Bobcats land three-star kicker in Alan Orona

Texas State added another leg to its special teams on Thursday.

Three-star kicker and La Grange graduate Alan Orona announced he plans to join the Bobcats this fall in an interview with KTIMFM, flipping his commitment from Texas Tech. Orona explained his decision had to do with the Red Raiders firing former head coach Kliff Kingsbury and hiring Matt Wells in his place, as well as wanting to be closer to his family.

“It’s been hectic for me because recent coaching changes has (sic) been happening. So after, I got the better opportunity at Texas State, so I went ahead and took that,” Orona said. “It’s great, my family really loves (San Marcos). They’ve been enjoying it lately, telling other families, ‘He’s going to be so close, we’re going to watch his games.’ It’s a big thing for me as well.”

Orona is the 17th recruit and second kicker to join Texas State head coach Jake Spavital’s inaugural class. It was reported last month that former Texas kicker Joshua Rowland is also teaming up with the Bobcats and will be immediately eligible to play in 2019 as a graduate transfer. Orona and Rowland will likely compete for the maroon and gold’s starting spot, with sophomore Foster Hilborn being the only other kicker listed on the roster.

Orona said he’s met with both Spavital and special teams coordinator Nick Whitworth and will move to campus on July 30, with Texas State’s fall camp opening the next day. The Bobcats will begin the season on August 29 at 7:30 p.m. in College Station, taking on Texas A&M.