UTSA is the forgotten team in the American Conference.
Tulane has been the rock star, Army and Navy have their niche, North Texas and UTSA were a blast last season, and programs like East Carolina and Memphis have been around the league since 2013.
Only three teams in the conference have had winning seasons over each of the last three years since UTSA joined – Memphis, Tulane, and … UTSA.
UTSA Keeps Winning, So Why Is It Still Overlooked?
© Sean Thomas-Imagn Images
(© Sean Thomas-Imagn Images)
All head coach Jeff Traylor has done is put together six straight winning seasons with seven or more wins after UTSA failed to hit the seven-win mark for six years in a row.
His teams play hard, they’ve been rebuilt and rebuilt again, and they keep on finding ways to be interesting.
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UTSA Quick Hits
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Head Coach: Jeff Traylor (7th year overall 53-26)
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Best Case / Worst Case: Win the American title/Struggle to get to six wins and bowl eligibility
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Key Player: AJ Wilson, WR Sr.
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Biggest Question: Can the offense crank out over 400 yards every time out?
UTSA Key 2025 Stats
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1st Quarter Scoring: UTSA 103, Opponents 66
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Time of Possession: UTSA 31:52, Opponents 28:08
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Two-Point Conversions: UTSA 1-for-1, Opponents 1-for-7
Offense
The offense should keep on working with offensive coordinator Rick Bowie taking over. He’s coming in from Western Kentucky, and he’ll want to keep the high-powered UTSA passing game rolling.
It wasn’t always smooth last year for the Roadrunners, but they were able to hold their own in a conference loaded with big-time scoring attacks. Enough talent is back to build on to make the offense even better.
What’s Working
Scoring. That’s obviously the entire point. When UTSA was able to put the biscuit in the basket, it won.
It finished 14th in the nation in scoring, averaging over 35 points per game, putting up more than 40 five times and winning all five, including against Tulane and East Carolina.
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It all starts with veteran quarterback Owen McCown, a strong midrange passer who threw for close to 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns with just seven picks.
He missed most of the offseason getting healthy, but if he’s back and right, the passing game keeps on rolling.
There’s a running game, too. Leading rusher Robert Henry is gone, but Will Henderson is back after averaging close to seven yards per carry, with 866 yards and six scores.
The other top runners are back, and coming in from Cal is Brandon High Jr., a 220-pound runner with quickness.
What Needs Work
UTSA had a few quirks in how the offense worked. It’s about a balance and total yards with this team. The Roadrunners were just 2-3 when running for more than 200 yards, and 1-4 when throwing 37 times or more.
However, the team was 6-1 when coming up with over 400 yards in total offense. Which matters because …
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It all has to work on the road. UTSA found its superpowers in the Alamodome with 400 yards or more five times, and close to that in the loss to Army.
On the road – and outside of the always-perfect indoor conditions – it got to 400 yards twice, cranking it up against FIU and Charlotte.
There are a few big losses in the receiving corps. It’s fine. The receivers in place are good, and more came in from the portal. The system will make them all statistical stars, but leading man Devin McCuin was a good one, and Ohio State figured that out.
Houston Thomas was one of the best tight ends in the conference, and he’s gone to Texas A&M, and fellow star tight end Patrick Overmyer is off to Houston.
Player to Watch
AJ Wilson, WR Sr.
Tall, rangy, and fast, the one-time Houston Christian star took the top off of defenses, averaging 17 yards per catch with 31 grabs for 528 yards. With McCuin gone to Ohio State, Wilson will get more attention on the outside.
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Defense
Jess Loepp’s defense was okay considering it had to deal with Texas A&M, USF, North Texas, Texas State, Tulane, and a slew of other great offenses.
It might have allowed a slew of points, but it attacked, was great on third downs, and when it found a groove, it took over.
What’s Working
Third down stops. This might not always seem like the biggest of deals, but considering the offenses UTSA faced, it was magnificent at this.
The defense allowed teams to convert 34.6% of the time, and only allowed over 40% in wins over Tulane and Incarnate Word.
The team has a decent safety situation with lots of pieces coming through the portal. It had to – more on this in a moment – and getting Joel Rogers (LSU), Nate Robinson (Marist), and Xavier Watson (Angelo State) should fill in the gaps right away.
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There’s plenty of bulk up front. The Roadrunners have the big guys ready to do more at tackle, with 325-pound Jameian Buxton, 340-pound Donald Qualte, and a few other 300-pounders for the rotation.
What Needs Work
Unlike the offensive side, the defense took a massive hit in the portal. From losing front seven guys Kenny Ozowalu (Oklahoma), Chidera Otutu (Cincinnati), and Nnanna Anyanwu (Virginia), to star corners Davin Martin (Texas Tech) and KK Meier (Cincinnati), to big-tackling safety Jimmy Wyrick (SMU), there’s a lot missing.
The linebacking corps lost two powerhouses. The edge rushers are fine, but the true linebackers on the inside have to step up.
Shad Banks is done after making 94 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and three picks, and Kendrick Blackshire is done from his spot in the middle.
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Not everything revolved around takeaways, but they were a major deal. Like last year, UTSA will be in a slew of shootouts against great offenses. It has to attack and come up with a slew of turnovers to survive.
The Roadrunners forced two or more six times and won all six games. and were 2-6 when they didn’t. They came up with 15 takeaways in the wins and only three in the losses.
Player to Watch
Brandon Tucker, LB Sr.
He’s not all that big, but the 5-11, 225-pounder can tackle. He’ll move up into a bigger role – likely in the middle – after making 39 tackles with three tackles for loss. There’s a shot he doubles his tackle total.
Keys to the Season
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Keep on cranking up the offensive production and don’t slow down.
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Be stronger in all phases of the return and coverage games.
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Try finding the same level of production and intensity on the road.
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Player Who Needs To Shine
James Walley, LB Jr.
Can he be the one who replaces the production at the Jack position? Shad Banks did a little bit of everything as one of the best all-around defenders in the American, and Walley managed 19 tackles with two sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss as the key backup.
Biggest Concern
Keeping up the pace.
The offense was great last year and should be terrific again, but it has to keep rolling every time out.
The offenses the Roadrunners have to deal with in the American – along with Texas and Texas State – will be amazing, and their own offensive side can’t blink.
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Biggest Game
at Tulane, October 24
Will UTSA really be a killer at home again? Considering how the American Conference schedule plays out, if it can hold serve in San Antonio against USF and Navy, a spot in the title game is almost locked in with a late October date against the Green Wave.
Transfer Portal
It’s a strength in numbers thing with this class, but there aren’t any obvious stars.
The defense took a big hit with several key players gone, but the Roadrunners brought in enough players to try filling the gaps.
Best Signing
Eddy Smith, DT (Texas Tech)
A true defensive end, the 6-6, 275-pound sophomore has the size and tools to become a force for the Roadrunner defensive front. He didn’t do much in his time at Texas Tech, but he’ll be needed right away.
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Biggest Loss
Devin McCuin, WR (Ohio State)
Talent-wise, flip a coin between McCuin and end Kenny Ozowalu to Oklahoma, and corner Davin Martin to Texas Tech.
McCuin caught 152 passes for close to 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns over a terrific three seasons with the Roadrunners. Now he gets his shot in the sun as part of the slot mix with the Buckeyes.
Other Names to Know
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Collins Acheampong, EDGE (Bowling Green)
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Elijah Baldwin, EDGE (UTEP)
CFN Season Prediction
The American overall is a tad weaker – North Texas and South Florida are sure to take a step back – and it’s up to UTSA to try filling the void with a big enough season to stay in the conference title race throughout.
As long as quarterback Owen McCown is in one piece, the offense should be dangerous and explosive.
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The starting 11 on defense should be fine, and it’s not a stretch to consider the combination of kicker Michael Petro and punter Caile Hagan as good as any in the conference.
CFN Prediction: 8-4
Can the Roadrunners win even more on the road?
The away date at Texas State should be another wild shootout – UTSA lost 43-36 last season – and forget about getting by Texas the week after.
Missing Army, East Carolina, and Memphis helps, but having to go to Tulane and – probably, if the Owl offense comes together – Florida Atlantic won’t be easy.
This is an eight-win team with the chops to make a push for the American Conference title. Do that, and the program will finally be noticed.
Related: American Conference Football Win Totals 2026: Spring Predictions for Every Team
