The main goal for the class of 2016 is to grab five linebackers and Sean Kugler and his coaching staff picked up linebacker commit number two as Cedar Hill's Kolbi McGary announced his commitment to UTEP this morning.
Miner up!!!!! pic.twitter.com/9pwdGtkHCO
— kolb (@yeakolb) January 28, 2016
McGary, a 6'1, 205 pound outside linebacker from Cedar Hill, Texas, was Cedar Hill's second leading tackler this past season, and was an AP Texas Class 6A honorable mention as a defensive back.
He had offers from Northern Illinois, Tennessee State, and Missouri State, and had received heavy interest from SMU.
Cedar Hill has become an FBS prospect factory in recent years, as they sent nine players to FBS programs coming off a 6A state title in 2014 during McGary's junior season. McGary led Cedar Hill to a 9-2 record this past season as he averaged 6.6 tackles per game.
Not only is UTEP tapping into a prestigious FBS feeder in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, McGary brings tons of value, with a chance to crack the depth chart early based on needs come the fall.
An outside linebacker for most of high school career, McGary could be a perfect fit for a hybrid linebacker/safety in UTEP's new 3-4 scheme who can drop back in coverage with his 4.4 40-yard dash speed.
Another linebacker prospect to keep an eye on over the next couple of days leading into signing day is Sinoe Topu from Allen, Texas who was offered yesterday.
McGary visited the UTEP campus last weekend, and now gives UTEP 14 total high school commits, with the 15th member of the class of 2016 JUCO offensive lineman Tanner Stallings already on campus.
National signing day is next Wednesday, February 3rd.