Bert Emanuel Jr. got a close-up view of the San Diego State football team in September, when the Aztecs visited Central Michigan.

Emanuel will get a close-up view of the SDSU campus this weekend when he makes a recruiting visit.

The Central Michigan transfer quarterback said he is interested in the SDSU program for “both the offense and the potential to come in and compete to win the job.”

Emanuel is not the only quarterback from the state scheduled to come to campus this week.

Michigan quarterback Jayden Denegal is visiting during the week, along with Michigan offensive lineman Rahim Anderson, Mississippi State offensive lineman Leon Bell, Arizona wide receiver Malachi Riley, Coastal Carolina running back Christian Washington and Idaho defensive back Dwayne McDougle.

SDSU’s top three quarterbacks from this season — starter Danny O’Neil (who committed to Wisconsin on Monday), Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson and AJ Duffy — have all entered the transfer portal, leaving the position wide open for transfers to come in and compete for the job. Junior Kyle Crum and incoming freshman JP Mialovski (Long Beach Millikan High School) are the only two quarterbacks on the Aztecs’ 2025 roster, so restocking the quarterback room is a priority.

The 6-foot-3 Emanuel is a dual-threat quarterback from Houston whose career has been sidetracked by injuries. The son of former NFL wide receiver Bert Emanuel has played 13 games for the Chippewas over three seasons; he has two years of eligibility remaining.

Emanuel subbed for Central Michigan starting quarterback Joe Labas at times against the Aztecs, attempting one pass while rushing six times for 32 yards in a 22-21 Chippewas victory.

Emanuel has been most impressive running the ball, carrying 145 times for 844 yards (6.1 ypc) and 12 touchdowns. The highlight was a 2022 game against Buffalo, when he rushed for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Emanuel is 27 of 51 passing for 439 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions.

The 6-5, 235-pound Denegal was a standout quarterback Apple Valley High School who threw for more than 4,600 yards and 69 touchdowns before moving on to Michigan. He has been buried on the depth chart with the Wolverines, playing briefly in seven games during the 2022-23 season. He did not play this year.

Washington is a redshirt sophomore who graduated from Helix High School. He rushed for 537 yards and five touchdowns this season for Coastal Carolina.

Riley is a redshirt sophomore from Corona Centennial High School who caught five passes for 97 yards over the past two seasons for the Wildcats.

Hunter enters transfer portal

SDSU sophomore safety Josh Hunter announced Monday afternoon that he had entered the transfer portal. Hunter, who had 31 tackles as a reserve this season, would have been a candidate to start in 2025 after graduation losses in the secondary.

Union-Tribune transfer portal tracker

Originally Published: December 16, 2024 at 5:16 PM PST