The hiring of coach Frank Wilson made an immediate impact on the previously floundering UTSA football program — lackadaisical as former HC Larry Coker spent his last two years daydreaming about retirement, rather than focusing on the intricacies of the playbook. A promising start-up, the Roadrunner squawked to a 7-17 record, before sending coach Coker off to the pastures of a Dell Webb retirement community home.
Enter from the endzone: Coach Wilson.
The former LSU scout walked into the Alamodome ring like a newly introduced wrestler with a promising storyline, capturing the fan’s hearts with his no-nonsense attitude and uncanny ability to attract talent to the Alamo City. In his first year with the program, the Roadrunners claimed their sole winning record and a bowl berth — two impossibilities rectified by introducing a new coaching staff into the orange-and-blue unit.
Anticipation is high for what’s — inevitably — another winning year; UTSA is billed as a front-runner for the C-USA crown.
Key Losses
RB Jarveon Williams, OL Gabriel Casillas, OL Jevonte Domond
The offensive line figures to be the biggest challenge for UTSA this upcoming year. The interior largely remains the same, but Coach Wilson has to plug-in two new tackles during spring training. An inconsistent line doesn’t bode well for quarterback Dalton Sturm, who struggled with his own consistency issues throughout the year: The dual-threat shot-caller had four games completing over 65%, and four under 50% of his passes.
All-time school lead rusher Jarveon Williams heads to the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his collegiate career with 2,390 yards and 19 touchdowns — offensive milestones that will sorely be missed for an offense that progressed from 104th to 65th in points scored throughout the FBS.
Key Returners
RB Jalen Rhodes, LS Matt Bayliss, DE Marcus Davenport, LB Josiah Tauaefa, The Receivers, The Recruiting Class
Seven of the eight leading receivers from the offense return with quarterback Dalton Sturm under the helm. Despite losing Jarveon Williams to graduation, back Jalen Rhodes should be fully capable to take on leading man duties, effortlessly taking the reigns of the running game whenever Williams was out with injury. Rhodes finished the year with a UTSA-record nine touchdowns on 155 carries for 867 yards.
The Runners return four All-Conference USA selections from last season: LS Matt Bayliss, DE Marcus Davenport, WR Josh Stewart and LB Josiah Tauaefa. The addition of a C-USA leading 27 commits fill holes and provides depth to any position that was lacking.
Verdict
With another year of experience for the 13 starters returning, and a collection of primarily 3-star recruits that takes the cake as the best Roadrunners class in history, it’s not difficult to fathom that UTSA will likely have their best season yet. If the tackles successfully incorporate into the offensive front and Rhodes proves an able back, San Antonio has a good shot at seizing the C-USA West crown in 2017.
Prediction
8-4
Brought to you by:
