Arriving at UTSA last May as a transfer from Oklahoma State, corner RJ Lester figured he was in for a routine checkup before a doctor noticed an irregularity with his heartbeat.
A multisport athlete for most of his life, Lester said he had no idea he had a congenital heart defect - a small hole that required a catheter-based repair before he could begin his tenure with the Roadrunners.
The news caught Lester off guard and left UTSA without one of its projected starters at cornerback. But after undergoing the procedure and focusing on recovery through the fall, Lester jumped back into the Roadrunners' bowl practices late last year, starting down the path to finally claiming that starting role as a redshirt sophomore in 2026.
Returning with a new appreciation for the sport that was nearly taken away from him, Lester has emerged as one of UTSA's top options at corner, playing more snaps at the position than any other Roadrunner this season.
"It was humbling at first, and then it's just a fun experience. I'm happy to be out there," Lester said. "I can't even find words to describe it, man. Just having fun out there with my guys, being a part of a team again, getting to go to practice every day, getting to enjoy the wins, dance with the guys after the game. It's a time, man."
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Though he said news of his condition initially "broke me down" mentally, Lester never worried whether UTSA coach Jeff Traylor and cornerbacks coach Nick Graham would honor his commitment to the program.
Working with doctors and watching for test results became a challenging waiting game, Lester said. No one ever gave him the impression that he wouldn't someday be able to play again, but that didn't help his patience.
"It was a hit," Lester said. "I had been playing this game for so long and wanted to change my family situation with it, and so it was hard to deal with, at first."
Lester said he was awake for most of the two-hour procedure as doctors used an incision near his hip to snake a tube through a blood vessel, delivering a filler device to address the hole in his heart.
He hadn't noticed any negative health impacts before the issue was identified and said he felt just as fresh coming away from the surgery, but doctors told him he needed to avoid running for at least a week or two.
As UTSA opened camp ahead of the 2025 season, Lester was still on hand for practices and meetings, trying to learn what he could to be more prepared for 2026. He was "itching for anything" on the field and kept his fingers crossed for a return to activity at December's bowl practices, ultimately leading UTSA's scout team ahead of the First Responder Bowl matchup against FIU.
"I always had trusted God to have me and that I'd be able to come back stronger than I was before," Lester said. "The training staff and the coaches always reassured that thought. They never made me think that there would be a time that I wouldn't be able to get back on the field."
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Lester was a full participant in UTSA's spring practice and hasn't endured any setbacks since, stepping in as a Week 1 starter without the need for any additional precautions or monitoring.
The biggest shift has been mental, Lester said. He smiles nearly every time he takes the field, reflecting on his roots as an energetic child who simply loved to play the game.
"Just valuing the time you have out there, because it can go away just like that," Lester said. "Try to play every snap to the best of your ability, one play at a time or one drive at a time, just taking everything in."
Traylor has seen that enthusiasm and appreciation, too, as Lester is often among the first to raise his hand in team meetings to answer questions about the Roadrunners' culture. When UTSA's players and coaches voted last week to select a new group of standouts worthy of single-digit jerseys, Lester earned enough recognition to slot into No. 3 for the rest of the year.
Cornerback Zach Morris said Lester stands out because of his athleticism and playmaking ability, and cornerback Ahamad Chapman called Lester a "dog." At 6-foot-3, Lester gives UTSA another tall cornerback option along with the 6-foot-2 Chapman and his 6-foot-3 twin brother, Asaad Chapman.
"He's like my third twin, to be honest," Ahamad said. "We help each other throughout each practice, and we get each other better. That's brothers."
Lester said he's been pleased with his play so far this season, splitting starting opportunities with UTSA's other three top cornerbacks as Graham alternates week to week.
Coming through a period of feeling "just scared for the human" rather than the athlete, Traylor said he's enjoyed watching Lester get back up to speed.
"He's turned out to be a really good player," Traylor said. "I didn't know at the time if he was going to be any good, but I'm glad that we did the right thing and stayed there with that kid."
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There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at After heart procedure, UTSA corner RJ Lester finds new joy in football.