The constant turnaround is what makes college sports exciting. Aside from the rare outlier, maybe players compete at this level for a maximum of four years before having to say goodbye and rebuild. Each year talent and leadership is lost.
But for San Diego State football, this last year’s collection of lost talent will be a challenge to overcome.
The core of two consecutive 11-win, Mountain West Conference championship teams left Rocky Long and company for the NFL.
The head of that class was Donnel Pumphrey, a four-year starter and the all-time rushing leader in the history of college football.