By Kirk Kenney, The San Diego Union-Tribune The Tribune Content Agency
More than a dozen San Diego State football players announced this week that they are entering the NCAA transfer portal.
On Friday afternoon, SDSU received welcome news: Five starters from the 2024 team announced on social media that they will be back next season.
Sophomore edge Trey White and sophomore linebacker Tano Letuli, both team captains, were among the group that also included junior cornerback Chris Johnson, sophomore safety Dalesean Staley and junior left guard Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli.
There were growing concerns in recent weeks that key starters would be lured away, entering the portal by the prospect of "greener pastures" (read: NIL money from Power Four schools).
Aztecs coach Sean Lewis has even gone on record stating that he believes tampering has transpired with, in his estimation, half a dozen SDSU players. Schools are not permitted to contact players until they are officially in the portal, which opens Monday.
With news of several starters' return, SDSU redshirt freshman wide receiver Jordan Napier is the only potential returning starter who has indicated that he will enter the transfer portal.
SDSU starting center Brayden Bryant said during the season that he is returning.
White, an Eastlake High School graduate, had been the Aztecs' most-mentioned player when it comes to portal conjecture. He had a breakout year, leading the nation for much of the season in sacks. He finished with 12 1/2 sacks, which ranks fourth in the country and tied for third on SDSU's single-season list.
Letuli is a Cathedral Catholic High School graduate who transferred in from Army before the season. He led the Aztecs with 70 tackles this season despite playing with a heavily-wrapped, surgically-repaired right hand.
Johnson was SDSU's second-leading tackler with 66 tackles. He had a team-high three forced fumbles.
Staley, who transferred in before the season from Northern Iowa, was SDSU's third-leading tackler with 61 tackles. He also had a 72-yard fumble recovery.
Ulugalu-Maseuli has started 28 games on the SDSU offensive line over the past three seasons, making him the most experienced returner on the O-line.