Fresno State LB turns experience into confidence ahead of second season
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- Tytus Khajavi entered his second Fresno State season with increased confidence.
- Khajavi recorded 37 tackles, one interception and one quarterback hit in 13 games played.
- Fresno State defense emphasized repetition and cohesion under coordinator Nick Benedetto.
A year ago, Tytus Khajavi was learning and adjusting to college football.
For most, that is a tough task, especially since he had played for Clovis West not too long before that.
But instinct was his best friend. Adrenaline and guidance from other players also helped him contribute.
Now, entering his second season at Fresno State, the game has slowed, and Khajavi’s confidence has surged.
“Now I’m prepared for what’s to come,” he said. “This year I feel a lot more confident than I did last year just because I know what to expect going into the season. I’m not just thrown out there as a freshman trying to go through the ropes. I feel a lot more confident.”
That shift — from reacting to anticipating — is exactly what the Bulldogs’ coaching staff hoped to see.
Linebackers coach Adam Breske said Khajavi’s growth accelerated when he saw meaningful snaps late last season, a stretch that forced him to mature quickly.
“In college football, your role can change very quickly,” Breske said. “He’s someone who puts a lot into his preparation, and the best way to improve is by playing. Getting on the field in the back half of last season really helped him grow and become more comfortable.”
Khajavi finished the season with 37 tackles, one interception, and one quarterback hit in 13 games played.
Khajavi credits much of that growth to former Bulldog Jadon Pearson, who served as both a mentor and a calming voice during his early moments on the field.
“He was like a player-coach,” Khajavi said. “A great mentor. Before my first game, I was nervous, and he just told me, ‘Don’t worry about it, just play. If you mess up, it’s your first game. Move on to the next play.’ That stuck with me.”
That “next play” mentality has become foundational in Fresno State’s defensive culture, one Khajavi has fully embraced during the spring.
Under defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto, the Bulldogs built one of the most consistent units in the conference last season, finishing near the top of multiple statistical categories and capping the year with a dominant 18-3 victory over Miami (Ohio) in the Arizona Bowl.
But inside the locker room, last year’s success isn’t something they’re clinging to.
“The momentum is definitely on the rise,” Khajavi said, “but we don’t want to get complacent.”
That mindset has defined Fresno State’s spring practices, where repetition and attention to detail take priority over flash.
Even familiar schemes are treated like brand-new material.
“I’m locked in on the little things,” he said. “Even though it’s the same defense as last year, I’m attacking it like it’s my first time learning it.
It’s not about the play; it’s about how hard you play. We play fast, with energy and effort. You see it in practice, everyone running to the ball, punching at it, communicating. We’re all on the same page.”
That cohesion has helped establish an identity: a unit that doesn’t rely on any single group to carry the load. Despite the outside perception that the defense may lead the team, Khajavi insists the Bulldogs operate with balance.
“We trust the offense,” he said. “If we’re down, they’ll pick us up, and if they’re down, we’ll do the same. No one is in a bigger role, we’re one team.”
This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Fresno State LB turns experience into confidence ahead of second season."
