By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
Texas State head coach GJ Kinne views the first couple of weeks of fall camp as an evaluation period.
The Bobcats wrapped up their first week of practice Saturday with several key position battles underway, primarily at quarterback and running back.
There are plenty of new faces in camp this year, including offensive coordinator Landon Keopple.
Keopple was promoted from assistant wide receivers coach after Mack Leftwich departed for Texas Tech. He has previously worked with Kinne at Hawaii and Incarnate Word.
Despite the roster turnover, Texas State has depth in its most competitive spots.
“You find someone new every day,” said Kinne, entering his third season in San Marcos. “It’s been fun. For the most part, these guys are trying to please their coaches every day. That’s a good sign. They’re doing what we ask of them.”
One of the most closely watched position battles is at quarterback.
For the third straight season, Texas State will start a new signal caller.
San Antonio native Brad Jackson is the frontrunner to replace Jordan McCloud. The 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore played in three games as a true freshman last year, completing 8 of 15 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Challenging Jackson for the starting role are SMU transfer Keldrick Luster (5-10, 225, redshirt sophomore, McKinney), Auburn transfer Holden Geriner (6-3, 205, redshirt junior, Savannah, Georgia), Pitt transfer Nate Yarnell (6-6, 215, redshirt senior, Lake Travis) and freshman Gavin Parkhurst (6-3, 205, Fort Worth).
“The competition is really good so far,” Keopple said. “As long as I’ve been here, this is the most talented quarterback room we’ve had. We’re a bit inexperienced, so getting reps and team reps is important right now.”
The offensive line returns experience with left tackle Dorion Strawn (6-3, 315, senior, Ennis) and right tackle Sully Burns (6-7, 309, sophomore, Plano) anchoring the ends.
Defensively, Texas State was among the nation’s most disruptive units last season, ranking 14th nationally in tackles for loss.
Second-year defensive coordinator Dexter McCoil faces the challenge of replacing standouts Terry Webb (SMU), Dominique Ratcliff (Indiana) and Tavian Coleman (Colorado).
Senior defensive end Kalili Alexander (6-3, 225, Charlotte, North Carolina) is expected to lead the defense. He played in all 13 games last season, starting five.
“Every day, we’re in the process of getting better,” McCoil said. “We always talk about raising our standard in everything we do on and off the field. I think the new guys are doing a good job of bringing that to the field and holding each other accountable.”
Texas State opens the season at home against Eastern Michigan on Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
