SANTA CLARA — San Jose State will be without one of its top playmakers this year.

Tyler Winston, the third-leading receiver in school history, is ineligible for the 2016 because of academic reasons.

Winston has 171 career catches and is a former Mountain West freshman of the year and all-conference selection.

He missed the final month of last season because of a knee injury.

“He’ll be a great scout team receiver for us,” coach Ron Caragher said Thursday, noting that Winston is expected to participate in practice and be ready for the 2017 season.

The Spartans have several options to fill the hole created by Winston’s absence, including Tim Crawley (39 catches last season), third-down specialist Justin Holmes and USC transfer Rahshead Johnson.

The Spartans open training camp Aug. 5.