18 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024
quarterbacks and we are going to figure this thing out . I don ’ t want to play two quarterbacks , it has never been my thing , but if we have to we will . We think we have three guys that can compete and win us ball games . Hunter brings a unique physical presence that we think a lot of people missed on .”
Watson is also roommates with wide receiver Noah Smith , a sixth-year senior looking to make noise in his final season .
“ Hunter is my roommate and I feel like our connection happened pretty fast ,” Smith said . “ We go get extra work . I ’ m trying to get the playbook to both of them and keep that connection .”
Last year Sam Houston created a load of depth in the running back room and the receiver room due to injuries . The Bearkats will get Ife Adeyi and Qua ’ Vez Humphreys back to help whoever is behind the center .
The same goes for the running back room with Zach Hrbacek and John Gentry , as both are nearing full health .
Hrbacek and Gentry are both expected to lead a running back room that can go four to five deep .
“ I can feel the difference in the room . We are hungry and everybody wants to play . Everybody has the drive to hit the field ,” Gentry said .
On the defensive side of the ball , Sam Houston brings back a bunch of playmakers who will be under the direction of new defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity .
Cassity has spent the previous two years at Abilene Christian University and now takes over as one of the youngest coordinators in FBS football .
But , while under the new direction , Sam Houston has several guys to lean on . One is Gaither . Gaither returns as a preseason first-team All-CUSA by two places and was the WAC 2022 Defensive Player of the Year when he filled in for Trevor Williams .
Gaither will have help in the middle with Sincere Jackson as the other backer . The perimeter will be guarded with David Fisher and Da ’ Veawn Armstead as both saw meaningful reps at the position last year .
“ It ’ s been a great challenge and I think it ’ s just a change of scenery . At the end of the day , defense is defense and we have to go out there and execute no matter who coach brings in ,” Gaither said . “ It is up to us to be the best defense out there .”
Sam Houston will open its season with Rice University on August 31 the Bearkats ’ first home game will come on Sept . 14 against Hawaii .
- Story by Colton Foster
18 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024