No Aztecs likely to be selected in 2024 NFL Draft

A dropdown menu on NFL.com lists 141 colleges with prospects for the 2024 NFL draft.

San Diego State is not among the schools.

There actually is one SDSU listed — South Dakota State University.

Texas A&M-Commerce, the Aztecs’ opponent in their 2024 season opener, also is included.

The Aztecs are not the only Mountain West team absent. Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State and UNLV aren’t represented, either.

So fans shouldn’t expect to hear the names of any Aztecs called among the 257 players selected during the seven-round draft, which begins Thursday night.

Cornerback Noah Tumblin and punter/kicker Jack Browning are the two SDSU players regarded with the best chance to sneak into the draft’s final round. Both are likely to sign as an undrafted free agent, however.

San Diego State’s Jack Browning averaged 45.4 yards per punt last season.

(Meg McLaughlin/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

If no SDSU players are drafted, it will mark the first time in 62 years that the Aztecs haven’t had a player chosen in back-to-back drafts.

While no SDSU players were selected last year, the Aztecs did have six players sign as undrafted free agents.

The Aztecs have several free agent candidates again this year.

Representatives from 23 NFL teams turned out last month for SDSU’s annual pro day.

Five players from SDSU’s 2023 team worked out, with Tumblin and Browning joined by safety Cedarious Barfield, defensive lineman Samuela Tuihalamaka and quarterback Jalen Mayden, who worked out as a safety.

Observers said Tumblin had the best showing of the group.

The 6-foot-2 cornerback, a Mira Mesa High School graduate, led the Mountain West and ranked 11th in the nation in both total passes defended (14) and pass breakups (12). He had 36 tackles and two interceptions on the season.

Browning, a West Hills High School graduate, was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award that goes to the nation’s top punter.

He had 54 punts for 2,449 yards (45.4-yard average) with a long of 66 yards

Browning also made 15 of 22 field goal attempts, including a Mountain West-record 61-yarder at Air Force.