope and freshman Jamal Glaspie.
Although the receivers are mostly inexperienced, the Bulldogs do have an All-American candidate at tight end. Jared Rice enters his senior season after setting program records for his position last year. His 664 receiving yards were good for sixth among all tight ends in the country.
|
|
O-line bookends return, competition heavy for inside spots: Both starting tackles return to the offensive line: Netane Muti and Syrus Tuitele. Although Muti missed most of last season with a ruptured Achilles, he’s come back strong and is fully healthy.
The three inside spots are still up for grabs, though that competition will start to be narrowed down by the end of next week, Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb said.
|
|
Jordan Mims out for the season: Junior Running back Jordan Mims had ankle surgery for a bone graft and will be out for the season, Tedford said Tuesday. He played in 26 games in his first two years, and had 436 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season.
Starting running back Ronnie Rivers was back at practice Wednesday, but didn’t return to full-contact yet. He pulled his hamstring before fall camp started and is almost back to full health.
Per Tedford, multiple running backs will have the opportunity to fill in for Mims. Watch out for juniors Romello Harris and Saevion Johnson and freshman Peyton Dixon.
“They’re all getting an opportunity, and as we move forward in camp we’ll stratify where the depth chart is,” Tedford said. “Running back for us is always by committee anyway. It’s really hard to have one back carry the full load.”
|
|
|
|
