Five players ready to step up at G5 schools (non-Houston division)

[caption id="attachment_23138" align="alignright" width="300"]Photo by Mary Scott McNabb Photo by Mary Scott McNabb[/caption] The 2015 season was forgettable for the G5 schools in Texas not named Houston. Rice missed a bowl game for the first time in years. SMU went through growing pains under first-year head coach Chad Morris. UTSA, North Texas and Texas State performed so well that each program brought in a new coach to change the direction, and trajectory of the team. UTEP’s season was ruined when running back Aaron Jones went down against Texas Tech with an injury. It’ll take new faces stepping up (and a few old ones taking on bigger roles) for those five programs to challenge for a bowl bid. SMU – Alex Honey It is only a matter of time before Morris has the SMU offense running at full speed. The former Lake Travis head coach and Clemson offensive coordinator will figure out how to put up points. One of the new faces for this mission is redshirt freshman Alex Honey. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver from Denton Guyer gives SMU more height at the position. Rice – Austin Walter Touches won’t come easy at running back for Rice in 2016 thanks to the return of senior Darik Dillard and sophomore Sam Stewart. That won’t stop fellow sophomore Austin Walter from making an impact. He was named Conference USA All-Freshman last season after leading the Owls with 1,097 all-purpose yards. Walter averaged 5.8 yards per carry and racked up 652 yards in kickoff returns. North Texas – Alec Morris The Mean Green need to improve on offense under first-year head coach Seth Littrell, and finding a JUCO quarterback to bridge the gap in 2016 was crucial. In steps former Alabama quarterback Alec Morris. The senior can play right away after four seasons with the Crimson Tide. During his prep career, Morris left Allen High School as one of the top 30 quarterbacks in the country. UTEP – Devin Cockrell He’s back. After making significant contributions as a freshman and sophomore, Cockrell was forced to sit out the 2015 season with an injury. He redshirted, rehabbed and should be ready to fill the strong safety spot for the Miners this season. He started 24 combined games in 2013 and 2014, earning All C-USA Honorable Mention as a sophomore and led the team in tackles as a freshman. UTSA – Jalen Rhodes Sure, Jarveon Williams will get most of the publicity and he’ll likely leave UTSA holding every rushing record on campus. But if the Roadrunners want to build on their rushing attack in 2016, sophomore Jalen Rhodes needs to become a trusted member of the duo. Rhodes, originally from Rowlett, suffered through major injuries after signing with UTSA in 2013. Last season was his first to suit up in college and he looked great in the spring game.

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