SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head coach Matt Wernecke on Wednesday announced that he has signed Tyler Blackwell and Brock Blais to National Letters of Intent. The pair will join the Roadrunners starting with the 2023-24 season.
Blackwell is a native of Austin who played for Vandegrift High School, where he was coached as a freshman by Wernecke, for his first three years before moving to Hill Country Christian School of Austin for his senior season. A two-time all-district selection, he helped lead the Vipers to back-to-back Class 6A state tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022. He tied for sixth place with a 72-75—147 at the 2021 regional tournament to earn second-team all-region honors and help Vandegrift win the team title. He went on to finish in the top 25 at state with a 74-73—147, helping the Vipers finish third. As a junior, he helped his team to a seventh-place showing at the state tournament.
"We look forward to getting Tyler on campus next fall," said Wernecke. "He's an athletic player with a lot of speed and talent. We can't wait to see what he brings to the program."
Also a standout on the junior circuit, Blackwell tied for fifth at the 2021 LJT Collegiate Preview after firing a 71-68-73—212. He carded a 74-75—149 to grab a share of ninth place at the 2022 LJT Texas Cup and he posted a 71-74-77—222 to place ninth at the Texas Junior Amateur. He was part of the runner-up best ball duo that shot a 13-under par at the 2021 Greenwood Cup. He owns a career low score of 67.
A native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Blais has been a star in the prep and junior golf ranks in the Sunshine State. A four-time state tournament qualifier, he has helped lead Ponte Vedra Beach High School to three consecutive state titles with their sights set on another crown this month. As a senior, he won the Region 1-2A individual championship with a 69 to help the Sharks claim the team title and advance to state. He won three tournaments as a junior and finished as runner-up at the regional meet.
"We are excited to add Brock to the UTSA program," Wernecke said. "He has competed against the best juniors in the country and proven his game stacks up. We look forward to getting in him navy and orange next fall."
A nine-time medalist in junior golf, Blais ranks No. 50 in his class, fourth in the state of Florida and 71st in the country. He tied for fifth after carding a 75-72-71— 218 at the AJGA Spot X Hotel Junior Championship. He carded a 73-66-77—216 to grab a share of 11th at the 28th annual Bobby Chapman.
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