Texas Football - Winter 2010

The Class-makers> Among the top players the Miners signed are Conroe DE Kyle Brown, Humble WR Darius Tubbs and North Garland WR Anthony McGhee. Brown received interest from Texas and Kansas State before committing to UTEP. At 6-3 and 256 pounds, he has good size for a high school senior. QB Javia Hall of Dallas Skyline had committed to UNTbut switched to UTEPonly two weeks before Signing Day.

Photo by J.D. Bryant

Biggest Holes to Fill> With the loss of 23 seniors, including four DBs, UTEP needs depth at nearly every possession. The Miners really need to focus on the offensive and defensive lines.

Instant-impact Targets> UTEP has its eyes on DT Marcus Bagley (pictured) of Mesquite. At 6-2 and 305 pounds, he already has college size. LB DeAndre Little of Sierra Vista, Ariz., is one of UTEP’s top recruits. He runs the 40 in 4. 5 seconds. On the defensive line, DE Tajh Fite of Dallas Bryan Adams has potential despite weighing 225.

Early Enrollee Possibilities> Travaun Nixon.

Top Sleeper> Mesquite’s Davian Harper ( 6-3,

’09 Class Impact Players

Of the 21 players UTEP introduced last February, wide receiver/returner Marlon McClure of Tenaha, a member of the All-Conference USA freshman team, had the biggest impact. He was recognized for returning kicks for an average of 23. 7 yards. Linebacker Brandon Miller, a transfer from Bakersfield (Calif.) Junior College, ranked 13th on defense with 29 tackles. Defensive back Richard Spencer (Moreno Valley, Calif.) was arguably the team’s top recruit in 2009, and he played in nine games and made 11 tackles.

200) completed 121 of 222 passes for 1,313 yards and five touchdowns. His size and athleticism should be assets at the WR position.

One That Got Away> Several schools showed interest in running back Ja’Terian Douglas — including Texas Tech, Baylor and UTEP — but the senior from Arlington Lamar chose Tulsa.

Summary> Among the 27 recruits who have signed with UTEP, the Miners have found nuggets on both sides of the football. The most pressing problem — stopping opposing running attacks — has been addressed.

Who Will Impact In ’ 10?

Price puts a premium on transfers, and linebacker Justin Hickman of the College of DuPage (Ill.) provided a spark in his first year with 12 tackles in five games, and could play a bigger role in 2010. Quarterback Andy McCloud, from The Woodlands, redshirted in 2009 and will be in the mix for the backup position. Tackle Brander Craighead (Ottawa, Ontario) and defensive back Richard Spencer (Moreno Valley, Calif.) also worked their way onto the two-deep roster and could contribute more as sophomores.

Player Ht Wt 40 Marcus Bagley 6-2 305 N/A Cooper Brock 6-3 220 4. 7 Kyle Brown 6-3 256 5. 1 Devin Danshaw 6-4 310 N/A Tajh Fite 6-3 225 N/A Katrae Ford 6-4 210 N/A Brandon Forge 6-5 240 N/A Javia Hall 6-2 175 4. 65 Davian Harper 6-2 194 4. 5 Adrian James 6-0 170 4. 5 Deron Jefferson 6-6 260 N/A Nate Jeffery 5-11 185 4. 5 Jim Jones 6-0 180 N/A Quinten Jones 6-0 310 N/A Jordan Leslie 6-2 192 N/A DeAndre Little 6-1 231 4. 5 Nick Martin 6-5 300 N/A AnthonyMcGhee 5-10 185 N/A Chad Moncure 6-0 180 N/A AaronMorris 6-3 185 4. 6 Travaun Nixon 6-0 195 N/A Devin Patterson 5-11 171 4. 5 Michael Pickett 6-1 195 N/A 2010 Signings

The following is a list of players who signed letters of intent with UTEP, as of Feb. 4.

Pos. Previous School DT North Mesquite DE Copperas Cove OL Conroe OT Surprise (Ariz.) Willow Creek DE Dallas Adams TE Spring Westfield DL DeSoto QB Dallas Skyline WR Mesquite DB Dallas Skyline DL Pomona (Calif.) ATH Caddo Mills WR Redlands (Calif.) Aquinas DL Columbus (Ohio) Northland WR Tomball LB Sierra Vista, Ariz. OL Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Los Osos WR North Garland DB Fort Bend Travis WR Wylie DB Ventura CC (Ventura, Calif.) WR North Mesquite DB Cedar Park Vista Ridge

Player Ht Wt 40 CameronRichards-Lee 6-2 190 N/A Traun Roberson 5-11 180 4. 4 Blake Snider 6-6 209 N/A Eric Tomlinson 6-6 225 N/A Malcolm Trail 6-2 175 N/A DariusTubbs 6-4 205 4. 6 DakotaWarren 5-11 185 N/A