San Diego State began refilling its quarterbacks room on Thursday morning, when Michigan transfer Jayden Denegal signed with the Aztecs. Denegal is a 6-foot-5, 235-pound junior from Apple Valley, 150 miles north of San Diego, who has two years of eligibility remaining. “The culture Coach (Sean) Lewis is building here at San Diego State, I really like it,” Denegal said Thursday morning after wrapping up his recruiting visit. “I’m a California guy. I wanted to come back home, take over the Mountain West and win some games. That’s my plan.” Denegal starred at Apple Valley High School, throwing for more than 4,600 yards and 69 touchdowns (he also rushed for 14 TDs) before heading to college. He said what will set him apart from others competing to be SDSU’s starting QB in 2025 is “my ability to throw, read defenses and just get the ball to playmakers.” Denegal spent the past three seasons as a reserve quarterback for Michigan, appearing in six games during the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship season. He didn’t get a lot of playing time behind first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, completing 4 of 5 pass attempts for 50 yards and throwing a touchdown pass against Nebraska. The experience playing for coach Jim Harbaugh and being immersed in the Wolverines’ program was life-changing, however. “Getting all the valuable lessons that I got from Coach Harbaugh,” Denegal said. “Going against the No. 1 defense in the country every day, playing with one of the best offensive lines and receivers and running backs, first-round draft picks. Winning a national championship. … I feel like that’s helped me prepare for, essentially, my time now.” Michigan transfer quarterback Jayden Denegal joins the San Diego State program with two years of eligibility remaining. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Harbaugh has praised the dual-threat Denegal, saying he “throws the ball extremely well” and is “pretty darn athletic.” The situation changed this season for Denegal when Sherrod Moore replaced Harbaugh as Michigan head coach. With McCarthy gone to the NFL, the Wolverines struggled to find a replacement. Three quarterbacks were tried at the position, though Denegal was not among them. He did not play in a game. Denegal said he is excited for a fresh start. He called Lewis’ “AztecFast” offense “amazing.” “We’re going to put up a lot of numbers,” he promised. “We’re going to get some more receivers here and we’re going to throw the ball around the yard. We’re going to get running backs and we’re going to tote the pill.” SDSU could add another quarterback over the weekend when Central Michigan transfer Bert Emanuel Jr. makes his official visit. If Emanuel also signs, it would give the Aztecs four quarterbacks on the 2025 roster, joining Denegal, junior returner Kyle Crum and incoming freshman JP Mialovski. Denegal welcomes the competition that comes when spring practice begins in mid-March. “I feel confident in myself,” he said. “I just need to learn the playbook and go out there and show what I can do.” Hunter the punter Northern Colorado transfer punter Hunter Green signed this week with SDSU. Green, who has two years of eligibility remaining, punted 66 times this season for a 46.4-yard average, with 21 punts of 50+ yards and 23 inside the 20-yard line. Green succeeds Tyler Pastula, who ranked among the nation’s top 10 this season with a 46.1-yard punting average. The bar is high at the position. Pastula followed SDSU punters Matt Araiza and Jack Browning, who both are playing in the NFL. Linebacker returning SDSU reserve linebacker Brady Anderson announced Tuesday night on social media that he will be returning for his last year. Anderson, among nearly two dozen SDSU players who entered the transfer portal, had 15 tackles and recovered a fumble in 11 games. He is the second SDSU player to announce for the portal before choosing to stay, joining wide receiver Jordan Napier.