3 Thoughts … after the Aztecs’ 49-47 loss to North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl

Three thoughts after San Diego State’s 49-47 loss to No. 23 North Texas in Saturday’s New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium:

1. No time for reflection

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest and reflection. So much for that. Taking time to reflect on a game, much less a season, means getting left behind.

Day had barely broken when SDSU linebacker Owen Chambliss, who led the Aztecs with 110 tackles, said he will enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Friday.

SDSU edge Trey White, who led the Aztecs with seven sacks and 10 1/2 tackles for loss, said he will make a decision within the next few days on whether to enter the portal.

Both players are in line for seven-figure paydays from Power Four schools.

Several schools among those in the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC are rumored to have 2026 “payrolls” of $30 million or more, so retaining top players is a challenge among Group of Six schools. SDSU is aiming to have $6 million available for the 2026 roster. That at least puts the Aztecs on similar footing with other members of the reconstituted Pac-12.

Fans from near and far — USC, Utah, BYU, Oklahoma State, Michigan and Nebraska, among others — immediately reached out to Chambliss on social media, imploring him to transfer to their schools. Cornhuskers fans were the most vocal, of course. They’re hoping Chambliss and White follow defensive coordinator Rob Aurich and edges coach Roy Manning to Lincoln.

This is where college football is now.

The bowl system, impacted by player and team opt-outs, has been caught up in the chaos. Players for years have attended banquets and participated in activities (like arcades and bowling) while also giving back to the community (like visiting children’s hospitals) during bowl week.

This caught the eye Friday in an SDSU release rounding up the day’s events: “The program attended a financial literacy course hosted by U.S. Bank, highlighting the importance of fiscal responsibility, credit scores and more.”

Chambliss missed the event while attending a pregame press conference with SDSU running back Lucky Sutton and coach Sean Lewis.

Hopefully, one of Chambliss’ (former) teammates can pass along his notes.

2. Comings and goings

SDSU’s ability to retain White, Chambliss and several other defenders helped the program post a 9-4 season, one year after going 3-9.

Player retention — and portal acquisitions — also will tell the story for the 2026 season.

The Aztecs are losing three starters on the offensive line, left tackle Christian Jones, center Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli and right guard Bayo Kannike, as well as tight end Seth Adams, to graduation.

Offensive tackle Joe Borjon announced last week that he is returning. Left guard Kalen Ellis is expected back as well. Some reserves will step up, but expect the Aztecs to be active in the portal, where last year they picked up and plugged in Ellis and Kannike.

Sutton, who led the team in rushing with 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns, also announced his return. Backup running backs Christian Washington and Byron Cardwell Jr. also could be back. Washington has another year of eligibility remaining, while Cardwell would need to secure a medical redshirt. He missed the 2023 season at Cal with an injury.

SDSU potentially returns all three starting wide receivers — Jordan Napier, Jacob Bostick and Donovan Brown — if they don’t hit the portal in search of greener pastures. Bostick and Napier are both healing from reconstructive knee surgery, which limits potential outside interest.

The defense is losing five starters to graduation: defensive linemen Niles King and Sam Benjamin and defensive backs Chris Johnson, Bryce Phillips and Eric Butler. Chambliss is headed to the portal, with White possibly to follow. Starting safeties Dalesean Staley and Dwayne McDougle have another year of eligibility if they want to return.

At this point, the only starter confirmed returning is defensive tackle Malachi Finau, who announced his intentions last week. Linebacker Tano Letuli, who is healing from reconstructive knee surgery, also is expected back.

SDSU kicker Gabe Plescencia is graduating. Backup kicker Nick Clegg is expected to compete with a to-be-determined transfer kicker. SDSU punter Hunter Green returns for his senior season. Backup punter Tashi Dorje announced Sunday on social media that he is entering the portal for his senior season.

3. Like father, like son?

Bert Emanuel Sr. was a backup quarterback at UCLA who transferred and became a starting quarterback at Rice.

Following his senior year with the Owls, Emanuel played wide receiver in the Senior Bowl. It was the springboard to an eight-year NFL career. He was taken in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who selected him as a wide receiver.

“It was a very difficult decision to make,” Emanuel said three years ago in an interview with sportscollectorsdailycom. “At the time, that was the only opportunity for me.

“There were only three NFL teams that were willing to draft me as a quarterback. The other 25 teams wanted me to change positions. It was way before the mobile quarterback could be accepted as a dual threat at the professional level. That was the opportunity for me.”

SDSU quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. now faces the same decision his father made three decades ago.

Emanuel Jr. showed he has special talent in the New Mexico Bowl, rushing for 170 yards and two touchdowns. His 72- and 69-yard carries were the two longest rushes of the season for the Aztecs.

The 72-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter was SDSU’s longest offensive scoring play of the season. The 69-yard run later in the quarter gave him the single-game rushing record for an Aztecs quarterback, surpassing the 132 yards Jalen Mayden had in 2023 against Idaho State.

Emanuel was in the midst of a historic performance before he suffered a game-ending injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder with 6:07 remaining in the first half.

Emanuel transferred to SDSU after three seasons as a backup quarterback at Central Michigan. He competed for the Aztecs’ starting job before Jaylen Denegal was named the starting quarterback.

Denegal is recovering from surgery to his left (non-throwing) shoulder, but is expected to be healed in time for spring camp. The status of Emanuel’s injury is not yet known, but, with questions remaining about his passing, it is unlikely he can beat out Denegal.

If Emanuel wants to showcase his talent and give himself an opportunity to play at the next level, he likely will need to make a position switch.

Maybe he should solicit some fatherly advice.