Things don’t happen overnight. They just sometimes appear to. 

In the case of Texas State, a decade of near FBS obscurity seemingly evaporated in an instant last season. Bobcat Stadium suddenly became THE place to be after years of sparse crowds, recording two of the largest attended games in program history. Texas State capped off the season by supplying SMU’s Gerald Ford Stadium with its largest crowd of the year – including SMU home games – in the First Responder’s Bowl.

This time last year, Texas State was trying to figure out if the 34-year-old head coach it just hired was going to be able to coach a team made up of mostly transfers to a winning season. That head coach, GJ Kinne, also imported most of his staff from FCS program Incarnate Word. Could it work? 

Twelve months in, which included the program’s winningest season since transitioning to FBS, and the answer’s an emphatic, ‘Yes’. 

The answer was actually apparent after the Week 1 win at Baylor.

“You couldn't have scripted a better start,” Kinne said of that opening victory. “I still don’t think people realize what we did there with that many new guys, a new staff going [on the road] to a P5, Big 12, in-state [school]. That was really cool. Man, that was a lot of fun.”

There were so many factors that made it all possible. The Top 20 offense. The defense that finished tied for first in tackles-for-loss? Kinne and company sold a brand of high-octane play on both sides and delivered exactly that. San Marcos has embraced a new cast of local icons, including the likes of Ismail Mahdi, Joey Hobert and Kaleb Culp. Local NIL collectives and deals with banks and restaurants are also helping raise awareness and support for the program. But Kinne’s right. Do people realize exactly how crazy last season was? How many new players were brought in within a few months of taking the field?

Fifty-three to be exact. Which makes this spring feel like a world away to a staff that spent most of last offseason on the road or hosting official visits for portal and high school recruits. They’ve made some key additions, but this spring and offseason has been about who is inside the building as opposed to getting people on board.

But with that excitement from uncertainty comes a new level of expectation. Texas State won its first bowl as an FBS program and finished 8-4. The Bobcats broke their all-time season attendance record with 127,107 total fans across six home games. The program’s average crowd per game increased nearly 21 percent from 2022. 

“We've just needed to establish these pieces together,” senior defensive end Ben Bell said. “And now you see everyone's starting to get on this field, there's a lot of people doing extra work (after practice). It's just so reassuring to see that there is belief, because belief is just the fuel that fires all these athletes up.”

But with added success comes added pressure. 

“I feel the honeymoon phase, that part being over. But that’s fun,” Kinne said. “I enjoy that.”

The staff didn’t help tamper expectations. After a brief and nearly catastrophic transfer saga that saw incumbent starting quarterback TJ Finley leave, Texas State added reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year Jordan McCloud to take his place. While the Transfer Portal typically ravages talented Group of Five teams, the only significant departures were WR Ashtyn Hawkins, who reunited with former head coach Jake Spavital at Baylor, and LB Dan Foster Jr.

But McCloud’s addition alone has fans thinking of Texas State’s first Sun Belt Conference championship in Kinne’s second season. 

“People say [this all happened] overnight and all that kind of stuff, but I don't even see that,” defensive coordinator Dexter McCoil Sr. said. “I felt like that this wasn't built overnight. Since we’ve arrived on campus, like it's been a daily grind. This is still a growing giant that's gonna continue forward. This is part of the process.”

With an administration in alignment from university president Kelly Damphousse and athletic director Don Coryell making themselves a presence on recruiting visits and events, it’s felt like a campus-wide initiative to push Texas State football farther than it’s been since it last won a Division II national title in 1982.

“I love this place,” Kinne said. “I enjoy going to baseball games and I enjoy going to softball games. You gotta get these fans something to be excited for.”

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN

Last season, Texas State finished 20th in the nation in points per game and 35th in points per play. The unit somehow could have a higher ceiling this year after an upgrade behind center.

Former James Madison quarterback and reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year Jordan McCloud’s signing was a coup for head coach GJ Kinne. McCloud threw for over 3,600 yards and 35 TDs for the Dukes, who went 11-2. All the hype is to be believed according to staff and players.

“He's in command of the offense,” offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich said without hesitation. “I've been impressed. He got here two weeks before spring ball and has been able to adjust, learn and take all the information and be able to really apply it to the field quickly.”

McCloud alongside running back Ismail Mahdi, who led the nation in all-purpose yards (2,014), form arguably the best backfield punch in the Sun Belt. Mahdi’s emergence last season after transferring in from Houston Christian was a revelation to Texas State’s big-play potential. He had opportunities to leave via the Transfer Portal but chose to stay another season. New running backs coach and Texas State icon Barrick Nealy helped bring in two of UTEP’s best former backs in Deion Hankins (812 yards) and Torrance Burgess (620 yards). Oh, and the Bobcats also return Lincoln Pare, who led the team in rushing in 2022 (772 yards) and missed last season with a torn ACL.

The biggest blow to the offense was losing second-leading receiver Ashtyn Hawkins to Baylor. But Joey Hobert headlines a wide receiver room full of potential that’s now coached by former Arkansas head coach and high school legend Chad Morris. Alongside Hobert will be Kole Wilson with players like Chris Dawn Jr., Drew Donley, Kylen Evans, Beau Sparks and Jaden Williams ready to elevate.

The offensive line returns a host of veterans too, including FCS All-American Nash Jones at left tackle alongside players like tackle Jimeto Obigbo and center Chayse Todd, who earned ample time a year ago. 

PROJECTED OFFENSIVE STARTERS

QB Jordan McCloud 3 6-0/200 Tampa, Fla.

RB Ismail Mahdi 21 5-9/180 Murphy, Texas

WR Kole Wilson 2 5-9/170 Katy, Texas

WR Drew Donley 18 6-2/180 Frisco, Texas

WR Joey Hobert 10 5-11/180 San Clemente, Calif.

TE Konner Fox 9 6-4/260 San Antonio, Texas

LT Nash Jones 76 6-5/320 Nacogdoches, Texas

LG Dorian Strawn 64 6-6/300 Ennis, Texas

C Chayse Todd 77 6-2/315 Crosby, Texas

RG Tellek Lockette 74 6-3/335 Miami, Fla.

RT Jimeto Obigbo 73 6-4/325 Arlington, Texas

K Mason Shipley 36 6-0/185 Liberty Hill, Texas

POSITION GROUP GRADES

Quarterback: A

Running Back: A+

Wide Receiver/Tight End: B+

Offensive Line: B

 

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN

When GJ Kinne promoted safeties coach and former Tulsa teammate Dexter McCoil Sr. to defensive coordinator, it wasn’t a move many expected, and he knows that. 

“Sometimes I think the natural thing for people to do is go hire, especially for me being a young offensive guy, some veteran defensive guy,” Kinne said. “Sometimes, you gotta give guys opportunities.”

McCoil, 32, is only seven years into his coaching career and just entering his third in college.

“I understand I'm a young coach, but I am knowledgeable,” McCoil said. “I know the game, but I don't have an ego. My ego is at the door.

“We are young ourselves (as a staff), but we are relatable to these kids, we know what they live. We've been there before. I think all of us that played collegiate ball played at a high level.”

He inherits a veteran defense that led the nation in tackles-for-loss under Jonathan Patke, who is now the DC at Duke. Senior playmakers like Kaleb Culp (48 tackles) and Ben Bell will (10 sacks) act as new leaders in a system that promises to be similar but not the exact same under McCoil. After all, it's still a unit that surrendered 36, 34, 31 and 77 points during the regular season. 

“You're gonna respect a coach regardless, but it's way easier to respect someone who's lived in your shoes and who's been where you want to go,” Bell said.

Tavian Coleman is back alongside Terry Webb up front, and Steven Parker (6 sacks) was brought in from UIW to add some pass rushing depth and could emerge as a starter.

Linebacker will be the biggest gap to fill. Both Brian Holloway and Dan Foster Jr. manned the middle of the field excellently in 2023 and now both are gone. Look for a committee approach to start the season with the likes of James Neal (UTEP), Max Harris (ULM), Kenny Haynes and Derick Mourning playing their parts until a reliable duo emerges. 

The secondary may be the most complete since the likes of Craig Mager and Darryl Morris. Culp, Tory Spears, Chris Mills and Joshua Eaton are all incumbent starters or contributors from last season. 

 

PROJECTED DEFENSIVE STARTERS

DE Steven Parker 0 6-4/260 Dallas, Texas

DT Tavian Coleman 91 6-1/295 Humble, Texas

DT Terry Webb 95 6-3/310 Galveston, Texas

EDGE Ben Bell 33 6-2/250 Cedar Park, Texas

LB James Neal 5 6-0/225 Paris, Texas

LB Max Harris 2 6-0/225 Montgomery, Ala.

NB Alonzo Edwards Jr. 4 5-11/195 Maddison, Miss.

CB Joshua Eaton 1 6-1/185 Houston, Texas

S Kaleb Culp 20 5-10/195 Dallas, Texas

S Tory Spears 12 6-3/205 Houston, Texas

CB Chris Mills 7 5-11/185 Converse, Texas

P David Nunez 38 5-10/185 Houston, Texas

POSITION GROUP GRADES

Defensive Line: B

Linebacker: C

Defensive Back: B

Special Teams: B

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Texas State may have the most unassuming 1-2-3 offensive combo in the nation.

Quarterback Jordan McCloud stands at 6-foot while barely impacting the scale at just over 200 pounds. Running back Ismail Mahdi is 5-9 and maybe a few bucks over 180 pounds, and receiver Joey Hobert stands at just 5-11 and 180 pounds. But in that trio, you have the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year, the nation’s returning leader in all-purpose yards and an All-Texas wideout affectionately nicknamed “Joe Dirt”.

Hobert’s first game in a Bobcat uniform, after transferring from Utah Tech where he was an FCS All-American, was highlighted by a circus one-handed toe-tap snag along the sidelines that went viral. Not only were the acrobatics one-of-a-kind, collectively everyone noticed the same small detail after seeing the catch replayed - he doesn’t wear gloves, which is something that’s almost a necessity for modern wideouts in today’s game. Instead, the lowkey Hobert opts for taping his wrists and using his bare hands. He hasn’t worn gloves since they were cut off of him after breaking his wrist in high school.

“I’m not opposed to wearing gloves but I’m able to make my catches without them,” Hobert said. “If that ball’s in the air, I'm gonna go get it and that's kind of how I've always been. I don’t care if there was a 6-foot-5 220-pound DB on me.”

A lack of aesthetic flash aside, his 895 yards and eight touchdowns last season doesn’t have anyone questioning his ability, particularly his coaches. 

“This dude, he looks like a bum,” offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich laughingly said about the first time he saw Hobert take the field with no gloves and shoulder pads flopping around. “But then he catches it on 4th-and-8, then he catches it and moves the chains. He’s just a ball player. I'm not gonna say anything to him, it's funny.”

His lowkey nature is about as succinct as his game. His route-running is pinpoint, and his game-winning touchdown against UL-Monroe proved that he’s Texas State’s go-to target in the clutch. 

“Being able to be a part of the team that builds up or builds back up the culture around the field, as well as off the field, I think is awesome,” Hobert said.

 

DCTF’s TAKE

Sleeping giant, no more. Texas State may have its best-ever team at the FBS level following a historic season in GJ Kinne’s debut. He’s only bolstered the ranks of an already experienced returning roster by adding the Sun Belt’s best player in quarterback Jordan McCloud from James Madison to raise the ceiling of an offense that was already one of the most exciting in the nation in 2023. There’s no reason to not consider the Bobcats one of the frontrunners in the conference. If the team can fill some holes, particularly at linebacker, Texas State could punch its way to double digit wins for the first time since 2005.

 

BREAKOUT CANDIDATES

WR Chris Dawn Jr. – Dawn Jr. likely won’t start in the two-deep, but he could end up there come the season finale. The Mesquite Horn product’s talent was evident enough that the staff found ways to get him on the field as a freshman.

STAR Michael Boudoin III – Boudoin arrived on campus as a safety last season, but the staff moved him to compete for the StTAR spot and at linebacker over this past offseason. He’s taken to the position well.

LB Kenny Haynes – A five-year vet who was recruited by the previous staff and who’s slowly worked his way into the two-deep conversation. Haynes made strides this past offseason on a team in need of linebacker depth. 

 

KEEP AN EYE ON

Last season, Texas State struggled when teams disrupted the rhythm of the offense and got pressure on the quarterback. Having Nash Jones back healthy at left tackle will certainly help, but does the addition of Jordan McCloud at quarterback alleviate the offense’s potential weakness? As explosive as the Bobcats were, you could look to games against UTSA, Louisiana, Coastal Carolina and Troy as big stumbling blocks when they had big opportunities to take an even larger step forward. 

McCloud’s play style is a little more attune to what Lindsey Scott Jr. was for Kinne and offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich at Incarnate Word. Can the results be the same?

 

CEILING/FLOOR

Ceiling: It’s crazy to imagine that the ceiling for this team is 11 wins with opponents like UTSA, Troy and South Alabama but … it kind of is that insanely high if all goes according to plan. Now, that’s a lot of moving parts that need to click into place, but the roadmap is there. 

Floor: Two years ago, seven or eight wins would have blown the roof off of Texas State’s ceiling. Now, it’s simply the floor. The talent is there to have the expectation of getting to another bowl, but after last season, San Marcos is going to see how high this roller coaster can go. Especially as GJ Kinne becomes a more sought-after name in coaching circles.  

 

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

We seem to ask this every year, but is this the year Texas State beats UTSA? If so, the Bobcats start 3-1. Not to mention that Arizona State isn’t exactly unbeatable, though, it’s still safe to bet on the Sun Devils.

The Sun Belt schedule tests Texas State right away with Troy and Arkansas State. If the Bobcats come out unscathed or with just one conference loss heading into November, they could be positioned to host the conference title game. The latter half of the schedule is a winnable combination of hot-seat and first-year coaches in Louisiana, UL-Monroe, Southern Miss, Georgia State and South Alabama.

 

2023 Record: 8-4

Sept 2 at Baylor W 42-31

Sept 9 at UTSA L 20-13

Sept 16 Jackson State W 77-34

Sept 23 Nevada W 35-24

Sept 30 at Southern Miss W 50-36

Oct 7 at Louisiana L 34-30

Oct 14 UL-Monroe W 21-20

Oct 28 Troy L 31-13

Nov 4 Georgia Southern W 45-24

Nov 11 at Coastal Carolina L 31-23

Nov 18 at Arkansas State L 77-31

Nov. 25 South Alabama W 52-55

Dec. 26 Rice W 45-21

 

2024 Record: 9-3

Aug 31 Lamar W

Sept 7 UTSA L

Sept 12 Arizona State L

Sept 28 Sam Houston W

Oct 3 at Troy L

Oct 12 Arkansas State W

Oct 19 at Old Dominion W

Oct 29 Louisiana W

Nov 9 at UL Monroe W

Nov 16 Southern Miss W

Nov 23 Georgia State W

Nov 29 at Southern Alabama W