UTSA closes 2018 recruiting class with a duo of running backs

Typically the January and February leading up to a National Signing Day is a mad dash for UTSA and its coaches as the Roadrunners seek to complete their recruiting class and ward off Power 5 predators seeking to woo UTSA commits over to the dark side.

I suspect the mood in the coaches’ office was much more relaxed this winter than in previous ones as UTSA secured binding signatures from the overwhelming majority of their recruiting class during the early signing period. With few spots left to fill, the coaching staff was able to get a jump start on the class of 2019, offering many of the top athletes in the city and state well ahead of the Roadrunners’ recruiting competition.

UTSA added just three additional players to their 2018 signing class in the late signing period, two of which are running backs.

In the “What’s Next” section of my early signing period report I predicted that UTSA would invest the majority of their energy into trying to sway Cibolo Steele running back Brendan Brady from his commitment to the Rice Owls. UTSA running backs coach Everette Sands was successful in his mission as he and Head Coach Frank Wilson made a profound impact on Brady.

Brady is a phenomenal athlete that has greatly developed as a running back through his senior season of prep football. His vision and balance are improved and he’s now able to run between the tackles comfortably after adding weight and strength. Brady is best fit in a spread offense but would be successful in any scheme.

The second running back UTSA is bringing in to boost their depth in the backfield is one of the top junior college running backs in the country. Through two seasons at Santa Ana Community College, Deven Boston rushed for 2,091 yards and 28 touchdowns, maintaining a 6.2 yards per rush average through his JUCO career.

While Boston did not have any other reported scholarship offers, 24/7 thought highly enough of Boston to grant him a .86 rating, the highest of any athlete to sign with UTSA in the 2018 recruiting class. At 6’0”, 225 pounds Boston is a heavy-set back that reminds me of former Roadrunner Tyrell Clay who played pretty solid football for UTSA last year. Boston is tough to bring down and boasts surprising speed for his size. I think he’ll be a great 1-2 spell with Jalen Rhodes in UTSA’s offense.

Brady and Boston join JUCO quarterback Cordale Grundy who signed with the Roadrunners in January and started classes later that week. A dual-threat quarterback who suffered through some injury struggles last season, Grundy will increase the already heated competition for the starting quarterback role in 2018. Grundy will be able to join the team for spring work outs and get a jump start on learning the play book.

The addition of this trio leaves UTSA with three available scholarships for the class of 2018. I expect UTSA to be an active player on the graduate transfer market with these available scholarships. If the Roadrunners don’t strike iron there then the scholarships will likely be passed on to deserving walk-on athletes that have been with the program for at least two years.

Following today’s signing day the next major recruiting event on UTSA’s calendar will be this month’s Junior Day which is currently slated to take place on February 24th. The Roadrunners will seek to nail a few commitments to jump start their 2019 recruiting class after prospects get their first hands-on look at campus.