UTRGV receivers making progress during spring ball

1 month ago 58

EDINBURG — As the weeks of spring ball have passed, the UTRGV football team has continued to make strides offensively.

On Thursday, practice No. 11 of 15 of the spring for the Vaqueros, UTRGV pass-catchers had a strong day during the 7-on-7 portion of practice, during 11-on-11 team action and during live goal-line work.

Defenses typically start a little ahead of offenses at practice at most levels, but explosive plays have become more frequent, there’s been more room to run in the ground game and the Vaqueros have made more visits to the end zone.

“We’re growing each and every day, getting 1% better every day,” redshirt freshman and Texas State transfer Xayvion Noland said. “We’re taking good coaching from all the coaches out here. They give us great advice every day to where we can help the team and help ourselves grow.”

UTRGV’s spread offense has featured three to four receivers along with a tight end and/or running back on most downs.

The first group for Thursday’s practice and for the majority of the spring has included Noland, redshirt freshman and Texas Permian Basin transfer Justin Herman and freshman and San Marcos High alumnus Tony Diaz.

Diaz missed a few days with an ankle injury but made his return to full practice in a big way Thursday with two touchdowns during 7-on-7 and another in the red zone during 11-on-11.

“It’s a good feeling getting in the end zone and scoring, but we couldn’t do it without our line and quarterback,” Diaz said. “Big decisions coming soon so we just have to work hard and stack good days.”

Noland has made a habit of getting behind the defense and working nicely along the sideline and near the first-down marker. Noland played for UTRGV head coach Travis Bush at Canyon High School, where he racked up 1,260 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior in 2022.

“We have a great offensive line, great quarterback that helps me do what I can do,” Noland said. “We’re all playing as a team, getting closer, building chemistry on and off the field, so all collectively together, I feel like we can do good things.”

Herman has operated out of the slot and has been a consistent target throughout spring practice. His work in short spaces allows him to get open and go to work running quick and intermediate routes.

“I’ve been doing it my whole life, ever since I was little I’ve been in the slot,” Herman said. “It’s definitely pretty easy when my coach was a former slot and he played at a high level. You got to be gritty, you got to be able to make plays in traffic and be that guy.”

Redshirt freshman and Oklahoma State transfer Braden Baize has been putting together a solid spring and worked his way into running with the first team as the fourth receiver. He had a couple of big catches during Tuesday’s live scrimmage and made a diving grab down the right sideline during 11-on-11 work Thursday.

Atascocita alumnus Cameron Glenn and Corpus Christi Veterans alumnus and Air Force transfer Christian Sabsook have made plays running with the first and second teams. Their combination of size, speed and strength has allowed them to get open and win downfield.

Tyler Junior College transfer Tavian Cord and San Antonio O’Connor alumnus Luke Valdez also have put together some good reps through the spring, and Atascocita alumnus Kyran Lee and Converse native Gunner Naivar have worked their way back onto the field after missing time with injuries.

While UTRGV currently has 16 receivers listed on its spring roster, Bush said it’s one of multiple positions the Vaqueros might be looking to bolster through the transfer portal in April and May.

“We’d like to see more consistency. Talented group without a doubt, but for this offense to go, the receivers have to be consistent,” Bush said. “They play a huge part in it and several of them have shown signs of greatness, which is good. Most of them are fairly young, so it’s about getting them to play on that consistent level day-in and day-out. That’s a key position we’re evaluating right now because that’s going to determine what we try to go get in this April (transfer) portal. Do we need to go find more receivers? Do we feel comfortable where we’re at, or do we need to go get some older guys? There’s several positions that are in that boat, and receiver is one of them. We like the guys, we love them, talented group, but really looking for some guys to step up and for some playmakers.”

UTRGV has two more practices Saturday and Monday, will have a light walkthrough Wednesday, and then the Vaqueros will kick off their first spring game in program history at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at Brownsville Veterans Memorial High School in Brownsville. Tickets are free and available at UTRGVTickets.com.