Texas State Bobcats 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Texas State, was in a phrase, a dumpster fire in 2017. The Bobcats finished with just 2 wins on the season, with one of those wins coming against FCS member Houston Baptist, and the Bobcats scored just 20 points in that win. In all, the offense ranked 122nd in scoring, 101st in rushing offense, 82nd in passing offense, and 107th in total offense per game. Defensively, the news was no better. Texas State ranked 105th in points allowed pure game, 126th against the pass, and 102nd in total defense, and the Bobcats ranked 125th in turnover margin with a number of -15. It simply cannot get much worse in 2018, but it doesn't look to gt much better.
Breakdown Offense: The QB situation is still unstable heading into fall camp, as Willie Jones III and Jaylen Gipson, a RS freshman, are still trying to win the job. Jones completed just 48.6% of his limited passing attempts last season, and so this position still seems a bid void of talent overall. If the passing game cannot get going, there is little run game to support this offense.
Anthony Taylor is back at RB after leading the team a season ago with just 436 yards and 2 scores. He averaged 4.04 yards per carry, but could never get a consistent flow going. He only carried the ball 9 times per game, and that will not get it done in any regard. Robert Brown and Jaylin Nelson come in to back him up, but again, nobody is proven in this group, and the Bobcats desperately need someone to step up and blow up.
Jeremiah Haydel and Tyler Watts return at WR, but Elijah King, the top receiver from last season, is gone. Watts caught 40 passes last fall for just 332 yards, but is, by far, the best option returning. Hayel caught just 8 passes as a freshman, but started near the end of the year. Mason Hays is the penciled in 3rd receiver, but again, he has virtually no experience or production to rely upon. Hutch White and Caleb Twyford are in the mix for work as well, but this is a thin overall unit.
Elijah Rogers is the starting TE heading into fall camp, but caught just 4 passes last fall, and there is no depth here.
The line may be the best overall part of this offense, as 4 starters return in Aaron Brewer (LT), Jacob Rowland (LG), Reece Jordan (C), and Nic Foster (RT). Sophomore Josiah Washington is penciled in to start at RG. Kregg Lemons and Tanner King will try to provide some depth.
Breakdown Defense: Sami Awad is the lone returning starter on the line at NT, and he totaled all of 0.5 TFLs last fall. That's not a great foundation to build on. DT Jordan Mittie transferred to Kansas State leaving another hole. Jaquel Pierce is penciled in at DT, while Kumonde Hines is the projected starter at DE. John Lilly is the backup at NT.
The LB unit should be solid this fall, as Bryan London II and Frankie Griffin both return. London led the team with 91 tackles, and added 3 TFLs, while Griffin led the team with 11.5 TFLs and totaled 74 tackles. They also combined for 8 PBUs. Hal Vinson and Nik Daniels are the new starters in the 3-4 set. Hinson totaled 40 tackles, while Daniels added 35. Clifton Lewis could push for the ILB spot, while John Brannon and Gavin Graham add some depth.
JaShon Waddy (CB) and AJ Krawczyk (S) are the returning starters in the secondary. Waddy totaled 5 PBUs last fall, while Krawczyk forced 2 fumbles and totaled 74 tackles. This secondary did not create a single INT last fall, which is almost unimaginable in the modern era. Anthony Taylor (CB) and Jalen Smith (S) are the projected new starters. Josh Newman adds some depth at Safety, and could push Smith for the starting job. Greg Peace should win the 3rd Corner spot, while Preston Dimery is the 3rd Safety.
Breakdown Special Teams: James Sherman should hold the PK spot down this fall after connecting on 5/7 FG attempts last season, but Foster Hilborn is still around, and could share attempts once again.
Clayton Stewart is penciled in to take over at Punter as a freshman this fall.
Haydel was the primary KR man last fall, but was well below average in the job. The hope is that he can be pushed in camp. White was decent on PR duty, averaging 7.22 yards per return.
Final Analysis: The Bobcats are still very much a mess, and enter the season losing their final 4 games of last season, and 10 of their last 11. This program appears no closer to being decent in Sun Belt play than they were a year ago, and the roster looks like a sharp mess still. I am not certain what anyone expected from a former FCS program that could not even dominate and win big on that level before moving up to FBS football, but this is what you have. There is no real end in sight to the misery.
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