As Texas State enters its final season in the Sun Belt Conference, the program is riding a wave of momentum.
The Bobcats are coming off an 8-5 campaign that included a 5-3 conference record and a dramatic 30-28 win over North Texas in the First Responder Bowl — highlighted by Lincoln Pare’s 73-yard touchdown run and a clutch defensive stand.
The victory marked Texas State’s first-ever back-to-back bowl wins. With 43 experienced players returning, the team is well-positioned to make a strong final push before joining the Pac-12 in 2026.
Despite all of the experience returning, no Bobcats were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt teams. Third-year head coach G.J. Kinne was asked about this during Sun Belt media days.
“I’m not sure, I know we have [had] a bunch of really good players and… we don’t control that,” Kinne said. “We’ve had some really good players the last two years on our team, and I look for us to… continue that and win games.”
If the Bobcats want to end their Sun Belt tenure with a conference title, they will have players with plenty of experience with this coaching staff.
Roster Turnover
Despite some offseason departures, Texas State returns key players across the roster, providing a strong foundation for its final season in the Sun Belt Conference.
On the defensive line, redshirt senior defensive end Kalil Alexander returns after leading the Bobcats with 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season. He’ll be joined by redshirt sophomore defensive end Jo’Laison Landry, who added 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in a breakout campaign.
Pare, now a redshirt senior, remains a versatile threat out of the backfield. He finished second on the team with 554 rushing yards and led Texas State with eight total touchdowns, while also adding 12 receptions.
At quarterback, redshirt freshman Brad Jackson showed flashes of potential in limited action. He threw for 118 yards and rushed for 164 more, scoring four total touchdowns and offering a dual-threat option under center.
Jackson was named the starter on Wednesday and his consistency really impressed Kinne.
“[He is] really explosive through the air and in the run game,” Kinne said during his weekly press conference ahead of the season opener against Eastern Michigan. “He does a little bit of everything. He [is] just a stud, man.”
Sophomore wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. returns as the top target after posting 418 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season. The offensive line brings back a wealth of experience, anchored by veterans Tellek Lockette, Sully Burns and Emeka Obigbo.
In the secondary, junior safety Ryan Nolan leads the defense after recording a team-high 52 total tackles. Redshirt senior cornerback Trez Moore adds playmaking ability with two interceptions, while senior linebacker Treylin Payne is back following a season capped by a game-sealing interception in the final seconds of the First Responder Bowl.
Special teams remain steady, with redshirt senior David Nunez returning to handle punting duties. More in-depth information about what the 2025 Texas State roster may look like can be found here.
Schedule Breakdown
Texas State’s 2025 football schedule presents a balanced mix of marquee matchups and winnable games — an ideal setup to build momentum heading into next season.
The season kicks off Aug. 30 with a home opener against Eastern Michigan, offering a strong chance to build early confidence. The following week, the Bobcats travel to San Antonio for a heated in-state clash with UTSA. On Sept. 13, they head to Arizona State — now a member of the Big 12 — in a valuable early-season test against Power Five competition.
They return home Sept. 20 for the “Battle for the Paddle” against FCS-program Nicholls, an in-state rivalry that always draws energy. This will be just the third meeting since Texas State joined FBS in 2011 and holds a slim 16-15 lead in the series that dates back to 1980.
In Sun Belt play, the Bobcats face a slate of pivotal matchups that could shape the division race. A critical home game against Troy is set for Oct. 11, followed by a nationally televised showdown with James Madison on Oct. 28, airing on ESPN2. Late-season games against ULM (Nov. 22) and South Alabama (Nov. 29) could prove decisive in the division standings.
The road schedule includes challenging trips to Arkansas State, Marshall and Louisiana. Navigating those games successfully will be essential if Texas state hopes to win its first conference title since winning the Southland Conference in 2005.
Projected 2025 Record
Floor: 6-6
Ceiling: 10-2
Projection: 8-4
Story to Watch
As the Bobcats prepare for their final Sun Belt season before stepping into the Pac-12 in 2026, the overarching narrative is one of quiet transformation and rising expectations. Under Kinne, Texas state has delivered back-to-back 8-5 seasons, including bowl victories — marking a program turnaround unseen in years.
This season’s manageable hype may work in their favor. With fewer preseason expectations and more transitions — coaching promotions, massive roster turnover via the transfer porta, and open competitions at key positions — the Bobcats have room to surprise rather than disappoint.
A crucial angle to track is the middle-of-the-season stretch, where Texas States faces a defining gauntlet: home games against Troy and James Madison, plus road contests at Marshall and Louisiana. This stretch is likely where their championship hopes will be won — or lost.
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