Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson looks to pass against Rice during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson looks to pass against Rice during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

FORT WORTH — The NCAA transfer portal window opened Friday, and according to ESPN’s Matt Olsen, more than 4,500 players entered it.

On the same day, Texas State football throttled Rice 41-10 to win the Armed Forces Bowl, led by their offensive triple threat of quarterback Brad Jackson and wide receivers Chris Dawn Jr. and Beau Sparks. Jackson finished with 225 total yards of offense and four touchdowns, while Sparks and Dawn combined for 162 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

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All three have announced their intentions to remain with the Bobcats as they head into the Pac-12 — a rarity in this era of the sport, Texas State head coach GJ Kinne said. 

Texas State head coach Gj Kinne hoists the trophy following the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas State Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Texas State head coach Gj Kinne hoists the trophy following the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas State Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

“You get a quarterback, you got a chance, you got those two receivers, you got a chance,” Kinne said.

Kinne said the Bobcats won’t be able to keep everyone, no matter how much they might want to. They’ve already lost starting center Brock Riker, who didn’t play Friday and announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on social media during the game. Longtime left tackle Dorion Strawn and running back Lincoln Pare have exhausted their eligibility. However, the return of the Bobcats’ top quarterback and wide receivers provides a foundation for Kinne to build upon for the 2026 season.

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Texas State (7-6) recorded 436 yards of total offense, actually lower than their season average of 475.8 points per game. But the difference against Rice, and what led to the Bobcats’ strong finish to the year, was an opportunistic defense that held the Owls to 196 total yards and captured three takeaways.

“If we could’ve done that in the middle of the season, could’ve, would’ve, should’ve,” Kinne said. 

Texas State players gather with the trophy for photographers after defeating Rice during the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Texas State players gather with the trophy for photographers after defeating Rice during the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The offense, which set multiple season records against Rice, was never the issue for Texas State in 2025. It was a defense that allowed 30.6 points per game in the regular season, rising to 42.6 during the five-game losing streak. The results didn’t match Kinne’s standards, leading to the departure of defensive coordinator Dexter McCoil and the hiring of former South Alabama defensive coordinator Will Windham. 

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The Bobcats don’t always need to hold their opponents under 200 yards and force three turnovers. The explosiveness of their weapons keeps them competitive, no matter what’s happening on the other side of the ball. But against Rice and its past three opponents, Texas State showed what it can accomplish with a competent defense. 

The Owls were just 3-for-17 on third down and averaged 2.3 yards per carry. 

Texas State had expected to compete for a Sun Belt championship headed into the 2025 season. Things didn’t go as planned, and the Bobcats had to scratch and claw simply to make it to the bowl game. 

But the main reason they were projected as a top-two team in their division in the conference’s preseason poll is because of what Kinne had accomplished coming into 2025. Texas State has transformed from a basement dweller in the Sun Belt into a program that expects to win rather than hoping for it. 

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“To be able to be at Texas State and help change the culture at Texas State, and now we have three back-to-back bowl wins … It just means everything,” Texas State running back Lincoln Pare said. 

The Pac-12 awaits. With strong returning players, a historic recruiting class and the potential of defensive additions, Texas State’s star is poised to rise even higher in 2026. Even if that potential Sun Belt title in the program’s final season in conference never materialized, the future remains as bright as ever.

“So much firepower coming back on offense … sky’s the limit,” head coach GJ Kinne said. “Next year, we have the chance to be really special.”

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Texas State wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. (1) catches a touchdown pass in front of Rice safety Peyton Stevenson (9) during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Texas State wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. (1) catches a touchdown pass in front of Rice safety Peyton Stevenson (9) during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Julio Cortez/Associated Press