Copyright San Diego Union-Tribune
A victory over Hawaii on Saturday at Clarence T.C. Ching Complex in Honolulu could potentially land San Diego State in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2021. Here’s a look at five potential NFL prospects to watch: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State, Sr. Johnson was recently named a midseason first-team All-America selection by multiple outlets, including The Associated Press, Sports Illustrated and Athlon Sports. He’s also one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the nation’s best defensive back. The last time the Aztecs had a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award was cornerback Luq Barcoo in 2019. Johnson has three interceptions through eight games, two returned for a touchdown, and is second in the FBS with 146 return yards. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s ranked as the top cornerback in the country with a 91.4 defensive grade, and is the 10th-best overall defender (minimum 300 snaps). The 6-foot, 195 pound versatile corner rarely overcommits, and is allowing just a 42.4% completion rate when targeted. He has the ability to mirror receivers in man, but I believe he’d excel in a primarily zone-based scheme in the pros. He’s instinctive, capable of quickly diagnosing layered route concepts, and will bait quarterbacks into making a mistake. Byron Cardwell Jr., RB, San Diego State, Sr. The 6-foot, 215 pound Cardwell was a consensus four-star recruit in the class of 2021 and top-ranked running back from California by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports after playing at St. Augustine and Morse High School. He committed to Oregon, where he spent two seasons before transferring to Cal, where he missed the 2023 season with a knee injury and saw limited action in 2024. Cardwell joined the Aztecs earlier this year. He’s averaging 8.1 yards every time he touches the ball as a runner, receiver or kick returner, and has two TDs. Cardwell is at his best working in space, where he can showcase his quick feet, exceptional balance and above average vision. Peter Manuma, S, Hawaii, Sr. Manuma was named to the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 watchlist in preseason. The three-time All-Mountain West honorable mention honoree made an instant impact for the Rainbow Warriors in 2022 as the only freshman in the country to produce at least 70 tackles, two interceptions and a sack. The two-time team captain is a read-and-react player with excellent instincts, quickness and is disruptive against the run. Jackson Harris, WR, Hawaii, So. The 6-3, 205 pound Harris has emerged as a big-time weapon for the Rainbow Warriors with at least 109 receiving yards in four straight games. He also has two TDs in three of the last four, and is averaging 17.2 yards per reception in his first year with Hawaii. The former three-star recruit, and Bay Area native, was an afterthought in Troy Taylor’s run-heavy offense at Stanford despite his speed — a reported 23 mile per hour in the flying 10 — and big-play potential. His average targeted depth was 18.2 yards during his two seasons with the Cardinal. Pofele Ashlock, WR, Hawaii, Jr. Ashlock was selected to the preseason All-Mountain West team after leading the Rainbow Warriors in receptions (63) and receiving yards (721) his sophomore season. He led all FBS freshmen in receptions (83) and receiving yards (832) and was third in TD receptions (nine) in 2023. The Texas native is currently 12th in the FBS with 55 receptions. Ashlock features size (6-2, 185), great hands, and good speed with fluidity in his movement (route-running and after the catch).
