By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
SAN MARCOS – The question on every Texas State fan’s mind is who will be under center when the Bobcats kick off the 2025 season in two weeks against Eastern Michigan.
While the quarterback decision remains the biggest mystery in San Marcos, head coach G.J. Kinne said Wednesday a choice is close.
“We’re getting pretty close to seeing what that looks like,” Kinne said during media availability on Wednesday. “We want to make sure we get through the second scrimmage (Saturday), so after that second scrimmage we should know more.”
Texas State is seeking a replacement for Jordan McCloud, the James Madison transfer who won the 2023 Sun Belt player of the year and threw for 3,227 yards last season.
Redshirt freshman Brad Jackson appears to be the front-runner.
The former San Antonio Reagan standout is the only one of the five quarterbacks on the roster who saw action in maroon and gold last season, playing in three games and completing 8 of 15 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Jackson said he learned a lot behind McCloud last year.
“He turned 25 last year during the season, so he had a lot of experience,” Jackson said. “Wathing him, the way he practiced and prepared, I was able to learn things from him. Being able to sit for a year and learn from him, that was a blessing in disguise.”
When asked if he was QB1, Jackson smiled and said, “That’s a Kinne question.”
Jackson is joined in the quarterback competition by transfer portal additions Kendrick Luster (R-So., SMU), Holden Geriner (R-Jr., Auburn) and Nate Yarnell (R-Sr., Pittsburgh, formerly Lake Travis), along with true freshman Gage Parkhurst from Fort Worth All Saints Episcopal School.
Kinne said all quarterbacks had “good things” to show in last Saturday’s scrimmage.
“They all did some good things and they all did some things they have to get better at,” Kinne said. “I thought we were pretty efficient, not a lot of turnovers. The biggest thing we’re looking at is, on every play, did you give the team an opportunity? It’s a mathematical equation back there at quarterback.”
Jackson said the transition from former offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich, who left for Texas Tech, to new OC Landon Keopple has been smooth.
“The offense is still the same scheme, which has made it easy,” Jackson said. “Keopple is a little more reserved, whereas Leftwich would get on you if you made a mistake. I think for us, as an offense, we’ve really come together through fall camp and the offseason. This is the first time since I’ve been here we’ve had this type of bond.”
The Bobcats will continue fall camp through next week before starting game-week preparations on Aug. 25. Kickoff for the Eastern Michigan game is set for 7 p.m. at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos.
