For the third time in two weeks, the UTEP Miners have received a commitment from a quarterback prospect. This time, however, the gunslinger is a high school product and not a junior college transfer. Yesterday, Rivals.com's Brian Perroni reported that San Antonio (Central Catholic) quarterback Blaire Sullivan committed to the UTEP Miners.
According to his father, San Antonio Central Catholic QB Blaire Sullivan (6-4/198) committed to #UTEP tonight
Brian Perroni
bperroni
Some El Pasoan's may remember Sullivan as the kid who destroyed El Paso Cathedral in the first round of the TAPP's playoffs last season. Sullivan's Central Catholic demolished the Irish to the tune of 41-6.
Sullivan was 10 of 15 passing for 197 yards and two TDs and added 55 rushing yards. He was also Manningesque in giving all the credit to his offensive linemen, receivers, Saucedo and fullback Connor Sinclair.
According to Rivals.com, Sullivan is a 6'4, 198 lb. prospect with 4.8 speed. Rivals has not given him a "star" rating. Rivals notes that Rice "showed interest" but didn't offer Sullivan a scholarship.
As a senior, Blaire passed for 1,876 yards with an incredible 24 touchdowns against only 3 interceptions. He also rushed for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns. Watching his highlights, embedded above, I can see a tall, athletic kid who throws an accurate ball with promising arm strength. He puts nice touch on his passes.
Scout.com agrees. Here's their take:
Great size for a quarterback, he is on the skinny side though. Takes a bit long on his release, has a cannon for an arm and can hit the deep pass. Good on the intermediate passes also. He can run but he is not at his best running. Underrated because he plays in the private school ranks and plays against weak competition.
It was important that UTEP add a high school quarterback prospect to their 2011 recruiting class. The Miners now appear set to have six quarterbacks on the roster in 2011. Obviously, coming from a TAPP's school, Sullivan didn't play against elite competition at the high school level. Sullivan will be the only true freshman QB on the roster in 2011. So, common sense says he will be a lock to redshirt.
UTEP will also have unproven 2010 reserves Carson Meger and Tate Smith, redshirt freshman Javia Hall, and the two junior college prospects Nick Lamaison and Antavious Sims on the roster. Most Miner fans thought Javia Hall would be the quarterback of the future at UTEP, but the events of the last few weeks show that Mike Price didn't think Hall would be ready as a redshirt freshman and that UTEP needed more options than Meger and Smith. Coach Price has publicly bashed the level of effort and the work ethic of Meger, Smith, and Hall.
Today, Bret Bloomquist noted that Sims will take over the Wildcat role previously occupied by James Thomas II.
Antavius Sims confirmed he has committed to UTEP, chosing the Miners over the University of Washington. He said he wil take over what UTEP fans probably think of as the James Thomas/Lorne Sam receiver/Wildcat quarterback role.
Lamaison figures to be the favorite heading into spring ball to emerge as Trevor Vittatoe's replacement.
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