El Paso Parkland LB Josh Wells Ready For His Moment With UTEP

 
After leading the state of Texas for most of the year in sacks, El Paso Parkland DE/OLB Josh Wells is staying home to play college football. Wells signed to play with the UTEP Miners on Wednesday, capping off a special year for the graduating senior.

“It’s a special day,” Wells said, “It was a day that I wasn’t sure if it was going to come but it finally came. I’m glad I get to play for my hometown team and play for the team I grew up watching.”

Wells said that staying home was a big factor in his decision and the fact that his friends and family will have the opportunity to see him play.

It was a breakout year for Wells who ended his senior season among the team leaders in tackles (132) and was near the top of the state in sacks (25). His presence on defense helped the Matadors make the postseason for the first time since 2013 and just the second time since 2010. Wells said he projects as an outside linebacker with the Miners.

Parkland head coach Josh Kirkland only coached Wells this past season, but he said Wells is a guy that is “impossible to replace” because of his leadership.

“Josh was a leader the day I got here in January,” Kirkland said, “I knew he wanted to play college football and he didn’t know if he was going to be able to. We just told him to trust the process. From leading the state in sacks to his leadership on this team, we’re really going to miss him.”

As his days in high school wind down, Wells said that this past year was incredibly special for him. And as he prepares to start at UTEP later this year, he wants to keep as many relationships in tact as he gets set to play at the next level.

“Going to the playoffs this year with this team is definitely my best memory from high school,” Wells said, “I felt like I got closer with a lot of teammates and I built a lot of relationships that I hope to keep no matter where life takes me.”

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