In a move that’s stirred up the college football world, Texas State offensive lineman Tellek Lockette has decided to leave the team before the season wraps up. The school called it a “mutual decision,” which lets Lockette keep another year of eligibility at a different program.
As the Bobcats chase bowl eligibility, they’ll have to do it without one of their main guys. Lockette’s departure has definitely changed the outlook for both him and the team.
The Decision to Leave Texas State
Tellek Lockette, a fourth-year senior, has chosen to redshirt for the rest of the 2025 season. This move follows a tough run of injuries and a rocky year for both Lockette and the Bobcats.
By redshirting, he gets to keep his eligibility and plans to hit the transfer portal as a grad transfer in 2026. Lockette said, *It was my decision to redshirt. I still love Texas State, and no hard feelings.*
Injuries and Performance in 2025
Injuries really derailed Lockette’s 2025 season. He started the year in the lineup but left the UTSA game in Week 3 with a lower leg injury.
He missed the next several games—Nicholls State, Troy, Marshall, and James Madison. The Bobcats struggled, dropping to a 3-5 record after a blowout loss to JMU on Wednesday.
Two of those losses came in overtime, and another slipped away by a single point after a bizarre finish late in the fourth. Now, the team has to win three out of their last four to make a bowl game.
Career Highlights and Future Prospects
Lockette started his college career at Louisiana-Monroe as a three-star recruit in the Class of 2022. He picked ULM over schools like Coastal Carolina, Marshall, and Kentucky.
He played in 19 games for the Warhawks before entering the transfer portal, which eventually brought him to Texas State.
Impact at Texas State
At 6-foot-3 and 327 pounds, Lockette quickly became a key part of Texas State’s line. He started every game at guard in 2024, including the bowl game, and helped the team post an 8-5 record.
His presence made a clear difference. But 2025 was a different story—injuries took their toll, and the team felt it, both in performance and morale.
Looking Ahead
Lockette’s heading for the transfer portal as a grad transfer in 2026, but what comes next? Will redshirting and leaving Texas State boost his chances somewhere else, or will it complicate things?
It’s hard to blame a player for looking out for himself, especially after injuries. But it does make you wonder about his NIL situation. Will he owe money back to Texas State? What does his contract say about that? Those details will probably stay behind closed doors.
Implications for Texas State
With Lockette gone, Texas State has a big hole to fill. The team still wants to reach a bowl, but losing one of their top linemen makes that road a lot tougher.
The Bobcats have to regroup and figure out how to cover for Lockette’s experience and skill.
Team Dynamics and Morale
Lockette’s mid-season exit could shake up the team’s chemistry. Even though he insists there are no hard feelings, losing a key player so suddenly can throw things off.
The coaches and the rest of the roster will have to keep things together and stay focused if they want to hit their goals.
Future Recruitment and Strategy
This whole situation shows how much college football is changing. Players have more freedom to transfer and redshirt than ever before.
Texas State will have to keep this in mind when they recruit and build the roster. Building a team that can handle sudden changes is going to matter more and more.
Conclusion
Tellek Lockette’s choice to leave Texas State and keep his eligibility for another year at a different school really highlights just how complicated college football can get these days.
His exit brings some tough moments for the Bobcats, but it also gives Lockette a shot to keep chasing his career somewhere new. If you’re curious about what’s next, you can check out the full article at Brobible.
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