UTSA Roadrunners

2023 Finish: 9–4
Off. PPG: 31.9 (34th in FBS)
Def. PPG: 24.1 (53rd)
Key Losses: QB Frank Harris, WR Joshua Cephus, OL Terrell Haynes, OLB Trey Moore, CB Kam Alexander, S Rashad Wisdom
New Faces: 11 signees, 11 transfers
Top Additions: CB Denver Harris (LSU), LB Ian Jackson (Alabama), OL Jonah Miller (Santa Rosa JC), OL Briley Brown (O'Connor), WR Mekhi Anderson (Armwood FLA)
 

Offensive Overview

The UTSA offense is a ship in search of a new captain. Quarterback Frank Harris ended his seven-year post as the greatest player in program history. Coming off a surgery-filled offseason and without standout wide receivers Zakhari Franklin and De'Corian Clark, Harris's 2023 stats (2,506 yards, 18 touchdowns, 8 interceptions) weren't other-worldly as in years past. But his leadership still was.

Whoever replaces Harris has an intriguing wide receiver corps at his disposal. While Joshua Cephus became the de-facto No.1-option, Devin McCuin won All-Texas Offensive Freshman of the Year with 42 catches for 546 yards and three scores. Clark should return after missing all of last season with knee surgery. He had 1,496 yards and 15 touchdowns combined from 2021-22.

UTSA rifled through four different offensive line combinations through the first five games in 2023. Every offensive line spot is up for grabs heading into spring football. Former all-conference selection Makai Hart has played four games due to injury in the past two seasons. Cory Godinet entrenched himself at guard next to the departing Terrell Haynes last year. CJ James transferred from New Mexico started all 12 games at center. Venly Tatafu has experience at guard and tackle, while the left tackle spot will see fierce competition.

Projected Starters

Breakout Candidates

WR JJ Sparkman – UTSA is seaching for a big-bodied receiver after the 6-foot-5 Tykee Ogle-Kellogg graduated. Enter Texas Tech transfer JJ Sparkman. The 6-foot-5 wideout was a rotational piece in Lubbock with 23 catches over three years, but he found a great situation in San Antonio.

OT Buffalo Kruize – Originally a defensive lineman at City College San Francisco, the 6-foot-6 Kruize will battle both Santa Rosa JC transfer Jonah Miller and Rutgers transfer Kamar Missouri for the left tackle spot. Kruize has the leg up in spring as a returner from 2023. 

RB Rocko Griffin – Griffin had a mini-breakout in 2023 with 483 rushing yards on a team-leading 5.3 yards per carry. He finished the year strong with five touchdowns in the final seven games. It's a crowded UTSA backfield, but they'll all get work to ease in a new quarterback.

Key Unit

Running Back – The Roadrunners need to run the rock with a new quarterback at the helm. They bring back three pill toters who got at least 90 carries last season. Kevorian Barnes and Robert Henry are the leaders. Barnes was the Conference USA Freshman of the Year two seasons ago and led the team in rushing in 2023, while Henry scored 11 touchdowns. Rocko Griffin emerged as the third running back last season with Frank Harris's limited legs.

Biggest Question Mark

Replacing Frank Harris – UTSA will inevitably encounter early-season lumps without Harris's steady hand guiding the offense. The Roadrunners don't need a hero; they need a manager to distribute the ball to their talented skill positions. Owen McCown won UTSA's first bowl game in program history against Marshall, and he'll battle redshirt junior Eddie Lee Marburger in spring practice. Don't be shocked if UTSA brings another transfer in at the position.

Defensive Overview

UTSA's defense lost three massive pieces from its 2023 unit. Team captain Rashad Wisdom has graduated. The AAC Defensive Player of the Year, Trey Moore, transferred to Texas after compiling 14 sacks. Scooter's Coffee Bowl Defensive MVP Kam Alexander went to Oregon. And yet, the 2024 defense on paper is the deepest of the Jeff Traylor era.

Brandon Brown (6-foot-2, 310) and Joe Evans (6-foot-3, 340) are two of the biggest linemen in the group of five. UTSA's linebacking corps is the team's strongest unit. Returning safety Ken Robinson led the team with 66 tackles last season, while Elliott Davison contributed 40 tackles and two interceptions playing behind Wisdom. 

UTSA got more guys from the transfer portal last cycle (11) than they ever have since Traylor took the job. None are more exciting than Denver Harris. The former five-star and state champion from North Shore has bounced from Texas A&M to LSU in his young career, but looks to get back on track with one of his former high school coaches, Joe Price, on staff.

Projected Starters

Breakout Candidates

LB Owen Pewee – Donyai Taylor has the money backer spot locked down, but Pewee is next in line. The Cy Park grad notched 30 tackles last year, 6.5 of which came for a loss. Pewee can make a big impact rotating in on critical downs.

LB Ian Jackson – UTSA has a crowded linebacker room, but Jackson may be too talented to keep off the field. The Alabama transfer didn't play much with the Crimson Tide but has intriguing size (6-foot-2, 225) and recruiting pedigree (Class of 2021 four-star).

CB Zach Morris – It's an open competiton at corner after UTSA lost both starters. Morris, a Flower Mound Marcus alum, started all last season at New Mexico and was highly productive with 36 tackles and 11 pass breakups. 

Key Unit

Linebackers – There's not a more experienced linebacker room in the conference than UTSA. Jimmori Robinson was second on the team with 11.5 tackles for loss last season. Seniors Jamal Ligon and Martavius French finished second and third, respectively, on the team in tackles manning the middle. Taylor is an athletic hybrid backer who earned second team all-conference accolades last season.

Biggest Question Mark

Edge Pressure – Moore's 14.5 sacks more than doubled the second-highest player, Brandon Matterson, who finished with five. Neither return in 2024. Moore racked up 35.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. Robinson figures to step into the top pressure producer spot, but who else emerges? Keep an eye on Taylor as a blitzer.