San Jose State EDGE Tre Smith enters NCAA transfer portal

San Jose State EDGE Tre Smith has entered the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned. Smith has spent the last four seasons with the Spartans. But after the program went through a coaching change, Smith decided he will be looking for a new home moving forward.

One of the best defenders in the Mountain West last season, Smith earned first-team All-MWC honors for his 2023 performance. Smith recorded 66 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and forced a fumble in 13 appearances.

With Brent Brennan leaving San Jose State in favor of the Arizona job, the portal was opened up for Spartan players, lasting 30 days. Multiple guys have already entered their names and are not expected to play under Ken Niumatalolo moving forward.

Smith might be the best of the bunch and should be a popular man on the open market. Not too often are All-Conference caliber EDGE players available, let alone ones with production attached to their resume.

Whoever winds up grabbing a commitment from Smith will be making a nice late addition to their 2024 roster.

Smith played high school football at Mesa (AZ) Red Mountain, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 2,297 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Ken Niumatalolo expected to be San Jose State’s next head coach

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Ken Niumatalolo is being targeted to be the next head coach at San Jose State. While the deal is not finalized, everything is expected to come together over the next couple of days.

Niumatalolo is most well-known for his work with the Naval Academy, running the triple option offense. However, Thamel reports that San Jose State will not be making the switch over with Niumatalolo as the head coach.

“Sources: San Jose State is targeting former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo as the school’s next head coach,” Thamel said via X. “A deal should come together within the next 48 hours. Sources tell ESPN that Niumatalolo will not be running the triple option, which was his staple at Navy.”

The background for Niumatalolo has always been on the offensive end following his playing career at Hawaii as a quarterback. He got the opportunity to be Navy’s head coach back in 2007 and stayed in Annapolis for 16 seasons — having a ton of success.