UTSA avoided missing out on a bowl game for the first time in the Jeff Traylor era by winning four of its last five games of the season, including the bowl game over Coastal Carolina. The Roadrunners return most of its production on offense, including quarterback Owen McCown and a host of intriguing wide receivers and tight ends. The offensive line is also deep. The questions are on defense where they must replace a handful of multiple-year starters. 

We stop by all 13 FBS programs in Texas each spring on our summer magazine tour. Here are some news and notes from the stop in San Antonio.

Previous stops: Baylor | North Texas | SMU | TCU | Texas Tech | Houston | Texas State | UTEP | Texas A&M

OFFENSE 

• Owen McCown is back at quarterback and Traylor said his QB1 took a leap in the middle of last season in the same way most quarterbacks improve between Year 1 and Year 2. “We saw a different quarterback in the second half of the season,” Traylor said. “A lot of that is just experience, learning how to not take sacks and to throw the ball away. He grew a lot.” 
• The backup quarterback spot is still up in the air. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Tennison has a leg up on the competition because of his experience in the system. Noah Lugo and Max Gerlich are redshirt freshmen making plays and earning reps. Lugo transferred in from BYU. Gerlich is a true freshman from Austin Anderson HS. 
• Robert Henry’s return was thanks to the JUCO ruling that allowed a year of extra eligibility and that was huge for the Roadrunners especially after the news that Brandon High Jr. hit the transfer portal. Guys like Bryson Donnelll and Will Henderson III will see increased roles because of High’s departure. 
• A healthy UTSA offensive line could be the key to an improved run game in 2025. The Roadrunners were devasted by injury at a few spots, but none more pronounced than in the trenches. Luke Lapeze is back and he was the expected starting center last year before injury. He’ll compete with Ben Rios for the starting spot at center. The loser has a chance to start at one of the guard positions. 
• Kamar Missouri is back to start at left tackle though he’s been limited in the spring. Jaylen Garth is back at right tackle. Cory Godinet and Venly Tatafu are known commodities at the guard position. Depth comes from players like Demetris Allen, Deandre Marshall, Trevor Timmons and others. If all are healthy come the fall, UTSA feels good with eight to 10 offensive linemen taking snaps. That’s a lot, especially in the G5. 
• UTSA loves its wide receiver and tight end rooms. The return of David Amador II unlocked the passing offense down the stretch of 2024. Devin McCuin and Willie McCoy, who isn’t practicing in the spring, are other known commodities at the position who grew with extended roles last year. DJ Allen Jr. is another wide receiver weapon the staff likes who is coming off an injury.  The big question mark is JT Clark and it is fair to wonder if he’ll ever be healthy enough to play again for UTSA. Houston Thomas, Patrick Overmyer, and Dan Dishman return at tight end. 

DEFENSE 

• While the offense is populated with a lot of familiar faces with experience playing at UTSA, the defense is the opposite story. That unit must replace stalwarts such as Brandon Brown, Joe Evans, and Jamal Ligon as well as stars such as Jimmori Robinson and Zah Frazier. 
• The Roadrunners have a long line of edge stars predating Traylor’s arrival in San Antonio. They replaced Trey Moore with Robinson and hope the duo of Vic Shaw and Nnanna Anyanwu replace the production at outside linebacker. Anyanwu was a player the staff loved heading into 2024 before he missed it with injury. He could be a breakout defensive star in the AAC. Cam Cooper is another name to know at the Will spot. 
• Expect the Roadrunners to add help through the portal at nose tackle. Chidera Otutu is the likely starter at that spot with the current crop on campus with Jameian Buxton, known as “Big Baby” also in the mix. 
• Tai Leonard (field end) and Jon Jones (boundary end) are working with the 1s right now. UTSA expects big things from former Oregon transfer Johnny Bowens III but he’s not healthy enough for spring practice. They do expect him as a full-go in the fall. Daemian Wimberly is expected to be in the two-deep. Mike Williams Jr. and Zechariah Robinson also figure to be in the rotation. UTSA plays a ton of defensive linemen and plans to do so again.  
• James Walley has come on at inside linebacker and that’s created some good competition at those spots. TCU transfer Shad Banks Jr. seems like a Week 1 starter. Kendrick Blackshire is reportedly down 15-20 pounds and that’s really helped him improve his game. Darion White was another name mentioned in the inside linebacker competition. 
• Anthony Pinnace III and Davin Martin were the first two names mentioned at cornerback. Nevada transfer Kaden Meier and redshirt sophomore Jakevian Rogers are also heavily in the mix at corner. 
• Tyan Milton is expected to start at one of the two deep safety spots. Elijah Newell and Jimmy Wyrick are competing for the other spot. Kenyan Kelly and Cam Upshaw Jr. are also in the mix. UTSA calls its nickel back the Money Backer and that spot is filled by the returning Owen Pewee, who could have a huge season for the Roadrunners. Bryce Grays is a former Washington State transfer who adds depth to the spot.