Former Bulldawg signs with San Antonio Caballeros
Special to the Leader Press
The San Antonio Caballeros, members of the International Football Alliance (IFA), are gearing up for their Inaugural 2025 season.
Nearly three dozen players from across the nation and all college football divisions converged on Bulldog Stadium at Somerset High School in San Antonio on Saturday morning for the final tryout of the offseason.
Coaches from the San Antonio Caballeros football team evaluated talent, adding four to the roster from the workout.
Joining the San Antonio based football team is former Copperas Cove Bulldawg Kylan Herrera.
“It felt good to show up and compete and be able to showcase my talent next to other guys that want to be professionals. I think it gave me an insight and confidence on what type of athletes I am and that I can compete at the pro level,” said Herrera. “It’s great to see familiar faces, I’m excited to play for my old high school coaches again. Knowing the program that they ran at Copperas Cove gives me a confidence that we will be a successful program. Having the creator of the air raid offense as a Head Coach is a dream for a wide out like myself. Being that I’m a deep ball Receiver, I know I can learn a lot from Coach Mumme, so I’ll definitely be a sponge while I attend camp trying to soak up all the knowledge I can.”
Herrera, an alum of the CCHS class of 2017, signed to play running back.
Likewise, Jaylane Ali was selected for the wide receiver position, Sam Hayward as kicker and Robert Martin signed for his punting abilities.
Heading into the draft, the team will be looking to improve the depth on both sides of the line, looking to add defensive linemen from their eight selections while in Alabama.
“I thought there was good talent, and good effort. Everybody worked hard, and you could tell they wanted to be a part of the program,” said Stan Bedwell, Director of player, personnel and offensive coordinator for the Caballeros.
“There are just so many different leagues right now between indoor and different things like that. You never know when a guy is going to decide to go to a differently league. We have several guys that played NFL signed so you never know if they might be picked up as well. I’d say the greatest need right now and it’s the same for all our colleagues or anywhere else is lineman. We’ve got really great defensive lineman, but we need more.”
Under the watchful eye of Caballeros president and owner Hal Mumme, the Godfather to the air raid offense, nearly two dozen receivers competed for an invite back to training camp for the Caballeros football team that will begin their season June 7.
“We were really pleased with the tryout camp held today,” said Mumme. “There were two players that were added to our camp roster from the tryouts and several others put on our reserve team,” Mumme said. “
The Caballeros are one of five teams in the international football alliance with teams from Dallas, Tampa, Alabama and Ohio valley expanding to a 6-team league in 2026 by adding Little Rock Storm. Players in a league or a mixture of college draft, eligible veterans and players who may have been overlooked and need the chance to prove they belong on the football field.
The team, coaches, and staff are rooted in San Antonio, dedicated to serving and engaging with the local community. With four home games scheduled starting May 31st and running through July, fans can expect exciting, family -friendly NFL Rules Football at very affordable ticket prices.
The IFA is bridging the gap in international professional football by delivering the highest level of American Football within the strategic locations of Mexico and the United States. The IFA implements NFL-based standard rules of play.
“Our players are going to work, eat, and play here in San Antonio,” Caballeros General manager, Jack Welch said. “We are very much a part of this community and will be seen giving back to the area with community service.”
The Caballeros and staff head into preseason with a roster of 50 athletes and will trim it to 40 by the first game with the Texas Pioneros on June 7 with a kickoff set for the campus of University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio at 7:30 p.m.
“The team looks like it has the potential to be very strong in our inaugural year of playing in the IFA,” Welch added. “Our preseason camp starts May 15, and we look to finalize the roster at that time.”