Spring practice standouts for Texas State football as Bobcats' roster begins to take shape

SAN MARCOS — Texas State football is two weeks away from its Spring Showcase, and the standouts are slowly beginning to reveal themselves in practice.

Quarterback Brad Jackson's connection with wide receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. has been as dominant as advertised, Bobcats head coach GJ Kinne said Tuesday. But other players have been shining, and they could be the answers to a few questions Texas State has yet to answer along its roster.

MORE: Texas State football's defense dials down intensity, ups discipline ahead of 2026 season

Here are some players who have been making waves in spring practice:

OL Cam Schultz, William Boone

Kinne said that offensive linemen Sully Burns and Justin DeLeon are favorites to lock down the left tackle and center spots, respectively. Although right guard is still up for grabs, Bamidele Badusimi is someone who's "getting close" to earning that position, as well.

There's a fierce battle at right tackle, however, and a few names have begun to separate themselves, including William Boone and Cameron Schultz, both of whom are showing potential. Boone, a redshirt senior who played three games at North Carolina last season before suffering an injury, is the more experienced of the pair.

"Boone's coming on ... He's just so big and has played some football, so that makes you feel good about it," Kinne said.

Schultz, meanwhile, transferred from Jones College and took a redshirt in 2025. Although he's smaller — measuring in at 6-foot-4, 291 — he's nimbler and stands out to Kinne for his athleticism. Jaylen Early and Rasheed Jackson are also competing to start at right tackle.

Texas State Bobcats head coach GJ Kinne leads practice at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)

QB Gavin Parkhurst

Kinne doesn't have to worry about who is starting quarterback is this season, but the backup job is still up in the air. With high school recruit Easton Webb recovering from an injury, Shaker Resig and Gavin Parkhurst are competing for the spot. Kinne and offensive coordinator Landon Keopple haven't named a favorite yet, but Parkhurst looks to have a lead thanks to his knowledge of the offense and physical tools.

"That guy is a really good player. He's talented. You can tell he's been in the system for a year," Kinne said.

Parkhurst is 6-foot-3, taller than Resig and Jackson, who are both 6-foot. He has also shown a livelier arm than Resig and is more athletic than he first appears.

"He's a sneaky athlete," Kinne said. "He just needs reps."

MORE: Texas State football prepared to take Pac-12 by storm despite light transfer portal haul

DBs Jayden Bradley, Darius Davis

Kinne seems to have no doubts about how the safety position will look next season. Ryan Nolan returns Jayden Bradley alongside him has been one of the stars of the spring.

"Jayden Bradley? Really good," Kinne said.

Bradley is a sturdy 6-1, 209 and is entering his redshirt freshman season. The former three-star recruit had Power Four offers out of high school and is poised to take on a larger role alongside Nolan and Jayden Lawton.

Freshman linebacker Darius Davis also has been a standout. Kinne mentioned in December that Davis is someone who could get early playing time, and the spring hasn't shaken the coach's confidence.

"If he stays healthy, he will play and play a lot," Kinne said.