UTSA vs. Colorado State: Asaad Chapman leads 5 key players to watch

When UTSA coach Jeff Traylor reviewed the video from Saturday’s loss to Texas, the Roadrunners’ cornerbacks group jumped off the screen.

Matching up against a pair of potential future first-round NFL draft selections in Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, UTSA’s defensive backs “competed their tails off” with pristine technique, Traylor said. The group created a few hiccups for the nation’s No. 1-ranked team, even as Texas eventually pulled away for a 30-6 win in Austin.

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While the entire Roadrunners defense gained confidence from Saturday’s performance, Traylor said he’s been especially pleased with UTSA’s cornerbacks, noting that “the playbook is wide open when you’ve got corners that can cover.”

“I would say it’s exceeded even our expectations, and our expectations were pretty high,” Traylor said. “Really happy for that room right now.”

The Roadrunners entered preseason camp anticipating that corner might be the team’s deepest and most talented position group.

Ahamad Chapman, a late addition to the 2025 roster as a junior college transfer from San Bernardino Valley, emerged through the year and became a starter in UTSA’s final four games, preserving a redshirt.

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UTSA

How Roadrunners’ defense eliminated big plays from No. 1 Texas

He was joined this season by his twin brother Asaad Chapman, also a transfer from San Bernardino Valley.

RJ Lester arrived last year as a transfer from Oklahoma State and a projected starter for UTSA, but a heart issue that required surgery kept him sidelined until the Roadrunners’ bowl practices. Now fully healed, Lester entered 2026 as a Week 1 starter.

Zach Morris, a New Mexico transfer, is also finally showing what he can do in his third year as a Roadrunner, earning the start on Saturday after spending most of the past two years hampered by an ankle injury.

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Traylor credited seventh-year cornerbacks coach Nick Graham for recruiting and developing the group, and even inside linebacker Brandon Tucker pointed to Graham’s work as a reason for the group’s success.

“Every week he gets after it, and he’s very hard on his guys,” Tucker said. “Those guys love him. Everybody’s bought in.”

Five players to watch as UTSA aims to build on the high notes against Texas in Saturday’s home matchup against Colorado State:

1. Asaad Chapman, cornerback

No player earned more respect for his performance against Texas than Asaad Chapman, who even drew the praise of former Roadrunner and current Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Tariq Woolen on social media.

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Asaad was targeted five times in the game and allowed just one catch for 7 yards, per Pro Football Focus, delivering his highest-graded performance in the year’s toughest matchup.

Traylor was also complimentary of Ahamad’s play against the Longhorns before he left the game due to injury. Ahamad is questionable for Saturday’s matchup against Colorado State, Traylor said.

“We knew that when we got them in here, they were going to be special,” Traylor said. “They’re showing how special they are right now.”

2. Owen Pewee, linebacker

Shifting back to the edge position he had manned for most of his career at UTSA, Pewee was disruptive against Texas, notching six tackles and forcing a fumble against Arch Manning.

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Pewee had been focused on bulking up and shifting to inside linebacker this year, believing the position change would help his pro potential following four years at UTSA’s money backer spot, which plays like a hybrid of nickel, safety and pass-rusher.

But after talking with Traylor about the lack of depth at the money backer position following an injury to Chris Bryson, Pewee slid back to his old spot. Traylor said Pewee will man both roles through the year depending on matchups, showing a continued willingness to play on special teams that makes him “a dream to coach.”

Pewee said his time on the inside helped him gain a better understanding of how to identify opponents’ plays and formations, and he hopes the move is “a good way to show the NFL scouts I’m versatile.”

“I’ve been playing this position my whole life at UTSA, so it was just natural to me,” Pewee said. “Wherever coach played me, I’m going to go out there and play.”

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3. Owen McCown, quarterback

Facing constant pressure from Texas’ defense and getting behind the chains because of penalties, McCown posted the lowest passing total in any of his 30 starts at UTSA, hitting 14 of 23 passes for 70 yards with an interception.

The pressure should be less ferocious against Colorado State, and McCown said he’s learning to navigate having limited time behind a banged-up offensive line.

“You try not to let it get to your head. You just got to keep playing,” McCown said. “The scenario calls for a scramble and throw away, go make a play. That’s what I’m trained to do and what I have to do.”

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4. Will Henderson, running back

Henderson appeared to be UTSA’s most impactful weapon against Texas, using his speed to attack the perimeter for 46 yards across six carries on the Roadrunners’ opening drive.

The Longhorns adjusted, and Henderson finished with just 38 rushing yards on 10 attempts. But he should have an easier time against a Colorado State team that ranks in the bottom five nationally by allowing 227 rushing yards per game on an average of 5.97 yards per carry.

5. Brandon Tucker, linebacker

UTSA’s top tackler for a second straight week, Tucker notched 11 tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss against Texas after racking up 13 stops against Texas State.

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He leads the Roadrunners with 29 total tackles this year.

“I can’t take full credit for that. That’s totally the defensive scheme and the D-line beating and taking on blocks for me,” Tucker said. “So, I’m just going out there and just doing my job.”

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This article originally published at UTSA vs. Colorado State: Asaad Chapman leads 5 key players to watch.

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