We’re still a over a year and a half before UTRGV football plays their first meaningful snap of football, but now that the roster is beginning to fill out, let’s take a closer look at the Vaqueros QB signees.
Sergio “Ale” Aparicio / 5’10” / 165 lbs. / Pharr, TX / PSJA North
2023 Stats
Passing
| GP | C | Att | Yds | C% | Avg | Y/G | C/G | TD | TD/G | Int | Lng | QB Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 59 | 98 | 1048 | 0.602 | 17.8 | 104.8 | 5.9 | 14 | 1.4 | 5 | 60 | 115.1 |
Rushing
| GP | Car | Yds | Avg | Y/G | Lng | 100+ | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 43 | 384 | 8.9 | 38.4 | 89 | 1 | 5 |
Receiving
| GP | Rec | Yds | Avg | Y/G | Lng | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 83 | 20.8 | 8.3 | 55 | 1 |
Notes
The former 4-year PSJA North starter is the only quarterback on the roster from the Rio Grande Valley and signed alongside three other teammates that contributed to the Raiders being one of the top football programs in the Valley over the last few years.
The dual-threat quarterback oversaw the helm of a run-dominant offense and was responsible for 20 total touchdowns last season, where he played in 10 out of the Raiders’ 13 games.
Although Aparicio had a stellar career leading the Raiders to multiple playoff victories, Aparicio’s production was heavily limited as a result of PSJA North’s style of play. Couple that with his size and a less than stellar TD to INT ratio in his final season likely kept Aparicio off of a lot of recruiting boards.
Outlook
Practice squad. Although UTRGV signed the PSJA North four, Coach Bush and UTRGV’s offer was for them to be “preferred walk-ons” for the program. Walk-ons, unlike traditional scholarship players, are typically left off the team’s depth chart and, instead, contribute only as members of the practice squad. Walk-ons usually don’t receive playing time on gameday unless they show exceptional development in practice and during the offseason.
Zion Brown / 6’0″ / 181 lbs. / Atascocita, TX / Atascocita HS
2023 Stats
Passing
| GP | C | Att | Yds | C% | Avg | Y/G | C/G | TD | TD/G | Int | Lng | QB Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 201 | 331 | 3211 | 0.607 | 16.0 | 229.4 | 14.4 | 38 | 2.7 | 10 | 98 | 118.8 |
Rushing
| GP | Car | Yds | Avg | Y/G | Lng | 100+ | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 112 | 559 | 5.0 | 39.9 | 84 | 0 | 11 |
Notes
Brown comes to UTRGV with a sensational resume after capping off an impressive final season at Atascocita. Brown led the Eagles to an 11-3 record which included putting up 368 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns to go along with 88 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against state power Galena Park North Shore in their first of two meetings. Eventual state finalist North Shore would go on to end Atascocita’s season in the 4th round of the 6A Division 1 playoffs where Brown passed for 3 touchdowns.
In total, Brown scored 49 total touchdowns last season, earning him a two-star rating from Rivals.
Following offers from Army, Sam Houston State, Northwestern State, and Texas Southern, Brown ultimately committed to UTRGV last November.
Outlook
Likely starter. The do-everything quarterback might be head and shoulders above everyone else in this class and has certainly proved himself against some of the state’s toughest competition.
Atzel Chavez Jr. / 6’1″ / 170 lbs. / Laredo, TX / Laredo United
2023 Stats
Passing
| GP | C | Att | Yds | C% | Avg | Y/G | C/G | TD | TD/G | Int | Lng | QB Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 269 | 452 | 3670 | 0.595 | 13.6 | 282.3 | 20.7 | 38 | 2.9 | 13 | 86 | 101.5 |
Rushing
| GP | Car | Yds | Avg | Y/G | Lng | 100+ | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 115 | 403 | 3.5 | 31.0 | 28 | 1 | 11 |
Notes
Laredo United is no stranger at producing quarterbacks that throw for incredible numbers. Back in 2006, United’s Alvaro Garcia broke a 20-year old record for passing yards in a single game with 595. The record has since been broken another 13 times (once by Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and another by former Sharyland Pioneer QB Eddie Lee Marburger).
Chavez is no different as he amassed over 3,600 yards and 38 touchdowns through the air while tacking on another 403 yards and 11 scores on the ground. Altogether, Chavez eclipsed over 4,000 yards from scrimmage and accounted for 49 touchdowns last season.
Chavez’ last game, however, might be one he’d like to forget as he went 3 of 9 passing for 32 yards and 2 interceptions for a 5.1 QB rating while rushing for -11 yards on 3 carries as the Longhorns would go down to state power Austin Westlake, 59-14.
Chavez’ offer from UTRGV came after the signal caller had a solid performance at the Elie 11 State College, Pennsylvania Regional.
Outlook
3rd option or practice squad. Although Chavez dominated the likes of Laredo, the RGV, and South Texas, against stronger competition, Chavez couldn’t match that same level of production.
Aidan Jakobsohn / 6’0″ / 150 lbs. / Ingleside, TX / Ingleside HS
2023 Stats
Passing
| GP | C | Att | Yds | C% | Avg | Y/G | C/G | TD | TD/G | Int | Lng | QB Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 204 | 332 | 3590 | 0.614 | 17.6 | 276.2 | 15.7 | 56 | 4.3 | 12 | 72 | 122.9 |
Rushing
| GP | Car | Yds | Avg | Y/G | Lng | 100+ | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 70 | 476 | 6.8 | 36.6 | 26 | 0 | 6 |
Defensive
| GP | Solo Tackles | Asst Tackles | Total Tackles | T/G | TFL | Int |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 21 | 27 | 48 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 6 |
Notes
Jakobsohn has the unique distinction in this group of having scored over 60 touchdowns on offense, split between an eye-popping 56 passing TDs to go with 6 scores on the ground.
The two-way player showed flashes of incredible athleticism during Ingleside’s 3rd round run into the post-season, including an impressive one-handed interception against Orange Grove to add to his team-leading 6 interceptions on the season.
Outside of his video game numbers, the other thing that pops out at you is Jakobsohn’s size, standing at 6′ but listed at only 150 lbs.
Outlook
Backup or position change. Jakobsohn’s slight frame could be a liability in staying healthy at this level, especially with a young program that likely won’t be able to protect the quarterback very well immediately. If he concentrates on building up his frame, he has a very great opportunity to be a solid backup option, but given his knack for snagging the ball and a reliable defender, a position change might not be out of the question.
