Sacramento State ranks No. 8 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Hornets finished 8-5 last year, exiting in the FCS second round with a 34-24 loss at South Dakota.
Here’s a look at the 2024 Sac State football squad.
Returning 2023 All-Conference Players (4)
First Team
OL Jackson Slater
Second Team
WR Jared Gipson
Honorable Mention
OL Nathan Mejia
P Cal McGough
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (3)
Colby Warkentin (DL), Abilene Christian
Murvin Kenion (DB), Idaho
Will Leota (LB), Utah Tech
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (8)
Dejuan Butler (DB), Cal
Bryson Summers (OL), Coastal Carolina
Jalen Williams (DB), Fresno State
Jay Rudolph (TE), San Diego State
Joshua Nicholson (WR), San Diego State
Joey Wright (OL), San Diego State
Makai Cope (WR), Utah
TangiTangi Pongia (OL), UTEP
Transfers Lost To The FCS (0)
Transfers Lost To The FBS (4)
Kinnick Manley (LS) to FIU
Connor Stutz (P) to UConn
DeShawn Lynch (DL) to Washington
Cameron Broussard (DB) to Washington
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Offensive Outlook
After scoring 30.5 points per game a season ago (No. 26 in the FCS), Sac State returns its starting quarterback, All-Conference wide receiver, No. 2/3/4 running backs, and five offensive linemen who started at least six 2023 games.
Quarterback Kaiden Bennett had a breakout season last year, his first as a starter. A 2023 junior, Bennett went 182/283 passing (64.3%) for 2,192 yards, 16 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while finishing second on the team with 577 rushing yards (130 attempts) and six TDs.
Sac State also brings back QB Carson Conklin, a three-star recruit who shined in limited action last year as a true freshman. Conklin played in the final four games of the regular season, including two starts, maintaining his redshirt via the four-game rule. He finished 51/94 for 744 yards, six TDs, and two interceptions.
While Carlos Hill led the Hornets last year with 50 catches for 692 yards and five touchdowns, Jared Gipson was the All-Big Sky Second Team selection at wide receiver. Hill has departed while Gipson returns. Gipson had 38 catches for 657 yards and four touchdowns last fall, leading the Big Sky with 17.3 yards per reception. WRs Anderson Grover (34 catches, 431 yards, 3 TDs) and Devin Gandy (33 catches, 412 yards, 4 TDs) are also back after finishing No. 3 and 4 on the team in receiving.
In the backfield, the Hornets lose their top rusher Marcus Fulcher (590 yards, 8 TDs). Similar to how Fulcher had limited carries in 2022 while sitting behind Cameron Skattebo and then stepping into the lead role in 2023, Elijah Tau-Tolliver looks primed to do the same this year. Last season, Tau-Tolliver rushed for 387 yards and seven touchdowns on only 64 attempts (6.0 yards per carry). Ezra Moleni (276 yards) and Zeke Burnett (216 yards, 1 TD) also return.
The offensive line has been a strength for Sac State, and that looks to continue this fall. Five players who started at least six games last year are back. All-American Jackson Slater (6’4″ 306 lbs) and All-Big Sky Nathan Mejia (6’3″ 299 lbs) lead the unit. Aidan Meek (6’5″ 290 lbs) started nine games, Kaden Richardson (6’3″ 280 lbs) started six, and Kenndel Riley (6’3″ 336 lbs) started six.
Some FBS transfers look to make an impact as well: Coastal Carolina OL Bryson Summers, San Diego State TE Jay Rudolph, San Diego State WR Joshua Nicholson, San Diego State OL Joey Wright, Utah WR Makai Cope, and UTEP OL TangiTangi Pongia.
Defensive Outlook
Sac State’s defense has regressed over the last couple of seasons, going from 19.1 points allowed per game in 2021 to 25.9 in 2022 to 27.2 last year (70th in the FCS). Under Andy Thompson, now in his second season as head coach and with a defensive background, improvement is expected.
But it’s going to be a new-look unit in 2024.
Only one of Sac State’s top 11 tacklers returns. Gavin Davis-Smith is back at nickelback after finishing No. 4 on the team with 64 tackles, including 2.5 TFLs, one sack, two interceptions, and five pass breakups.
Defensive end Josh Cashiola looks to step up after being a part of the d-line rotation last year, totaling 27 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks, and three quarterback hurries.
The Hornets will lean on some transfers to fill big voids. Linebacker Will Leota was a great addition via the portal. The three-time All-Conference selection at Utah Tech totaled 213 tackles in three seasons. Safety Murvin Kenion III comes in from Idaho. He had a strong 2022 season, featuring 36 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and four interceptions. Colby Warkentin is a good-sized defensive lineman from Abilene Christian at 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds. He tallied 16 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks.
Cal nickelback Dejuan Butler and Fresno State nickelback Jalen Williams come in from the FBS. Butler and Williams were three-star recruits out of high school.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
Sacramento State Football Schedule
8/29 at San Jose State
9/7 at Fresno State
9/14 vs RV Nicholls
9/21 at Texas A&M-Commerce
9/28 at Northern Arizona
10/12 vs Eastern Washington
10/19 vs No. 22 Weber State
10/26 at Idaho State
11/2 vs Portland State
11/9 at No. 4 Montana State
11/16 at Cal Poly
11/23 vs No. 21 UC Davis
Bold indicates Big Sky games
HERO Sports’ rankings
RV = Received Votes
