American · 2026

UTSA

2025 record 7–6 4–4 conference
Postseason First Responder Bowl W 57–20 vs FIU
Head coach Jeff Traylor Year 7; 53–26
Scheme Multiple / 3-4 (DC Jess Loepp)
Conference
B−

McCown + Henderson + OL in a chaos-AAC = title-game conversation; D must improve from multi-year SP+ bottom-80

Portal
C+

Portal #11 understates retention + overall #4 HS riser

Depth
C+

Offense two-deep healthy; defense two-deep portal-veteran but unproven together; the depth chart is early

Market odds

To Win AAC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 7.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #4 41 commits · 195.97 pts
Portal #11 21 commits· avg 84

Roster notes

Leading story

Best non-academy continuity in the upper tier

QB

Owen McCown returns (undisclosed offseason surgery / limited spring — injury type unclear)

RB

Will Henderson III after Robert Henry Jr. left for NFL UDFA (Washington Commanders)

WR

David Amador II + AJ Wilson return; Devin McCuin (65–726–8) → Ohio State

OL

Returns three-plus starters

Defense

Portal project (~8 of 22 high-snap defenders back): Owen Pewee shifts inside; Elijah Baldwin (UTEP) edges; Tai Leonard returns

Key offense

  1. 01
    Owen McCown QB
    Returning
    • Colorado → UTSA
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 277/410, 2,995 yds, 30 TD, 7 INT
    • First Responder Bowl MVP (18/28, 295, 3 TD)
    • Highlights: 31/33, 370, 4 TD vs Tulane
    • Athlon 2026 preseason 1st-team AAC QB
  2. 02
    Will Henderson III RB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl) true freshman: 125 carries, 866 yds, 6 rushing TD (6.9 YPC)
    • 19 receptions, 132 yds, 2 TD
    • 2nd-most freshman rush yards in school history. Athlon preseason 1st-team AAC RB
  3. 03
    David Amador II WR
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season): 45 receptions, 443 yds, 4 TD in 11 G (battled turf toe
    • missed 2). Athlon preseason 1st-team AAC WR. AJ Wilson: 31 receptions, 528 yds, 4 TD, 17.0 YPR — 2nd-team

Key defense

  1. 01
    Owen Pewee LB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 31 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 7 QBH in 10 starts (money backer)
    • shifting to ILB in 2026 to replace Shad Banks Jr
    • (94 tackles, 1st-team All-AAC → Titans UDFA)
    • Most experienced defender left (~1,000+ career snaps)
  2. 02
    Elijah Baldwin EDGE
    Portal
    • UTEP → UTSA (San Antonio HS)
    • 2025 (regular season) UTEP: 25 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 4 PBU, 1 blocked kick
  3. 03
    Tai Leonard DL
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 16 tackles, 3.5 TFL in 9 starts
    • Athlon preseason 3rd-team AAC DL — top returning interior piece