In-depth 2007 UTEP Miners football preview

Rebuilding is a term some coaches are hesitant to use or refer to. In UTEP’s case, it may be a concept that is tough to refrain from using.

UTEP Offense:

The quarterback situation has been the talk of El Paso ever since the season ended and UTEP’s all-time leading passer in Jordan Palmer exhausted his eligibility. The projected starter seems to be a promising redshirt freshman by the name of Trevor Vittatoe. However, Senior Lorne Sam, who will also play at the wide receiver position, is likely to see some snaps as well.

With spectacular talent moving on in the receiver corps, it is needless to say that it is going to be quite a task to find anyone to fill the shoes of Johnny Lee Higgins, who holds the UTEP record for career receiving yards, and Daniel Robinson. With promising new talent coming into the wide receiver position with names such as the popular Fred Rouse, who is a transfer from Florida State University, Kris Adams, Jeff Moturi, Tufick Shadrawy, and the lone senior at the receiver spot Joe West, the Miners should be able to minimize some of their losses. It seems that depth and talent at the wide receiver position will not be an issue for the UTEP offense, but without Jordan Palmer, UTEP will more than likely not be ranked fifth nationally in passing yardage.

The position that the Miners’ offense is going to hinge on this coming season is the running backs. This position has major competition this season with three main candidates: senior Marcus Thomas, Junior transfer from the University of Oregon Terrell Jackson, and speedy Sophomore Donald Buckram. The three running backs have power, speed, and athleticism, but who will start for the Miners come the season opener against the Lobos on September 1st?

Last year, the UTEP offensive line was not particularly strong with it’s run blocking or pass protection. If spring ball is any indication, they should not experience the same concerns this season. With the offensive line finally healed and two main linemen healthy again, Cameron Rashke and Tyler Ribitzki, the offense should be more consistent in moving the ball on the ground this season if one or some of the three candidates at running back emerges to carry the load.

UTEP Defense:

Defense was a major issue last year, as the Miners ranked 104 th in total defense during the 2006 season over a span of 12 games, giving up a petrifying 395 yards per contest. With only a couple of starters returning on defense, it may be a blessing in disguise. Two main returning starters are Quentin Demps, who had seven interceptions last year, which was tied for 5 th nationally, and Jeremy Jones, who sustained a broken leg during practice before the UNM game in the 2006 season. With Troy Callavo gone, there are some major questions to be answered at middle linebacker. The starting job is supposed to go to Arizona State transfer Adam Vincent, whom the coaches are very excited to have and should help stop opposing teams running the ball against the Miner defense.

UTEP’s safeties could quite possibly be the best in Conference USA, with Quentin Demps and hard hitting/sure tackling Braxton Amy. As long as these two studs in the secondary stay healthy, it may be extremely difficult for opposing offenses to throw the deep ball with any kind of success. The cornerbacks should also better this season, as Josh Ferguson should lead the way.

The linebacking corps for the Miners should be exceptional this year. With the return of Jeremy Jones, who was Conference-USA’s leading tackler in the 2005 season, Adam Vincent, and talented transfer, Torrey Huckaby. The linebackers may be the heart of the defense this coming season with their talent and experience.

The defensive line is the biggest concern for the defense, but a couple of weeks ago it received a major boost, with the position change of one of UTEP’s most decorated recruits Brandis Dew was moved from quarterback to defensive end. Dew is six feet five inches, weighs in at 275 pounds and should be a major asset to the defensive line. Transfers were brought in to beef up the line with names such as Charles Ofili, Jason Boyce, and Jacob Garrett. Those names don’t include future studs in James Olalekan and Steve Riddick. With all the new names brought in, only time will tell how the defense will fare this season.

UTEP Special Teams

Junior College transfer Jose Martinez will likely handle the placekicking duties after missing spring ball due to ACL surgery. Redshirt freshman Kyle Petersen is slated as the starting punter.

Buckram, Demps and Ferguson could handle the punt return duties while Rouse, Demps or Ferguson will likely bring back the kickoffs. Demps and Ferguson handled them last season. Demps averaged 23.9 yards per return and took one back for a score.

2007 UTEP Schedule

UTEP opens the 2007 campaign with four consecutive non-league games before closing its slate with eight straight CUSA contests. The Miners have the opportunity to avenge last year’s season opening loss to New Mexico when the Lobos visit El Paso in week one. Next, Price’s squad travels to Texas Tech and New Mexico State before returning home to face Texas Southern. The league schedule sets up nicely, as the Miners will host contenders Tulsa, Houston, East Carolina and Southern Miss.

2007 UTEP Miners Outlook

After struggling to an extremely disappointing 5-7 mark last season despite having a senior laden team, Mike Price and his Miners hope to get back on track this season after going to bowls the previous two seasons. For that to happen, UTEP will need for someone to step up to replace Jordan Palmer’s production at quarterback while the Miners will also need to run the ball and play much better defense than they did in ’06.