FB: Southern Athletic Association

Ron Boerger · August 14, 2025, 10:43:10 PM

Trinity posted their 2025 roster this evening. 40 freshman; the only addition to the numbers posted in May is an eighth WR. Jonathan Martin, a WR, returns after sitting out the 2024 season, and Jack Lugo, a LB, returns for the first time since the 2022(!) season. 5 transfers: sophomores Judson Crockett, a 6'0" DB (TCU); Dorien Hill, a 6'1" LB (UMHB) who had the game-sealing INT in the the playoff game last year; Jack Kayser, a 5'9" RB (West Point); Jackson Runyan, a 6'2" K (Navy). The D1 players saw no playing time last season. Junior Brett Harwell, a 6'2" OL (UMHB - DNP) also transferred. Finally, Trinity adds fifth-year 6'0" TE Jax Crockett, who as best as I can determine last played football at Austin Westlake HS in 2020. That adds up to 123, small compared to many D3 schools but typical of Urban coached teams.

In addition to the 20 losses to graduation, the Tigers had 14 players who did not return - 1 freshman, 11 sophs, 2 juniors. The biggest loss is probably WR Will Taylor, who as a junior led the school in receiving (41 receptions, 610 yards, 4 TDs) and also saw some time returning punts with 1 TD against Hendrix. Taylor went in the transfer portal and, at least as far as Xitter is concerned, still sits there. The only other significant loss was Jackson Barry, a LB who had 29 tackles as a soph and is now at Stetson.

Etchglow · August 15, 2025, 12:17:17 AM

Quote from: Ron Boerger on August 14, 2025, 10:43:10 PMTrinity posted their 2025 roster this evening. 40 freshman; the only addition to the numbers posted in May is an eighth WR. Jonathan Martin, a WR, returns after sitting out the 2024 season, and Jack Lugo, a LB, returns for the first time since the 2022(!) season. 5 transfers: sophomores Judson Crockett, a 6'0" DB (TCU); Dorien Hill, a 6'1" LB (UMHB) who had the game-sealing INT in the the playoff game last year; Jack Kayser, a 5'9" RB (West Point); Jackson Runyan, a 6'2" K (Navy). The D1 players saw no playing time last season. Junior Brett Harwell, a 6'2" OL (UMHB - DNP) also transferred. Finally, Trinity adds fifth-year 6'0" TE Jax Crockett, who as best as I can determine last played football at Austin Westlake HS in 2020. That adds up to 123, small compared to many D3 schools but typical of Urban coached teams.

In addition to the 20 losses to graduation, the Tigers had 14 players who did not return - 1 freshman, 11 sophs, 2 juniors. The biggest loss is probably WR Will Taylor, who as a junior led the school in receiving (41 receptions, 610 yards, 4 TDs) and also saw some time returning punts with 1 TD against Hendrix. Taylor went in the transfer portal and, at least as far as Xitter is concerned, still sits there. The only other significant loss was Jackson Barry, a LB who had 29 tackles as a soph and is now at Stetson.

Kayser was a pretty dang good running back at Westlake!

Ron Boerger · August 20, 2025, 07:12:23 AM

KABB-TV look at the upcoming Trinity season, with brief comments from Coach Urban, LB TJ Scannell, WR Alejandro Tavarez. Nothing earth-shattering (young team, QB battle for first time in forever, etc.) but as I often complain about local media not covering Trinity at least it's something.

tigerguy · August 23, 2025, 07:25:12 PM

Anyone catch Trinity's scrimmage or hear any feedback from someone who did?

D3Navy · August 24, 2025, 11:26:11 AM

Quote from: tigerguy on August 23, 2025, 07:25:12 PMAnyone catch Trinity's scrimmage or hear any feedback from someone who did?

Quick recap:

Trinity looked much better than Blinn. They seemed more evenly matched last year but there was clear differentiation last night. Trinity was notably stronger in the trenches. The O-line only has two returning starters but the whole squad was big and very physical and spent quite a while on the field together to "gel".

I think the backfield will surprise people. Huerta (Sr.), Nickerson (So.), and #32 all looked great. #32 had maybe eight consecutive touches on the last TU drive behind the 2nd or 3rd string line and is a bull. He plays bigger than 5'9", 180lbs. Since no RB is listed as #32 on the roster, I believe it was Jax Crockett, listed as a 5th year senior TE.

Welker Horn started the first scrimmage drive (after all of the drills for the previous 90 minutes). He looks very confident. Sharp passer and maneuverable in the pocket. Had a nice TD pass to Huerta out of the backfield from about the 8-yard line where he held the ball and took a step toward the line before stepping back and tossing to a wide-open Huerta. All of the other QBs got drives and performed well. Franklin and Gill showed some real speed on a couple of QB keepers.

I didn't see anything notable from the receivers other than very few dropped balls and a nice grab-over-the-defender by Cooper Brown (Fr.) for a TD thrown by Bishop. It seems clear that Bishop, despite being the senior, will be the holder, back-guy-during-punts, etc.

The linebackers are fast and applied great pressure. Sadly, I was catching up with a couple of people early and didn't get to really watch Dorien Hill much (UMHB transfer). It's clear he fits in on the sideline however, and he's a physical specimen. A great addition. TJ Scannell was roaming the sidelines in his football pants but pads off. I only noticed that later in the evening so didn't note if he played earlier. But he's a leader and I'd guess will be a Captain.

Kicking was terrible. But - none of the jersey numbers of the kickers/punters matched the online roster so I am confused. It may be that they were using the opportunity to develop some emergency capability(?). Hard to say.

I left enthused overall.

tigerguy · August 24, 2025, 09:12:03 PM

Special teams is so inconsistent at the D3 level that when you get 2-3 years of something special, it is even more glaring when they are gone. Going to be an adjustment period without Huettel.

tigerguy · August 24, 2025, 09:21:37 PM

Woah - I just saw that BJ Stewart transferred from Trinity to UMHB in offseason. Anybody have some insight into what happened there? Disciplinary issues?

Can't remember the last time someone from Trinity transferred to UMHB, although maybe there are some less notable examples.

Ron Boerger · August 24, 2025, 10:49:06 PM

Quote from: tigerguy on August 24, 2025, 09:21:37 PMWoah - I just saw that BJ Stewart transferred from Trinity to UMHB in offseason. Anybody have some insight into what happened there? Disciplinary issues?

Can't remember the last time someone from Trinity transferred to UMHB, although maybe there are some less notable examples.

He went in the portal either late last year or early this. No insight as to why but it's a big loss to lose your leading receiver. I can't find his Xitter profile for some reason but when I checked it a few weeks ago he hadn't announced a new home.

Trinity got a couple of transfers from UMHB which is also unusual.