By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

SAN MARCOS – Texas State head coach GJ Kinne wouldn’t call himself a chess master, but his work in the transfer portal suggests he knows how to play the long game.

As the Bobcats enter Kinne’s fourth season, Texas State added 19 players in the transfer portal, along with 19 signees from the early signing period (Dec. 3-5), addressing key needs on defense and along the offensive line.

“This go-around in the portal was a lot better than a year ago,” Kinne said during Wednesday’s media availability. “With us going into the Pac-12, there was a huge emphasis starting from last spring to get to where we needed to be and make a couple of late pushes to keep heading in the right direction as far as resources.

“We needed to play catch-up, and the administration did a great job of addressing that.”

Defense was a major focus for Kinne and his staff, including new defensive coordinator Will Whindam, secondary coach Marcus Patton and defensive line coach Chris Gistorb.

Texas State signed 11 defensive players from the portal – six defensive linemen, two linebackers and three defensive backs – in addition to seven defensive signees added during the early signing period.

The Bobcats needed help on that side of the ball after ranking 78th nationally in total defense, 61st in passing defense and 89th in rushing defense last season, while also losing several key defensive contributors.

“I thought we did a great job of addressing some needs, and I thought we did a great job of roster management with signing high school kids,” Kinne said. “If you don’t sign high school kids, you’re going to be in a tough spot once you get to the portal.”

Offensively, Texas State retained running backs Greg Burrell and Jaylen Jenkins, helping solidify one of the nation’s top returning units. The Bobcats also return quarterback Brad Jackson and wide receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr.

Texas State ranked fifth nationally in total offense last season on the way to a 7-6 record and an Armed Forces Bowl victory, the program’s third straight bowl win.

Kinne and his staff also added two quarterbacks to fill depth needs after transfers Holden Griner (Pitt) and Keldrick Luster (Ball State) departed, along with the graduation of Nate Yarnell.

The key addition is Shaker Reisig, a transfer from Boston College. Reisig is joined by incoming freshman Easton Webb from Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

“We told every quarterback that we recruited that Brad was the quarterback, so that’s kind of hard to recruit someone when you know who the starting quarterback is going to be,” Kinne said. “Shaker is not afraid to compete. He wanted a chance to develop. I really like his demeanor, his makeup and what he’s about. He’s super confident.”

Transfer portal signees

Note: All signees listed are enrolled at Texas State.

Early signing period signees

Note: Players in bold enrolled at Texas State in January