Aztecs Insider: Rocky spring and replacing QB

Starting DL Dontrell Onuoha has been suspended from the team after being booked on felony charges in late March. The charges stem from a Sept. 25 beating near the SDSU campus. The victim suffered an orbital fracture in his right eye. Onuoha was allowed to practice during the spring because charges had not yet been filed against him. He was on the first-team defensive line.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a San Diego jury has awarded former Aztecs DL Eric Ikonne $300,000 for past and future pain and suffering as a result of his collapse during a team workout in 2009. He sued a hospital and the doctor who treated him after his collapse. The doctor was found liable. Then-SDSU coach Brady Hoke said he and his staff were not aware that Ikonne carried the Sickle Cell trait.

Army tried to get out of the return game with the Aztecs, but SDSU couldn't find a replacement, so the game will go on as scheduled on Sept. 8 at Qualcomm Stadium.

SPRING MOVERS:

LT Bryce Quigley After starting 10 games as a blocking tight end in 2011, he put on 25 pounds to get up to 280 and was one of the more impressive performers on the offensive line during spring camp.

WR Tim Vizzi The junior walk-on from Ventura College is the Aztecs' version of New England's Wes Welker. Vizzi is listed at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds but kept making plays during every SDSU scrimmage including a 36-yarder for the game's only score in the Red-Black spring game.

DE Frederick Trujillo He quit football last season because of a lingering back injury. Apparently, it stopped lingering. Trujillo, a senior, rejoined the program during the offseason and has elevated himself to a starting job. Aztecs coaches are hoping he can add a few more pounds to his 230-pound frame to make him more durable in the fall.

QUOTE TO NOTE:
"The biggest challenge is replacing a quarterback that has been starter around here for four years and the last two years he has been very successful. The key to any offense is the quarterback. I think we have some talent at that position and I think we have a little experience at that position. I don't see it as a huge problem. I also think we have four or five really good young running backs in the program. Now I am not saying that they are Ronnie Hillman, but maybe three or four of them together can have the same production as Ronnie. That would be better because they are sharing the carries and they don't have the chance to get beat up or hurt as much." San Diego State coach Rocky Long.

Tags:    NCAA, College Football, Spring Practice, San Diego State Aztecs

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