Notes From Fall Camp

Three years ago, G.J. Kinne made headlines by portaling in 50+ players, hiring a full staff all while leading the University of Incarnate Word to an FCS semi-final appearance.

Year three for Kinne at Texas State is much different from that first year on the hill.

All day today, coaches talked about the ongoing evaluation process. Wait a minute? Are we actually figuring out roster spots? Not just clickbait?

Honestly, before today, I had kind of lamented going out to camp, getting the same old coach sound we usually get about the depth chart and how things look, but in the best way possible, wrinkles are showing in year three.

In year one, Kinne made headlines with the splash signing of T.J. Finley. We sort of got a quarterback battle between him and Malik Hornsby, but Finley ended up being the day one dude who took us to our first bowl game win.

In year two, Kinne again made headlines by poaching the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Jordan McCloud, from James Madison University. No real question who was going to be behind center after that.

In year three, Kinne signs SMU’s Keldric Luster, Pitt’s Nate Yarnell and Auburn’s Holden Geriner. But I still don’t think there is a real battle so long as Brad Jackson calls San Marcos home.

The former Regan Rattler has the most experience of any of the QBs at Texas State in the offensive system and got the nod from the coaching staff down the stretch of last season when McCloud was hurt.

Remember when they wouldn’t tell us he was hurt? Yeah, that was weird.

Anywho, I bet Jackson gets the day one start against Eastern Michigan. I do think we see multiple quarterbacks then though. Like I said on the podcast this week, I think the real test will be week two at UTSA.

Apparently, for all the mess I talked on the show, the legitimate sexiest storyline is who will be Kicker 1. Three guys are fighting for that spot.

Here is my Kicker Depth Chart:

K1 - Michael James (RJR., TARELTON, TXST)

K2 - Jacob Bonilla (SO., Mt. SAC)

K3 - Tyler Robles (RSO., USC)

Jacob Bonilla is actually my favorite on this list. He’s Canadian and I saw him stay behind practice for extra work today. #nice Special Teams Coordinator Tanner Burns says he is not afraid to use three different kickers for three different situations either.

At this moment, the running back room is the strength of this team. A ton of depth and a ton of experience.

Truly, that is the biggest red flag for Texas State; it’s a very young team, especially when compared to last year’s squad who had a bunch of returners on both sides of the ball. This year, dude’s are going to have to prove they are who they say they are when the whistle blows.

Here is my depth chart for Running Back:

RB 1 - Lincoln Pare (RSR ARK STATE)

RB 2 - Torrance Burgess Jr. (RSR UTEP)

RB3 - Jaylen Jenkins (RSR WASHINGTON STATE)

RB4 - Greg Burrell (SO., UNLV)

RB5 - Taji Atkins (SO., RICE)

RB6 - Cole Pryor (Fr. SA Regan)

RB7 - Bradley Sowersby (Fr. Smithson Valley)

I’m a huge Greg Burrell #believer. I’ve said that on the pod. Taji Atkins is also very impressive on this list. Bet to see multiple backs multiple times. This is an extremely talented room with potential, but I’m not sure one will exactly be THE bell cow, at least for now. But just on their classifications alone, a ton of experience in this group.

The coaching staff is banking on the running backs to bolster any offensive flubs from the receiving corps or whoever may find themselves behind center this season.

Defensively, the team is still very much figuring it out, this is not your team anchored by Torey Spears or Bryan London II, These are a bunch of new 'Cats ready to make a name for themselves.

These are just a few thoughts as I sit inside Mochas and Javas as I wait for these files to export back to the Austin and San Antonio TV stations. I’ll have more thoughts this week on the show!

Also, this week, I wrote a banger for DCTF all about what happened when Texas State jumped into the PAC-12 for DCTF. You can read it here:

Thanks for Squarin’

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