UTSA vs. Navy: 5 key players to watch as Roadrunners set new single digits
· Yahoo Sports
With the regular season halfway finished after last week's 31-24 win against South Florida, UTSA coach Jeff Traylor decided to fill some open real estate at the top of the roster.
Visit salonsustainability.club for more information.
Through each year since Traylor's arrival in 2020, the Roadrunners have held a preseason vote to award single-digit jerseys to the standouts who demonstrate high on-field performance while upholding the program's culture.
UTSA Roadrunners cornerback Asaad Chapman (17) looks on during the first quarter against the Colorado State Rams in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, Sept., 26, 2026. (Zach Del Bello/San Antonio Express-News)The 2, 1 and 0 digits of San Antonio's area code were always considered the highest honor, but as UTSA ramped up for 2026, those three numbers were the only ones handed out during preseason camp.
In an era of heavy roster churn due to the transfer portal, Traylor wanted more than a single offseason to determine which players were worthy of those roles. He acknowledged that sticking to just the 210 might be easier, but the idea of a single-digit jersey has become entrenched in UTSA's program, standing as something the players aspire to.
More Information
UTSA single-digit jerseys0 - David Amador II, Jeremiah Bailey
1 - Camron Cooper, Will Henderson III
2 - Owen McCown, Owen Pewee
3 - RJ Lester Jr., Michael Petro
4 - Mekhi Anderson, Brandon Tucker
5 - Darion White
6 - Jusiah Sampleton
7 - Ahamad Chapman, Brandon High Jr.
8 - Asaad Chapman
9 - Jameian Buxton
Additionally, the following players earned enough votes for single digits but
are not changing jersey numbers:
Bryce Grays (26)
Darrell Jones (74)
Luke Lapeze (76)
Tai Leonard (99)
Deandre Marshall (70)
A'Marion Peterson (28)
Ben Rios (57)
So, sitting 5-1 at the halfway point of the 2026 regular season, Traylor and the Roadrunners held a vote over the weekend to fill out the rest of the spots, adding 17 new names to the list of honorees.
"It's the best way to do what we're doing, because we've got a lot of tradition," Traylor said. "I was trying to bring that back, because there was a time when they were in that number, and it really meant something. As the years have gone on, you can look out there and go, ‘Are we sure about that?'"
UTSA FILM STUDY: How Roadrunners' 'bigs' package powers short-yardage success
While the selections for this year's 210 recipients were close to unanimous, Traylor said the votes were spread much wider during the midseason round.
The timing shift also opened the door for a group of single-digit players who had little experience at UTSA before this year, including receiver Mekhi Anderson, linebacker Darion White, defensive tackle Jusiah Sampleton, and corners RJ Lester, Ahamad Chapman and Asaad Chapman.
"It's more of a natural allowing the season to play out, where in the old days when you did it, they hadn't had a chance to go out there and do anything yet," Traylor said. "So those guys have gone out there and showed how really good they are."
Five key players to watch as the Roadrunners suit up in their new numbers for the first time against Navy at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Alamodome:
RJ Lester, corner
UTSA Roadrunners' RJ Lester Jr. and South Florida's Mudia Reuben reach for the ball in a game against South Florida at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News)Returning to action this year after sitting out last season following surgery to repair a birth defect in his heart, Lester has started half of UTSA's games, notching 14 tackles with one pass broken up.
Transferring into UTSA after playing at Oklahoma State in 2023 and 2024, Lester became one of Traylor's go-to picks to answer questions during team meetings, often speaking on different aspects of the program's culture.
Traylor said the "future's going to be big time" for Lester, and Lester said he was proud to take on the number that former UTSA cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Zah Frazier wore before being drafted to the NFL.
"It's an honor, man," Lester said. "We had a lot of good players and guys before me that wore No. 3 and other guys getting to wear a single digit. I understand the importance of it, and that it's something that's earned, not necessarily just given."
A'Marion Peterson, running back
UTSA Roadrunners running back A'Marion Peterson runs the ball while South Florida's Amarion Fortenberry defends in a game against South Florida at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News)Though he chose to stay in No. 28 rather than switch jerseys, Peterson earned enough votes for single-digit recognition, as did fellow running backs Will Henderson (1) and Brandon High (7).
Peterson is coming off his most productive game with 12 carries for 92 yards and three touchdowns against South Florida, but he's regarded just as highly for his role on special teams, playing with the Roadrunners' kick return and punt return units.
"He is a total team player. He's not about himself at all," Traylor said. "He's just got it in his DNA, man. He's a joy to coach."
Mekhi Anderson, wide receiver
UTSA Roadrunners wide receiver Mekhi Anderson (14) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Colorado State Rams in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, Sept., 26, 2026. (Zach Del Bello/San Antonio Express-News)Anderson emerged as a key piece of UTSA's offense this season, tallying 23 catches for 234 yards and two scores while adding 53 yards on a pair of rushing attempts. But perhaps his most animated moment followed a block, as the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Anderson shoved a South Florida player to the turf to help spring Henderson's 26-yard run on UTSA's game-winning drive.
Traylor said Anderson arrived at UTSA in 2024 with track speed, a "scrawny" build and questionable hands. Now, Traylor describes Anderson as "strong, tough and dependable."
"Just a tough, humble, great football player that's been very, very injury prone in his career, because he plays so reckless," Traylor said. "But I wasn't giving up on him. ... I'm going to keep him here as long as I can keep him."
Davion Hurth, offensive line
UTSA Roadrunners offensive lineman Deandre Marshall (70) lines up for a play during the third quarter against the Colorado State Rams in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, Sept., 26, 2026. (Zach Del Bello/San Antonio Express-News)Though not among the four offensive linemen selected for single digits, Hurth continues to play a critical role as starting guard and single-digit earner Ben Rios has missed UTSA's past two games due to injury.
Despite being undersized at a listed weight of 275 pounds, Hurth has held his own while Rios' status remains unclear.
"We really just don't know yet," Traylor said. "Davion's playing well. Ben's not 100% yet. So, we'll see."
Ahamad and Asaad Chapman, cornerback
UTSA Roadrunners cornerback Asaad Chapman (17) reacts after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Colorado State Rams in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, Sept., 26, 2026. (Zach Del Bello/San Antonio Express-News)Though Asaad is a newcomer this year and Ahamad played just five games to preserve a redshirt last season, the twins showed enough early impact to earn single digits.
Lester described the duo as "elite athletes" with strong press coverage skills who feed off each other's energy.
"They always hold each other accountable," Lester said. "If one does something that isn't up to the other one's standard, they're always the first one to tell them. ... They're also very encouraging of each other. I think it just makes them better every day."
Subscribe
There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at UTSA vs. Navy: 5 key players to watch as Roadrunners set new single digits .