The focus is on football — rather than pandemic problems — as San Diego State players take to the practice field
practice field Monday afternoon to open spring practice for the third time since he returned as SDSU’s head football coach.In 2020, SDSU conducted six of its 15 practices before the coronavirus pandemic emerged and wiped out the remaining workouts.
The news release for the COVID-19 delay a year ago came just minutes before the first practice was to begin. Ena, a BYU graduate who played four years in the NFL, has 14 years of college coaching experience. All in Utah. He comes from Dixie State, where he was defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
Hoke, who still works with the D-line, was right there to make on-field introductions, including a pair of key returning starters — super seniors Jonah Tavai and Keshawn Banks — three experienced reserves — seniors Daniel Okpoko and Nassir Sims and junior Wyatt Draeger — and a linebacker who has been moved to the line — junior Garret Fountain.“With the winter, the runs in the morning and all the lifting, I think they’re glad to get out and play football,” Hoke said.
There were five interceptions — and could have been a couple more — during a passing drill midway through the workout. • Former SDSU wide receiver Kobe Smith watched the workout from the parking structure adjacent to the practice fields. Smith entered the NCAA transfer portal during the offseason. Could he be entertaining thoughts of returning? That remains to be seen.