Aztec Notebook : With Switch Pending, Jennings Might Leave

Jim Jennings, San Diego State’s starting fullback last season, said he has received permission from school officials to transfer but is unsure if he wants to leave.

Jennings, a redshirt freshman from San Marcos High School, said he is considering the move because of Coach Al Luginbill’s plan to move him to outside linebacker.

Luginbill said he is switching Jennings because he is installing a one-back offense that will not require a fullback. Kevin Macon, a sophomore fullback from Patrick Henry who started one game last season, also will be switched.

“Kevin seems in favor of the change,” Luginbill said, “but Jim has some hesitations, and I am sensitive to his concerns.”

Jennings said he has talked to Athletic Director Fred Miller and received his blessing to discuss transferring but has not had serious discussions with other schools. Jennings said he plans to make a decision before the the start of the spring semester.

“I told them that if I come back then, I’ll do whatever they want,” Jennings said. “I will do what is best for the team. But right now I have to consider my options.”

Jennings rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries and caught 13 passes for 81 yards this past season. The elimination of the fullback position is one of several changes Luginbill has announced since he took over as coach 4 weeks ago.

The biggest upheaval could be at quarterback. Luginbill said he intends to have an open competition in spring practice among the three returners--Scott Barrick, Dan McGwire and Brad Platt. The winner likely will be the starter next season. But Luginbill said he plans to award the second-team position to an incoming freshman.

That will leave the two losers with little hope of playing.

Barrick, a redshirt freshman who started the last four games, and Platt, redshirt junior who started the first seven, said they plan to stay and compete in the spring.

McGwire, who sat out last season after transferring from Iowa, could not be reached for comment.

Other position changes planned by Luginbill include moving linebackers Morey Paul and John Wesselman to safety, trying long snapper Bonner Montler at linebacker and returning two players Stolz had switched to defense back to offense.

Steve Blyth will be moved to center after a season at defensive line, and Tony Nettles will return to wide receiver from cornerback. Both have one season of eligibility remaining.

In other player news, Anthony Mitchell, a freshman offensive lineman from Vista High School, has decided to give up football, Luginbill said.

Mitchell sat out last season after transferring to SDSU from Oklahoma. He had been bothered by medical problems, including a sprained ankle and ulcer, since arriving at SDSU.

Luginbill also said that he expects Darrin Wagner, a freshman running back from Lincoln High School, to participate in spring practice. Wagner quit the team in November but has been convinced to return for now, Luginbill said.

Marc Jones, former Vista High School running back, has been dealt a setback in his effort to gain an early release from jail and enroll at SDSU.

Jones, who is serving a year sentence after pleading guilty in August to mayhem in connection with the beating and partial blinding of a Fallbrook teen-ager, has been denied participation in a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department furlough program that could have allowed him to attend SDSU on a football scholarship, his lawyer said.

David Thompson said Wednesday that Jones’ application was denied last week. Thompson said he will return to county court next month in an effort to have Jones’ sentence reduced so that he may attend SDSU this spring.