UTSA football: Will Roadrunners contend for C-USA West title in 2021?
Roadrunners return 11 key defensive players
Another reason for the Roadrunners taking a step forward was their defense playing high-efficiency football.
In 2019, they averaged 33.9 points per game, which ranked 112th in the nation. Last season, under the direction of defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix, the Roadrunners had a defense tied for 41st in the nation in points allowed per game (25.7). The Roadrunners were also ranked 48th in the nation in total yards allowed per game (383.6). This is a unit that played well at each position and was utilized more efficiently than in 2019.
The Roadrunners will not return Nix as defensive coordinator after violating university policy on inappropriate sexual conduct. Jeff Traylor promoted safeties coach Jess Loepp and defensive line coach Rod Wright to be the co-defensive coordinators. Each coach will have a specific duty to help their defense be just as efficient, if not better, than last season.
The Roadrunners will have a big-bodied and experienced defensive line returning in the 2021 season. UTSA will rely on nose guard Jaylon Haynes and defensive tackle Brandon Matterson to be their run stop supporters. Haynes is 290 pounds and hard to push at the line of scrimmage, while Matterson is 300 pounds and plays the one-technique and three-technique well. Last season, defensive tackle Lorenzo Dantzler and Haynes each accumulated six tackles for loss.
While there is some concern of depth at the linebacker unit, the Roadrunners will be able to rely on all four of their starters returning in 2021.
Former Ole Miss outside linebacker Charles Wiley accumulated 43 total tackles and ten tackles for loss (No. 1 on team). Wiley and senior inside linebacker Trevor Harmanson will be the leaders of the linebacking unit for the Roadrunners. Harmanson accounted for 73 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three pass breakups last season.
The Roadrunners were impressed with the fantastic freshman season of inside linebacker Jamal Ligon who had 72 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries last season. Senior outside linebacker Clarence Hicks will be the Roadrunners’ other reliable playmaker on the outside as he will help with man coverage needs.
The biggest area of improvement from 2019 to 2020 was in the secondary.
Last season, the Roadrunners were ranked 49th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (221.3). They will have more depth to rely on this season, but they have more leaders in the secondary. UTSA returns 2020 first-team all-conference safety in Rashad Wisdom. He led the team in total tackles (95), solos (63), interceptions (4), and forced fumbles (2) last season.
Senior cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. will return as the No. 1 coverage corner for the Roadrunners in 2021. Last season as a freshman, Ken Robinson became the full-time starting cornerback, opposite from Mayfield. The Roadrunners will also return a keen-eye safety in senior Antonio Parks, who can great plays in the defensive backfield.