As spring football begins across the state, we’re examining the big questions for each program as they begin their set of 15 offseason practices.
Next up: UTSA.
1. Can new personnel and a new OC give the offense a jolt? Coach Frank Wilson fired OC Frank Scelfo at the end of the season and brought in veteran Al Borges to run his offense. Receivers coach Jeff Kastl should be heavily involved in crafting the offense as well. The Roadrunners fielded an elite Group of Five defense last year, spearheaded by first-round pick Marcus Davenport. But the offense held them back and was the biggest reason a possible eight or nine-win season became a 6-6 season, including a frustrating snub from bowl season. Quarterback Dalton Sturm is gone, and so are his top three receivers, Josh Stewart, Kerry Thomas Jr. and Brady Jones. Running back Tyrell Clay is gone, too. Wilson wanted a balanced offense that can run the ball, and won't feature many spread concepts. The UTSA offense will look vastly different next year, but does different mean better? Time will tell.
2. Who gets the edge at quarterback? Let's just say Wilson was displeased at the progress of the competition thus far in the spring. He declined to make any available to the media after a practice earlier this month and unleashed a tirade. “I’m disappointed at everybody wanting to heap praise and wanting to give them a mic, and they ain’t do s— yet,” he told reporters. “There’s nothing to talk to them about. None of them have done anything yet.” So ... yeah. For now, it's a wide-open four-man competition between sophomore Bryce Rivers, redshirt freshman Frank Harris and Alin Edouard and Cordale Grundy, who both transferred in from junior college. JoJo Weeks will join the fold this summer, too. After a week off, the Roadrunners get back on the field later today. As spring heats up, we'll see if anyone can grab a lead by the end of the 15 practices.
3. Can new DC Jason Rollins utilize UTSA's recruiting boost? UTSA's defense was good enough last year to land DC Pete Goulding on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. That meant Wilson had to hire two new coordinators and brought Rollins aboard. The Roadrunners had the No. 3 class in the C-USA in 2017 and were No. 7 and No. 9 in 2018 and 2016. In 2014, they had the bottom-ranked class in the C-USA and 127th overall. Now's the time those recruiting wins can start to pay off on the field. Juco transfer back Deven Boston could have an immediate impact. Will young talents like corners Javontavius Mosley, Samuel Barnes or Taylor Perry start blossoming into stars? What about defensive end Jaylon Haynes? Wilson and Rollins have plenty of toys to play with on the defensive end, and even after losing five starters on defense, this could be the best defense in C-USA.
More big questions for spring football:
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