TXST Spring Quarterback Battle

By Colton Gibson

Sports Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State University football program has caused a stir amongst Bobcat football fans. Following the selection of G.J. Kinne as the next head football coach, many changes have been made regarding the way this team looks and plays as they prepare for the start of the new season.

While the Bobcats have found their off-field leader in G.J. Kinne, the search for the on-field leader in the form of a quarterback is still in full swing. The quarterback room sits at five with only two returning from last year’s team. The two front runners for the starting job seem to be Malik Hornsby and CJ Rogers.

Malik Hornsby is a junior transfer student from Missouri City, Texas. Hornsby spent the first three seasons of his college career playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC. When he enrolled at Texas State in January, Hornsby became the highest ranked high school recruit in the history of Texas State football. Kinne described Hornsby as an amazing athlete. When he is not beating defenses with his arm, he does it with his legs.

CJ Rogers is a redshirt-sophomore transfer student from Argyle, Texas. Rogers spent his first season at Baylor before transferring to Texas State last summer. While he has not received playing time with the Bobcats yet, he shows potential and promise to become a leader very soon for this team. Kinne described Rogers as a true pro style quarterback with a huge arm.

During the annual spring scrimmage on April 22, both Hornsby and Rogers received the bulk of the playing time and they both performed well with both of them throwing for over 100 yards. Malik Hornsby ran his plays with the first team offense while CJ Rogers played with the second team. Despite this, Kinne was reluctant to give a confirmed name of who would be leading the Bobcat’s offense this season.

Coach Kinne has had positive things to say about both quarterbacks and how much they have grown and improved as players and leaders throughout the offseason. Kinne certainly has not made the decision any easier by having equally talented players such as TJ Finley and Derek Mata filling up the quarterback room with new talent that will keep the top guys motivated.

While a decision is not currently imminent, it will come sooner or later. Will it be Malik Hornsby? Will it be CJ Rogers? Will it be neither or will it be both? Nobody knows and many want to know as this year’s edition of the Texas State football team will be led by the person of Kinne’s choice. The Bobcats open their season against the Baylor Bears on Sept. 2 in Waco.