UTEP Football Inks 22 on National Signing Day

UPDATE:

The Miners added another defensive back out of Arizona who signed late Wednesday.

Omar Lloyd is a 6'0, 175 pound defensive back who picked off five passes last season, and will most likely be slated as a corner.

There could also be a few more signings that come about during the signing period, as well some preferred walk-ons who will commit to UTEP. We will keep you updated on any movement.

Original story

UTEP head coach Sean Kugler and his staff have been hard at work over the last weeks and months scouting, recruiting, travelling and recruiting some more. All that paid off today with the signing of a number of athletes from across the country.

Kugler made it clear from the start that the Miners would attack positions of need, and they did just that, filling holes in the trenches on both the offensive and defensive lines, in the secondary, at running back, on the outside at wide receiver, and especially at quarterback.

The staff made a splash with a number of highly touted signees including guys like M.J. McFarland, Kavika Johnson, Kalon Beverly, DeMarcus Womack, and plenty more.

McFarland, of course, was one of the biggest gets of the recruiting class, transferring from the University of Texas after starring at El Paso's El Dorado High School as a wide receiver and tight end. He'll be eligible immediately, and will look to provide the offense with another great blocker, but could also split out to provide more threats in the passing game.

Johnson, a kid from right down the road in Las Cruces, is a very mobile quarterback who held a few other offers including both New Mexico schools. He should be one that comes in and competes for the starting job right away.

Beverly and Womack are a pair of extremely talented defensive players that could make an impact for that unit now and in the future. Beverly is a good sized corner at 6'1 and has some versatility that could prove to be a force for the Miners' secondary in the future.

Womack, a juco transfer, should find himself thrust into the rotation on the defensive line immediately, and at 6'4 300lbs will be a force to be reckoned with in the middle. He's a great run stopper, and also has the athleticism to get into the backfield and put pressure on the quarterback.

Also highlighting the class are juco wide receivers Elliott Oldham and Terry Juniel as well as a number of other high school stars including Denzel Chukwukelu, Foster Dixson, Brad Zaffram, and Cole Ford, and plenty of local kids including offensive linemen Greg Long and Markos Lujan.

Oldham is a speedy wideout with good size and great hands, and should become a real vertical threat for the UTEP offense. Juniel, a JUCO All American, is going to be a stud of a returner, and could find himself playing in the slot depending on whether or not Autrey Golden becomes more of an option in the run game once again.

Of course, these are just some of the names that became a part of the Miner family today, but there are plenty more that will make an impact for the program now and in the future. Here is the complete list of signees for the class of 2015:

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