San Benito’s Kian Jones and Sharyland Pioneer’s William Goodloe Are Taking Their Shot at UTRGV

Two Valley standouts are joining UTRGV as walk-ons. Nothing is guaranteed but both now get the chance to see what they can do at the Division I level without leaving home.

Kian Jones and William Goodloe are getting a shot at Division I football right here in the Valley.

Neither is arriving at UTRGV on scholarship. They’re coming in as walk-ons, which means the next part is entirely up to them.

Jones comes from San Benito, where he did a little bit of everything.

As a senior, he earned first-team All-District 32-6A honors at wide receiver, cornerback and returner. He also brings legitimate track speed after running 10.86 in the 100 meters and 21.70 in the 200.

That gives UTRGV an athlete to work with.

Goodloe’s path looks different.

At Sharyland Pioneer, he played quarterback and receiver and earned academic all-state recognition in both football and basketball. He also earned offensive MVP honors as a junior.

Back in May, Goodloe signed with Texas Lutheran and talked about how much finally getting an opportunity to play college football meant to him.

Now he has changed course and is taking his shot at UTRGV.

That’s what makes these two additions worth watching.

They’re not being handed anything.

They’ll have to earn reps, compete against Division I players every day and prove they can help this team.

UTRGV already has examples showing that a walk-on opportunity can become something more.

Frank Medina is probably the easiest one for Jones to look at.

Medina came out of San Benito too. He made UTRGV through an open tryout in 2024. A year later, he had worked his way into the starting offensive line and earned a scholarship.

Jordan Ford gives them another example after going from walk-on to contributor and then earning a scholarship during fall camp.

That doesn’t mean Jones or Goodloe are next.

It just shows the opportunity is real.

Before UTRGV football existed, Valley players looking for a chance to prove themselves at the Division I level had to leave the 956 to find it.

Jones and Goodloe don’t.

They can stay home, get into a Division I program and see where the work takes them.

For Jones, that means bringing the speed and versatility he showed at San Benito and seeing where UTRGV can use it.

For Goodloe, it means changing course after initially signing with Texas Lutheran and taking a less certain path closer to home.

Two different players.

Two different routes.

Same opportunity.

DITV Final Word

Kian Jones and William Goodloe aren’t being promised anything at UTRGV.

That’s what makes their stories worth following.

They’re two Valley football players getting the chance to prove they belong at the Division I level right here at home.

Frank Medina already showed where that chance can lead.

Now Jones and Goodloe get to find out for themselves.

Sources: San Benito News, Athletic.net, KRGV Sports, UTRGV Athletics and DITV reporting confirming Jones and Goodloe are joining UTRGV as walk-ons.