San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Aztecs look to get their names called in NFL Draft

Kahale+Warring+stiff+arms+a+defender+against+San+Jos%C3%A9+State+on+Oct.+20%2C+2018+at+SDCCU+Stadium.
Abraham Jewett
Kahale Warring stiff arms a defender against San José State on Oct. 20, 2018 at SDCCU Stadium.

Offensive linemen Ryan Pope and Tyler Roemer, along with tight end Kahale Warring have all been mentioned as players who could get a phone call from one of the 32 general managers on April 25-27 in the NFL Draft.

The three are projected to be the players drafted coming out of San Diego State because they were the ones that were invited to the NFL Combine back in February.

Warring is the Aztec with the highest prospect grade of 5.81, according to NFL.com.

Despite his limited production of 51 catches and 8 touchdowns in SDSU’s run-heavy offense, Warring is still seen as someone with a ton of potential.

USA Today reported Warring has been in contact with the Green Bay Packers.

It has also been reported by multiple outlets Warring has had visits with the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins.

The 6-foot-5, 252-pound tight end is a projected second or third round pick, according to NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is another draft expert who is high on the Sonora, Calif. native.

“Warring is a talented kid,” Kiper Jr. said on his First Draft podcast. “He catches the ball with his hands, away from his body. He’s got speed. He tested great; we were at Indianapolis at the combine. Warring tested off the charts.”

Pope, on the other hand, did not test well at the combine due to the fact he only participated in the bench press where he had 25 reps – which ranked 20th of the 47 total offensive linemen in Indianapolis.

The underwhelming combine performance doesn’t seem to change SDSU head coach Rocky Long’s thoughts on his former tackle.

“I’d draft Ryan Pope first because he’s a proven commodity,” Long said in March.

At 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, it’s hard for NFL teams to keep their eyes away from Pope.

The Long Beach native has the prototypical size to be an NFL tackle, but scouts are saying he still has to improve upon his strength and technique.

Roemer may be the most polarizing prospect of the three. He was dismissed from the team with three games remaining in the season.

The reason for Roemer’s dismissal has yet to be made clear to the public.

“Internal differences” was a reason for Roemer’s dismissal, a source told The Daily Aztec.

Zierlein wrote despite “eye-catching” athleticism, Roemer’s maturity can be as much of a problem that can potentially turn NFL teams the other way on Roemer.

About the Contributors
Aaron Tolentino, Sports Editor
Aaron is in his second and final year at SDSU. He is a junior college transfer from the Bay Area. From his previous experience covering junior college football, he has transitioned to the Aztec football beat where he is well plugged into the program – often breaking news first about the team. He has visited different road football stadiums, such as Stanford, Fresno State, San José State and UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Some of his highlights working at The Daily Aztec include covering the Mountain West Championship game in Las Vegas, casually sitting behind the legendary broadcaster Kevin Harlan (no big deal). Follow Aaron on Twitter @atolent2 to get the latest scoop on SDSU sports and one day see him break the news from that same account.
Abraham Jewett, Sports Editor
Abraham Jewett is The Daily Aztec's sports editor for the 2018-19 academic year.
Activate Search
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Aztecs look to get their names called in NFL Draft