UTSA adds standout transfer Josh Croslen to roster

The UTSA Roadrunners reported to fall camp today, eager to take to the field and bounce back from a three win season in 2018. With the program set to start practices tomorrow, Roadrunner fans received a pleasant surprise after the fall roster was released to the press.

Josh Croslen, a 6’2”, 270 pound defensive lineman, has transferred to UTSA from Bowling Green after starting in nine games through an injury-plagued sophomore season. Croslen was heavily recruited by UTSA out of Cibolo Steele High School outside of San Antonio, but the athletic prospect followed his former high school coach Mike Jinks to Bowling Green. Croslen picked the Falcons over offers from Minnesota, Air Force, Colorado State, and Houston.

The former three-star recruit wasted no time in proving that the talent evaluators were accurate in their assessments. Croslen found playing time immediately in the Falcons’ then-destitute program, racking up 16 tackles, four quarterback hurries, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack as a true freshman.

Croslen built on a successful freshman season by moving into a starting role for Bowling Green last year. The San Antonio product was a stalwart on the Falcons’ defensive line, quickly totaling 21 tackles through nine games before injury cut his season short. Most impressively, Croslen was credited with 5 tackles in a road contest against Oregon.

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While Croslen’s eligibility is still in question, typically student-athletes are forced to sit out a year when transferring from one FBS program to another. Since Croslen is returning from out of state to his hometown, he may be able to petition for a hardship waiver to grant immediate eligibility if he has a qualifying reason to transfer, such as a medical emergency in his family.

Even if Croslen is unable to play this season, he’s a welcome addition to a program that was starting to look a little thin at defensive tackle. Seniors Baylen Baker and King Newton Jr. will depart after this season, and Croslen figures to be a likely starter once his sit out season is complete.

Looking back at Croslen’s high school film, his athleticism is evident. Incredibly quick for a man of his size, Croslen also flashes terrific technique, often sneaking his hands underneath the chest plate of would-be blockers to take total control on the line of scrimmage. Now that Croslen’s body has matured in a college weight program, he should be even more dangerous on the field.

While we await word on Croslen’s eligibility status, Roadrunner fans won’t have to wait long to get a glimpse of the hometown star. UTSA is hosting an open practice at their Park West facility on August 17th. Fans will be able to watch the team practice from 9:15 am to 11:15 am, and players will be available for autographs beginning at 11:30 am.

The Roadrunners will kick off their 2019 campaign at home against Incarnate Word on August 31st.