Following a season that saw 25 seniors alongside 16 fifth-years, including big names like All-American linebacker Caleb Harmel and passing record holder Tucker horn, this season will feature many new faces on the starting roster of the Trinity Tigers. This year’s Tiger squad will see an almost entirely brand-new defense and new starters at Quarterback and Wide Receiver. Despite the losses, there is hope from Jerheme Urban, who is entering his 11th season as the Tigers’ head coach, that Trinity will remain a substantial threat in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) and NCAA Division III.
“We’ve got a good blend of returning faces as well as a lot of new faces,” Urban said. “We’ve got some guys who’ve come back, and they’re going to build on some strong on-the-field performances from previous years.”
The biggest new face on offense is senior quarterback Ryan Back, who will be starting for the first time in his college career. Last season’s team won by an average score of 43-17, meaning Back saw nine games last season — mainly in the second half of blowout games. Back accumulated 486 yards and seven touchdowns in his limited work last year, which was an opportunity to gain much-needed experience in preparation for his expected role in 2024.
“Those opportunities really helped me get the feel of the game,” Back said. “They helped me get comfortable out there so that now I can help lead these guys and help this team continue to do what we do.”
Back follows five-year player Tucker Horn, who graduated as one of the best quarterbacks in Trinity history. Horn led Trinity to three consecutive SAA titles and playoff appearances. If there was any pressure on the shoulders of his replacement, Back didn’t acknowledge it.
“Trinity is a great program,” Back said. “Tucker was phenomenal. But you know, Coach Urban and these coaches have really instilled a lot of belief in me. The guys around me are so good, and the linemen, the running backs and receivers. … [It’s] gonna be hard for me to mess up with those guys around me.”
The offensive side of the ball sees the least turnover, with all five starters from last year’s offensive line returning to their roles. Additionally, two running backs — Legend Grigsby and Winston Hutchison — return to the backfield, partnering tight end Alex Thiel.
“They’re some of my best friends,” Back said about the offensive line. “They’re really good at what they do. They’re probably the best in the country in a lot of ways. Having them is a good anchor point for the offense and the team as a whole to just really springboard off of and be successful.”
On the other side of the ball, only one player returns to the team after starting for the majority of the games: linebacker James Ogunrin. As the only player with significant starting experience, most defensive knowledge will revolve around the fifth-year.
“It’s very interesting seeing the guys that we’ve added to our defense, but it’s also very enjoyable,” Ogunrin said. “I get to lead guys I’ve never really played with, but I also get to go to war with them.”
Ogunrin was the third linebacker in last year’s 4-3 defensive scheme, partnering Caleb Harmel and Mac Douglas. While Harmel and Douglas took the majority of attention as defensive leaders, Ogunrin was also a significant force, using the experience as a learning opportunity.
“I was able to learn from a lot of great seniors and juniors that have come through Trinity, coming through this program,” Ogunrin said. “I’m able to take a bit of you know, little things from them to be able to succeed in that leadership role on wherever that may be.”
One of the biggest strengths of Trinity’s defense this year was one of their biggest weaknesses last season. Injuries ran rampant up and down the defense, particularly in the secondary. While the majority of day-one starters in 2023 will not be returning for 2024, depth players from last season, such as Johnny Nwobodo (DL), Cade Rabson (LB) and Raider Horn (DB) — among others — all got significant playing time both in starting and backup roles, which will help them develop as starters this season.
The team looked strong in an early-season scrimmage against Blinn College, a junior college in Brenham, Texas, connected to the Texas A&M system. The team hosts their first game of the season tomorrow, taking on Texas Lutheran University at 6 p.m. here at Trinity University.
We’re so back.
