Every year there is always one or two players that seem to emerge from some obscure part of the roster to become key pieces for this program. Here are my three candidates to emerge as serious contributors this upcoming season. I will exclude any true freshman that I think might get serious playing time.

Safety - Jr. - Darryl Godfrey

Reports out of camp these first two weeks indicate that Godfrey is set to be a serious contributor for this defense. It was always going to be hard replacing Michael Egwuagu and Jordan Moore, but it sounds like Godfrey will be able to step in immediately as a starter and be a big piece for the secondary. It took Godfrey a couple of years to get to this point, but it is now his time to shine on this defense.

Running back - Jr. - Brett Winnegan

I have been a big fan of Winnegan ever since he signed with UTSA out of Pearland Dawson in Houston. A huge track star out of high school Brett has failed to see any significant playing time in his tenure here in San Antonio. His most memorable moment as a Roadrunner was a kick return that was called back versus Arizona in 2015. He has bulked up to over 200 pounds something that many thought was not possible. Barring any injuries he should see some playing time in a thin and somewhat inexperienced backfield.

Safety - Jr. - C.J. Levine

Levine has probably contributed enough to stay out of a list like this, but he will have a safety spot all to himself for the first time in his career. Levine is a very talented safety with all the tools to be the second best player in this secondary. He will be asked to do a lot for this defense with the departure of Moore and Egwuagu. If UTSA wants to become a dominant defense Levine must step up and fill that void left behind by the two seniors.