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(UWIRE) SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State football team has been in and out of the gym for the past eight weeks.
Bench presses, squats and cleans have filled every SDSU player's schedule, and with every rep, each player looks to improve for the 2008 season.
With spring workouts set to start at 3:45 p.m. today at the Aztecs' on-campus practice facility, SDSU will finally get to go out and show why it's worked so hard the past two months.
"Based on our numbers, we are at our strongest point in our program since we've been here," head coach Chuck Long said.
But regardless of how much the team has worked, it heads into spring practices with some serious question marks.
Quarterback
There will be a three-way battle at quarterback this offseason to replace graduating senior Kevin O'Connell. The competition is expected to be among redshirt freshman Ryan Lindley, sophomore Kelsey Sokoloski and junior transfer Drew Westling. All three quarterbacks have been described as pocket passers, and in a system that prides itself on using the quarterback as a running option, the offense may look a little different this season. Still, with such a high-profile position undecided, Long wants to take his time with the decision.
"We'll go into spring with the three and we'll narrow it down as we go," Long said. "There is no time table at this point in time to name a starter -- it may go into the fall with that situation as it is."
Running back
With former starter Brandon Bornes now graduating, the running back duties might be shared between junior Atiyyah Henderson and sophomore Brandon Sullivan. Sullivan looks to be the favorite heading into the spring, as last year he rushed for 220 yards with two touchdowns on just 58 carries. With Long's offense tending to be a single back formation, both running backs should see plenty of time in the rotation, and senior Tyler Campbell may also get in the mix.
Offensive line
The Aztecs will look for a couple of starting tackles this offseason. The position is wide open as there are currently 13 offensive linemen on the spring roster. An early candidate for the tackle spot may just be former tight end Lance Louis. After coming back from a serious knee injury, the senior offensive lineman has emerged as a potential leader and starter along the line. Other potential tackles include the two tallest SDSU players, redshirt freshman Kurtis Gunther, who is 6-foot-8, and freshman Kellen Farr, who stands at 6-foot-7.
Front seven
After losing arguably the team's best defensive player and leader Nick Osborn, Long is confident that this front seven can lead the team. Playing a hybrid defense that can play both the 4-3 and the 3-4, Long has been impressed by the performances of his linebackers in the weight room and believes senior Russell Allen will make the difference on a young defense.
Special teams
The team has lost all three main components of special teams, as Michael Hughes, Garrett Palmer and Tyler Schmitt are departing because of graduation. The three look to be replaced by an incoming freshman class that includes the No. 1 long snapping recruit Aaron Brewer. Another incoming freshman who looks to play a huge role in the kicking and punting game is Brian Stahovich. With special teams being one-third of what it takes to win a ball game, this question mark might just be one of the biggest of them all.
(C) 2008 The Daily Aztec via U-WIRE
