TXST FOOTBALL
Entering spring practice, the Bobcats faced the challenge of replacing key contributors from last year’s team.
Losing their leading passer, leading rusher, the three top leading receivers and 13 of the 15 top tacklers, Head Coach G.J. Kinne and his staff spent the spring looking for new leaders to lead the team during the offseason, which has seen players in Lincoln Pare, Chris Dawn Jr, Beau Sparks and Ryan Nolan step up into their roles.
“All of those guys have all really stepped up their leadership abilities,” Kinne said. “All of those guys are great kids too and great teammates. It’s their time to lead, and that’s been really good to see. Usually when your best players are your best leaders and your best kids, you get a chance to do something special. I’m really excited about that group and what they’re doing.”
One of the strengths of the Bobcat offense early on has been the Texas State rushing attack.
Lincoln Pare returns to Texas State as the Bobcats leading returning rusher after missing the 2024 season due to a knee injury. Pare rushed 554 yards on 95 carries and eight touchdowns for the Bobcats including rushing for 143 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns in Texas State’s bowl win against North Texas.
Also returning at running back is senior Torrance Burgess Jr. Burgess rushed for 367 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Along with Jaylon Jenkins and UNLV transfer Greg Burnell, the running back remains a strength for the Bobcats going into fall.
“We’ve always wanted to lean on those guys,” Kinne said. “Anytime you have a new quarterback with not a lot of experience you want to protect them. I feel like we’ve done a good job with that. We feel pretty confident that we can run the football.”
Looking to step up in the wide receiver room is the duo of Chris Dawn Jr. and Beau Sparks. Dawn caught 37 passes for 418 yards and six touchdowns while Sparks caught 25 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
Going through spring practice, Dawn believes the offense is going in the right direction.
“I feel like the team is doing good right now,” Dawn said. “We are all flowing into the right direction. We just have to keep coming together.”
While both Dawn and Sparks are looking to improve their skills from last season, the duo is also trying to step up their leadership roles within the wide receiver room.
“My game that I’m working on this year is releasing off the ball and getting better at blocking,” Dawn said. “In the leadership role, I just want to set a great example each and every day to the young guys behind me that are looking up and asking questions. Just being a better leader that way and keep going 100% every day. They just keep looking at me, and I keep doing me.”
Sparks agreed. “Just getting on my brakes and really being in shape,” Sparks said. “Being able to go those long nine, 10, 12 play drives. Then just being a leader in my room. Getting guys to rally behind me and just play at their max potential.”
With the amount of production both Dawn and Sparks bring to the offense, Kinne is expecting the duo to help lead the passing game.
“We’re leaning on them,” Kinne said. “Those are gonna be our guys this year, there’s no question about that. Those two should have a thousand yards receiving. They’re the real deal, fast and they’re great leaders. They work their butt’s off.
“When the leaders are those receivers or some of your leaders, that’s a good thing especially in our offense and the ball’s getting spread out so much. When those guys are your leaders, you have a chance.”
On defense, junior safety Ryan Nolan returns as the Bobcats leading tackler, making 52 total tackles, 30 solo tackles and two fumble recoveries.
“He’s taking that next step,” Kinne said. “Just an unbelievable kid and great player. Those are the guys you want in your program. Just one of my favorite guys I’ve ever coached.”
Thrust into a new leadership position, Nolan is prepared to lead the defense.
“Growing up, I was always labeled as a leader,” Nolan said. “Last year I kind of had a take on that role of just following first. I was always taught in order to be a leader, I had to be a good follower first. Being able to bring everybody else along, it means a lot to me.
“For the coaches to put me on that pedestal — [even though] I usually don’t like being in the spotlight — it just makes it seem like everybody is listening to me as long as what I do is right, everybody is going to get the job done.”
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
