KINNE ERA BEGINS

Football team kicks off first spring practice

The first day of spring practice has finally arrived as the Texas State Bobcats usher in a new era under head coach GJ Kinne.

Despite the coaching change, senior defensive back Tory Spears didn’t see any changes in terms of vitality.

“The energy is not necessarily different,” Spears said. “With the new people coming in, everybody is on the same page. Everyone is ready to rock and roll. The energy is always going to be there.”

With this being the first day of spring practice, Kinne said he was happy with the team’s hustle as the players focus on adjusting to a new system and scheme.

“It was a really good first day,” Kinne said. “Both the energy and the effort were there. Obviously being the first day, there are the small details we have to clean up. But the effort and the things we can control were really good.”

As the Bobcats took the field with only helmets, shirts and shorts, the dynamic of the first was a little different than usual than being fully suited up.

“The main emphasis was taking care of each other,” Kinne said. “Obviously we were going fast, doing your assignment and staying up.”

One of the main focuses during the offseason for the Bobcats has been cranking up the tempo.

A strength of both the offense and the defense for the 2022 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team was their ability to pick up pace and continue moving the ball which led UIW to having one of the most explosive offenses in the country at the FCS level.

Though the first day was a sign of progress, Kinne and his staff will continue to put emphasis on making sure the Bobcats are light on their feet.

“Just from an overall practice standpoint, the tempo was really good,” Kinne said. “That is something we will continue to work on. We harped and preached on it all offseason for both the offense and the defense in getting lined up and making sure the call is right.”

This year’s team has seen an influx of new transfers coming onto the roster in addition to the players who have made major contributions to the Bobcats during the 2022 season.

Though the start of the offseason had its fair share of awkward moments, the team has quickly rallied around each other.

“It was a little different at first,” Spears said. “Everyone was a little shy at first not wanting to speak to one another. But once everyone started to lift weights and encourage everyone, it was a brotherhood… It’s 'I got your back and I have your back no matter if it’s offense or defense.' I haven’t been a part of a program where it clicks like that.”

One of the new faces in San Marcos is former UIW offensive lineman Nash Jones who is one of seven Cardinal players that transferred to Texas State.

Though being one of the new kids on the block was difficult at first, Jones found himself ingrained with the Texas State football team.

“It’s been cool,” Jones said. “It was a nice transition and everybody is ready to get to work which is great to see. It was rough for the first week or two because of the growing pains, meeting new people, or just trying to find where the restroom is. But once I got the layout, everyone wants to get to work and win football games here.”

One of the pivotal moments for Jones was during offseason workouts.

“I love the weight room and Coach Huth,” Jones said. “Once we got in there and started lifting heavier weights, I saw the guys come around and start hyping me up to lift the weight. It was there I saw that we were becoming a team and being one unit.”

Spring practice continues throughout the month of March and into April before concluding with the Maroon & Gold Spring Game. Follow and subscribe to the San Marcos Daily Record online for updates to Texas State Spring Practice.