Scouting Report: UTSA

Jeff Traylor begins his 7th season at UTSA, holding a 55-26 record with bowl appearances in his first 6 seasons. The former Texas assistant has done a very good job navigating the choppy waters of being a G6 school in the portal era. The Roadrunners lost 10 transfers to P4 programs over the offseason, but were able to hold onto a few key pieces that should make them competitive in the AAC.

Offense

Owen McCown, son of former NFL QB Luke McCown, is entering his third year as the starter for UTSA. The East Texas native tossed 30 touchdowns and 7 interceptions last year despite playing through injury for a large portion of the season. So far in 2026, McCown has completed 72% of his passes with 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He is not much of a runner (2.6 yards per carry for his career). Accuracy and knowing where to go with the football are the strengths of his game.

RB Will Henderson stuck around San Antonio after a big 2025 campaign (866 rushing yards at 6.9 yards per carry). Henderson has elite speed.

The receiver group is solid, although they do miss Devin McCuin, who the Longhorns saw last week against Ohio State. AJ Wilson, David Amador and Mekhi Anderson are the top 3 options.

Jeff Traylor mentioned earlier in the week that UTSA is banged up at the offensive tackle position. Former Longhorn Jaylen Garth has received the bulk of the snaps at RT. The Roadrunners have not allowed a sack through 2 games, although the level of competition may have something to do with that (UT Rio Grande Valley and Texas State).

Defense

UTSA had to start almost completely over on defense. The top 4 tacklers from 2025 all departed, along with both starting edge rushers and the top 2 players in the secondary. Rushing the passer has an issue to begin this season (0 sacks from the DL).

Linebackers Brandon Tucker and Owen Peewee were two starters who returned from last year’s squad. The duo has combined for 24 tackles.

The Roadrunners are breaking in almost an entirely new secondary, and Texas found a lot of success throwing the ball downfield in their last matchup in 2024.

Final Thoughts

Jeff Traylor gave Texas a scare in 2022, with the two teams tied at halftime. The 2024 matchup was much more lopsided (56-7), and the 30-point spread reflects the talent gap between the two teams. Texas is coming off an emotional win, so a bit of a letdown wouldn’t be a surprise, but the Longhorns should be able to move the ball against a defense that ranks poorly in most advanced metrics.