UTEP Places Emphasis On Defense And Local Talent In 2017 Class

 
When it comes to recruiting at UTEP, the Miners don’t bring in as many of the top names in the class comparative to other Conference USA and smaller schools in Texas. That said, the Class of 2017 is heavy on two things: local talent and guys who flew under the radar in high school.

During the National Signing Day luncheon at UTEP on Wednesday, Kugler emphasized how he doesn’t put as much stock into a star ranking, but rather what they can bring to the field and how hard they’re willing to work, saying, “These are future UTEP Miners and they’re going to be productive on the field, they’re going to be productive in the classroom and they’re going to be productive citizens here in El Paso.”

Signees: 3 early enrollees, 17 total signees

Rankings Grades:
247: 127 Overall, 14th in C-USA
Rivals: 13th C-USA

Top Signees:

RB Josh Fields, (El Paso Americas)

The Miners top-ranked recruit in the class of 2017 was one that wasn’t announced until after 3 p.m. Mountain Time on Wednesday in local prospect Josh Fields. Fields was a dynamic playmaker at El Paso Americas in 2016, finishing with 2,477 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns, which earned him a spot on the 6A all-state first team. The three-star recruit will enter the 2017 season in a crowded running back battle to replace Aaron Jones. Kugler also called Fields “the best player in El Paso” and was excited to have him as part of the program. There is a possibility that Fields could see playing time early as a Miner.

QB Alex Fernandes (Austin Vandegrift)

Kugler said that the Vandergrift signal-caller “reminds me of our own starting quarterback, Ryan Metz.” A three-star prospect at quarterback, Fernandes is a dual threat that has a good arm and a good frame to bulk from 6-3, 200 pounds. With Metz entrentched as the starter, it appears Fernandes will get that time to develop. Kugler said he’s a guy you’ll have to project, but Fernandes is a guy that “can make all the throws.”

S/LB Kalaii Griffin (Ventura CC, CA)

Griffin is one of three junior college signings that are already on campus for the Miners. He’s a safety/linebacker hybrid that can be moved around in UTEP’s 3-4 defense. Per Alex Nicolas of Miner Rush, Griffin is a guy that has a chance to make a big splash right away. As for what Kugler thinks of the safety, he said Griffin had the potential to “be a starter at outside linebacker.”

Best Position:

Linebackers:

This was by far the top position of need for the Miners in this 2017 recruiting class. After switching from a 4-2-5 to a 3-4 defense, the Miners found themselves depleted at that position. In this class, the Miners signed seven linebackers including Griffin, Jamar Smith (Holmes CC), Kobie Herring (Refugio), Brent Ugochukwu (Richmond George Ranch), James Tupou (Allen) and local products Javaughn Thomas (El Paso High) and Josh Wells (El Paso Parkland). They even signed a former linebacker in Forest McKee from right up the road in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The junior college signees will most likely have the best chance to start right away but each one should have their opportunity down the road.

Offensive Line:

The Miners only signed two offensive linemen in the 2017 class but each of them provide needed depth at the position. Cutter Leftwich (El Paso Franklin) is a local product and also the son of UTEP assistant Spencer Leftwich. Named on the All-District 1-6A first team this past season, he may redshirt early on but expect him to contribute on the line. Another Miner legacy, Jalen Spady, is the son of former Miner football player James Spady. Simply put, he is a big addition (6-3, 340 pounds) and the three-year varsity player from Huntsville, Alabama will use to his quick feet and size to push people through the line.

Overall Outlook:

The Miners went heavy on defense and on local talent in the 2017 recruiting class. In the five recruiting classes under Kugler, UTEP has signed 22 local players and a third of the Miners on the current roster call El Paso home. The big question will be if that talent can develop into a winning team over the next couple of years. As for questions about his recruiting, Kugler emphasized that he will continue to recruit homegrown talent and try to put the best team out on the field, saying “We’re ultimately looking for football players who care about getting a degree and that they are on the same mission we are on – win a bowl and a conference championship. We’re not going to stop working at it until we achieve it.”
 

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