3 UTSA Players to Watch vs. Texas

UTSA has struggled defensively at the start of the season.

Dec 19, 2023; Frisco, TX, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd wide receiver Caleb McMillan (5) makes a catch with UTSA Roadrunners safety Elliott Davison (29) defending during the fourth quarter at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images / Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

The UTSA Roadrunners will arguably face the biggest challenge of their season against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday. Not only are the Longhorns their highest-ranked opponent in the season, but they will be face-to-face with one of their best former players who made his way to Austin in the offseason.

Edge Trey Moore owns the UTSA records for single-season sacks (14/2023) and tackles for loss (18/2022. Moore was also named 2023 AAC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-AAC, and a three-time conference Defensive Player of the Year as a redshirt sophomore in San Antonio.

First-team All-AAC cornerback Kam Alexander was another loss for the Roadrunners as he transferred to Oregon in the offseason.

With these players' departures, UTSA must rebuild its defense to fight Texas' prominent offense, and following a first-time loss to rivals Texas State, the Roadrunners have a lot of work to do. Here are some names to look out for.

Tennessee defensive back Dee Williams (3) escapes a tackle by UTSA safety Elliott Davison (29) during a football game between Tennessee and UTSA at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. / Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY

1. S Elliott Davison

Senior safety Elliott Davison set the fourth-longest interception return in program history in the 41-20 home win over UAB with 76 yards in 2023.

A transfer from UIW, Davison appeared in all 13 games of his first season in San Antonio, including a start against then-No. 20 Tennessee. He posted 40 total tackles, 24 solo stops, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, one pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry.

In Knoxville, against the Roadrunners' highest-ranked opponent in the season, Davison made a season-high six stops, including one TFL.

In the 2024 opener against Kennesaw State, Davison made six tackles, and four in the loss to Texas State. He has yet to get back in the interception game.

2. LB Jimmori Robinson

Linebacker Jimmori Robinson played all 13 games for the Roadrunners in 2023 and drew one start.

Since the start of his redshirt senior season, Robinson has made two sacks, one in each game, leading the team. Against Texas State in week two, Robinson made five tackles, with seven total in the season.

UTSA didn't have a great start to its season and that is reflected in its players' early season statistics.

Nov 24, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tulane Green Wave wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) spins around UTSA Roadrunners defensive back Ken Robinson (21) during the first half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports / Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

3. DB Ken Robinson

Redshirt senior Ken Robinson started in 12 games for UTSA in 2023 and was unavailable in one.

Robinson led the team with 66 total tackles in the season, including 42 solo, two for loss, four pass breakups and one quarterback hurry.

Robinson started the 2024 season like he ended 2023: leading the team in tackles. So far, Robinson has recorded 13 for the Roadrunners, 12 solo and one assisted.