Travis Bush Knows Who’s Starting at QB. Will He Say Who? “No.”

Photo Credit: Megan Murray

Travis Bush has made his quarterback decision. He just isn’t telling us who it is.

That was the biggest new nugget to surface this week, and it adds another layer to what UTRGV’s head coach already told fans during the first Channel 5 UTRGV Coaches Show of the 2026 season.

In a separate media availability, CBS 4/NBC 23 Sports Director Megan Murray asked Bush if his mind was made up at quarterback.

His answer: yes.

Would he tell us who it is?

No.

Credit Murray and CBS 4/NBC 23 for getting that one, because it adds an important layer to what Bush told KJ Doyle on the Channel 5 Coaches Show.

Bush said Aidan Jakobsohn and Garret Rangel are both going to play against UT Permian Basin.

“They’re both gonna play.”

So Bush knows who he wants taking the first snap. He just isn’t revealing it yet. The important part for Saturday is that the competition has been a two-man race between Jakobsohn and Rangel, and Bush has now made two things clear: he has made his decision, and he still expects both quarterbacks to play.

That makes the first series one of the easiest things for fans to circle. We know the two names. We know both will get a chance. What Bush is keeping to himself is which one gets the first snap.

The receiver room still needs someone to separate

One of Bush’s most telling comments came when he talked about replacing last year’s offensive production.

“All the offensive production, for the most part, either graduated or left for other schools.”

Then came the line that should have Vaquero fans watching the perimeter Saturday:

“Really just trying to find out who the playmakers are gonna be on the outside receiver-wise.”

That makes sense when you look at what left. Tony Diaz and Xayvion Noland combined for 1,706 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns last season before moving on to Iowa and Oregon State.

UTRGV still has options. Tavian Cord returns after 302 yards and four touchdowns, Kyran Lee brings starting experience, and Cameron Glenn flashed early last season. The Vaqueros also added Alex Green, Jaydon Smith and Clint Thomas Jr.

Credit RGVSports.com for tracking that battle throughout camp and highlighting Cord and Lee as the experienced returners.

Bush also revealed Jaxon Baize has been bumped to receiver and is working on special teams.

The room has names. Now somebody has to separate.

Bush likes the running backs

There was less uncertainty in Bush’s voice when he discussed the backfield.

“Really like our running back group. We got a solid group of backs back.”

Bush specifically mentioned Brennan Carroll as having a strong spring and summer and also pointed to Broderick Taylor and Malachi Lane.

Bush also made it clear that some roster decisions across the team may only get settled once the games begin.

“Some things will work themselves out in those ballgames.”

Saturday is part opener, part evaluation.

And Bush is not treating UTPB like a warm-up

If there was one message Bush wanted fans to hear about the opponent, it was this: forget the Division II label.

“They would win some Southland games.”

Bush pointed to UTPB’s 11-3 season, national quarterfinal run and preseason top-20 ranking. He also brought up one of the more interesting Week 1 problems: UTPB has had UTRGV’s 2025 film all offseason, while the Vaqueros are preparing for a Falcons team with a new coaching staff and roughly 40 summer additions.

That means UTPB has a pretty good idea of what UTRGV looked like last year. UTRGV has to be ready for some unknowns.

Bush has made his QB decision. He likes his backfield. He is still waiting for somebody to take over outside. And if anyone thought Saturday was supposed to be a warm-up, his message about UTPB was pretty clear.

Week 1 is here. Now we get to see what all of it actually looks like.