The Wildcat went 11-1-1 his senior year in 1997, under second year head coach Tim Stout, sweeping district play and even beating their old nemesis, the Forney Jackrabbits.
Bautovich was a natural for the district Offensive MVP that year but it could have been just as well on defense. But this team, as indicated by its record, was loaded with talent. His team mates included (list compiled from mentions in the Kennedale News that season) Cedric James, Derrick Williams, Dustin Duncan, Daniel Hommel, Keldrick Palmer, Alfredo Parra, Dawan Logan, David Zeroogian, Andy Scott, Bruce Young, Chase Raines, Rawdy Hull, Donald Roundtree, Steve Martinez, Donte Jones, Jason Greenfield and Tim Wakeland.first step – Kingsville …
Bautovich played for Texas A&M at Kingsville as a backup quarterback for one impressive year in 1998
At season end, Bautovich was big enough and athletic enough to get serious interest from all but D1 schools. Wes had hoped for Texas but ended up signing with Divison II Texas A&M ? Kingsville (Texas A&I).
He was red-shirted his first year, but, made a big splash the following year, playing as a freshman in a back-up role at quarterback. He passed for 754 yards and 8 touchdowns, while rushing for 366 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also played a key role in Kingsville’s upset win in the playoffs that led to the NCAA D-II semifinals.Kingsville’s roster was obviously loaded, but, Bautovich proved he could play with the best in his first season of college ball. Kingsville finished that year one game from the national championships with a record of 11-3.
Troubled by rumors that Kingsville was about to be given severe penalties for NCAA academic violations combined with a desire to play more, Bautovich took a tour of the state, trying to find a better situation. Bautovich was not alone, Kingsville ended up losing 17 starters off that 11-3 team due to transfers and ineligibility and did face sanctions from the NCAA.
Wes criss crossed the state with his stepfather and his game film in hand, visiting almost all of the DII programs in the process. Then, on a ?wing and a prayer? and a good word from a staunch Aggie backer from back home, Wes stopped by College Station and walked into Kyle Stadium at Texas A&M.
you never know until you try ?
It turned out, the Aggies were interested. They actually said that it was possible that Bautovich could play for them. This was a huge gamble for Bautovich. Wes would be trading a scholarship and a guaranteed position with plenty of playing time for nothing but a statement that the Aggies felt he ?could play for them.?
Wes Bautovich became a walk-on for the Aggies in 2000
Bautovich would have to sit out a year because of NCAA rules on transfers and then he had no guarantees, no promises for playing time or scholarship. For Wes, who was known as a big play maker and a gambler on the field, it was all or nothing.
He was going to be a walk-on player for the Aggies.
That fall he became the quarterback of the scout team, but could he hope for better? Some say that timing is everything. In this case, it turned out, the Aggies were deep on quarterbacks but short on defensive backs.During spring training that first year, the coaching staff approached Bautovich about switching to defense and Wes, seeing an opportunity to play, jumped.
it just gets better ?
Earning a position as backup free safety to senior Micheal Jameson, Bautovich had a lot to learn. He was just hoping to see the field that year. But, the switch to the defense side of ball paid off much sooner than expected. Jameson suffered an ankle injury just before the start of the season.
Bautovich was a key part of the Aggie ?Wrecking Crew?
Bautovich, a walk-on, found himself starting for the Aggies in the 2000 season debut game against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
The last time he had played in a game on defense was in 1996 for the Kennedale Wildcats. Some called it a ?Rudy? moment. But, with no offense meant toward the original Rudy, Bautovich had some serious talent. Yet, going from playing Eastern New Mexico State to lining up against the Fighting Irish on their hallow grounds in his very first start as an Aggie, was something Wes never dreamed.
earned respect and a scholarship ?
Jameson did return from his injury to reclaim his starting spot two games into the season but Bautovich played in every game that season making 3 starts and earning a scholarship for his play. He had made the team.
hoping for the pros ?
Then, with his eligibility finished after the 2001 season, Bautovich was hoping to attract some pro interest. That year in the spring of 2002, he went undrafted.
never say quit…
Bautovich was never one to throw in the towel and walk away. He still needed one more year at school to finish his degree so he decided to stay in College Station and workout with some teammates and coaches and try again in the spring to get noticed by the scouts at the college pro days.
Wes Bautovich gets a chance in the pre-season for the New York Jets in 2003
Nothing happened in 2003 or so it seemed to Bautovich. The pros had come and gone and passed him by once again. Unknowingly, he had left an impression. The Jets secondary coach, Bill Bradley, had liked what he saw. Weeks later, the Jets called him with an offer for training camp. There was pay for the camp but no other guarantees.
At 6-2 and 210lbs, he had stayed in shape but he knew that he was a longshot even to make the practice squad. But coming our of camp there was a glimmer of hope when he ran back a 78 yard interception in a Jets? win over the Bengals in a preseason game.
Two days later, the Jets waived him.
The Jets, however, weren?t finished with him just yet. In January 2004, they signed him to a future contract and then sent him to play in the NFL European league for the Rheim Fire in Germany. But, in the end, there just wasn?t room for him on their roster and the Jets released him for the final time.
Bautovich did have one other opportunity to play when he was drafted in 2008 for Team Texas of the All American Football League (AAFL). Shortly, thereafter, the league canceled play and eventually folded without ever playing a game. Now, it was time to say no more.
For Bautovich, he could walk away knowing that he had been signed to play and he had given it his best shot. “If you don?t take a chance,” Wes once told an Aggie sports writer, “you?ll never know.?
Bautovich currently lives in Houston. He is married to a fellow Aggie and has two children.
