SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State Head Football Coach Everett Withers announced Monday morning that sophomore Willie Jones III will open the 2018 season as the starting quarterback for the Bobcats.
 
A sophomore from Silsbee, Texas, Jones will make his first collegiate start after playing in 10 games as a backup to graduate transfer Damian Williams in 2017. He completed 18 of 37 passes for 281 yards and rushed for 43 yards in 2017. His best game came at Louisiana when Jones completed 12 of 18 passes for 197 yards, and rushed for 58 yards on 14 carries against the Ragin' Cajuns. He also ran for 57 yards on five carries at Wyoming and had a season-long 34-yard run against the Cowboys. 
 
Withers also announced that redshirt freshman Jaylen Gipson and freshman Tyler Vitt will continue competing for the backup position behind Jones.
 
Gipson was a three-time All-District 9-4A selection at Mexia High School. He threw for 1,025 yards and eight touchdowns, and rushed for 1,011 yards and nine TDs as a senior before sitting out last season as a redshirt at Texas State.
 
Vitt was a three-year starting quarterback and two-time all-area and all-district quarterback at MacArthur High School in San Antonio. He was chosen the District 26-6A MVP after throwing for 2,501 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushing for 1,030 yards and eight TDs as a senior.
 
Texas State opens its 2018 season at Rutgers on Sept. 1. The Bobcats return to Bobcat Stadium for their home opener against Texas Southern on Sept. 8.
 
Texas State opens its Sun Belt Conference schedule at South Alabama on Sept. 15. The Bobcats travel to UTSA on Sept. 22 and return home to host Louisiana on Oct. 6 and Georgia Southern on Oct. 11.
 
Texas State travels to ULM on Oct. 20 and plays New Mexico State in its annual Homecoming game on Oct. 27. The Bobcats play at Georgia State on Nov. 3, host Appalachian State on Nov. 10, play at Troy on Nov. 17 and end the regular season against Arkansas State on Nov. 24.
 
Season tickets for all six home games are on sale for as low as $80 through the Athletic Ticket Office. Bobcat fans can also purchase half-season and single-game tickets in person at the North End Zone Complex of Bobcat Stadium, by calling 512-245-2272, or online at www.txstatebobcats.com and logging into the Online Ticket Center. Half season tickets and single game tickets are also available for purchase.