Recruiting is starting to ramp up for Texas State after a relatively slow fall.
After receiving four pledges for the class of 2020 in June – Elkins linebacker Issiah Nixon, Whitmer (Ohio) defensive lineman Romelle Grier and Bishop Dunne linebackers Josh and John Emmanuel – and one in August with Tyler junior college offensive lineman Alex Costilla, the Bobcats went cold for the next four months. They received just one pledge during the regular season, from Independence Community College linebacker T.J. Kautai in September, but he withdrew his commitment in November before committing to Maryland on Sunday.
The cold streak ended this week with three pledges for the 2020 class – Butler running back Brock Sturges, Arkansas offensive guard Silas Robinson and Luling offensive tackle Trenton Scott. Sturges and Robinson are transfers with three years left, while Scott will have all four years coming out of high school.
Brock Sturges: After rushing for 1,985 yards on 240 touches (8.3 yards per carry) and 27 touchdowns on his way to a state championship at Allen high school his senior year, Sturges signed with Arizona State for the class of 2018. He only participated in one game in the 2018 season before moving back home and playing the next season in Dorado, Kansas at Butler. He gained 1,809 yards on 210 touches (5.2 yards per carry) and scored nine touchdowns in 2019. He was also named a NJCAA first team all-American in is lone season playing in the junior college ranks.
Sturges holds offers from North Carolina Charlotte, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, Akron and the University of Massachusetts. At 5’11’, 200 pounds, Sturges has the size, speed and experience to be an every down back for the Bobcats.
A desire to be back in Texas, a trust in Texas State coach Jake Spavital’s vision, as well as a chance to unite with a high school foe-turned-friend impacted Sturges’ decision on Texas State. He named Texas State quarterback Brady McBride as someone that affected his choice, saying he is familiar with McBride’s ability on the field from their days playing against each other at Coppell and Allen.
“We’d always have shootouts in those games,” Sturges said. “We would always beat them by a couple touchdowns but (Brady) would put up 30 points by himself on our defense. So I always knew he had something special.”
Sturges will sign later this month and enroll for the spring semester.
Silas Robinson: Originally an SMU pledge under Chad Morris for the class of 2018, Robinson flipped to Arkansas after they hired Morris. After sitting out his first year, he participated in six games this season as a redshirt freshman.
Morris was fired from Arkansas this season and is now the offensive coordinator at Auburn. But Robinson said the coaching change didn’t factor in to his decision to transfer as much as being closer to family did.
“(Robinson’s grandfather) passed away after our state championship (at Yoakum high school) my junior year,” Robinson said. “My grandma is my last living grandparent so I wanted to come home and get closer to her.”
At 6’4”, 306 pounds, Robinson was in talks to transfer to SMU, Rice and Houston. He ultimately decided on Texas State due to a strong relationship with Spavital and offensive line coach Clay McGuire.
Robinson also feels the program is on it’s way up and that he won’t be the only big time addition.
“Conference can get flipped quick with talent transferring in,” Robinson said. “And there’s going to be lots to come. We will get more transfers and juco guys.”
Robinson will enroll next semester and will participate in spring practice. He will need a hardship waiver approved by the NCAA in order to play next season.
Trenton Scott: The Bobcats didn’t have to look far for their third offensive line pledge. Scott, from just down the road at Luling high school, announced his commitment on Tuesday after making a handful of visits throughout the season.
At 6’6”, 262 pounds, Scott has offers from Illinois State and Colorado State with interest from Boise State, Baylor, North Texas and Howard Payne.
“I like the environment,” Scott said. “It’s going to get bigger when we win a bowl game next year. Ready to change this thing around.”
Scott will enroll in the fall after graduating high school.
While the Bobcats seemed to not be getting much traction in recruiting during the season, the coaching staff was still busy in the background. All three recent commits attended games this season on recruiting trips and visited again after the season before announcing their commitments.
Spavital said during the season that he wanted 10-12 signees on Dec. 18 before finishing off near the 25 limit on Feb. 5, with five to six of those of being from the junior college ranks and other transfers.
The Bobcats are close to commitments on a handful of other recruits, including some that are visiting this weekend.
Commitment watch list:
- Maureese Wren, outside linebacker at Tyler junior college. Visited last weekend along with teammate and Texas State pledge, Alex Costilla. Offers from Nebraska, Louisville, Mizzou, West Virginia, Oregon State, Illinois State and Southern Miss.
- Drue Jackson, receiver at Tyler junior college. Visited during the season and last week with Costilla and Wren. Offers from Boise State, Tulsa, ULM and UMass.
- Grid Isidore, Tyler junior college safety. Visiting Texas State this weekend. Offers from Tulsa, UNLV, APBU, Austin Peay and Northwestern State.
- Jahmyl Jeter, Oklahoma State running back. Visited Texas State during the season. Local prospect from Brennan high school in San Antonio. A redshirt freshman in the transfer portal that might have to sit a year if transfers. (Jeter announced his intention to transfer to Texas State a few hours after this was published.)
- T.J. Ficklin, Mississippi Gulf Coast safety. Visited last week. Offers from Coastal Carolina, Arkansas State, New Mexico State, Charlotte, South Alabama, North Alabama and Mississippi Valley State.
- Russell Baker, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M offensive lineman. Visited this week. Offers from UConn, Ohio, Western Kentucky, SFA, Idaho State, North Alabama, Indiana State and SE Missouri State.
- Austin Markiewicz, McKinney North offensive lineman. Visited during the season and last week with twin brother, Dillon who has a preferred walk-on offer at quarterback. Offers from Central Arkansas, Abilene Christian, HBU, Liberty and McNeese State.
- James Satterwhite, Miami (Oklahoma) offensive tackle. Visiting this weekend. Offers from Central Arkansas and Alcorn.
- Darion Chafin, Cisco College receiver. Visiting this weekend. Holds offers from Northwestern State and Incarnate Word.
- Brayden Staggs, Langham Creek offensive lineman. Visited during the season. Holds offers from Air Force and Lamar.
- JoVanni Stewart, West Virginia safety. Visited during the season and was visited by the coaching staff last week. A grad transfer that could play next season if he transfers.
