Jalen Mayden Is Ready To Lead San Diego State’s Offense In 2023
SDSU Will Need A Permanent Option At QB
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Mayden became the starter in October 2022
Jalen Mayden capped off the 2022 season with a 5-3 record as San Diego State’s starting quarterback.
San Diego State went through several quarterbacks in the first month of the season before Mayden took over against Hawaii in October. Mayden ultimately became the starter after Braxton Burmeister was benched and no other quarterback could permanently fill the starting spot for Burmeister.
Mayden, who was one of San Diego State’s quarterbacks in 2021, switched to safety in the 2022 offseason. He was a safety for the first five games of the regular season until he made the midseason return to the quarterback position. Once Mayden returned to his former position, he never looked back and put the Aztecs in a position to be bowl eligible. The Aztecs were 2-3 before Mayden was named the starter in Week 6.
In eight games, Mayden passed for 2,030 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Aztecs. He added 231 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. Mayden was a dynamic quarterback for San Diego State and he provided a spark to the offense.
Heading into the 2023 season, Mayden will already have more than half of a season worth of experience as San Diego State’s starting quarterback. He nearly secured a victory in the Hawaii Bowl against Middle Tennessee State. Mayden will be able to build off of his first bowl game appearance as a quarterback.
If Mayden is able to win the starting quarterback job in the offseason, he will have a full season to guide the offense. Next season will be important for Mayden to prove that he can lead San Diego State’s offense for an entire season.
Inconsistency at quarterback held San Diego State back from winning more games in 2022. Solving that issue could turn San Diego State into one of the best Group of 5 teams in the country.
