UTEP Football: Zack Greenlee arrives in El Paso for another quarterback competition

Former Fresno State quarterback Zack Greenlee arrived in El Paso last Tuesday, and was officially introduced as a Miner today.

Greenlee, a Stockton, California native comes with a distinguished quarterback background before signing with Fresno State.

He was invited to participate in the Elite 11 QB Camp and finished camp ranked No. 4 out of the nation's top 25 quarterbacks as a high school senior. The Fresno State transfer earned MVP honors at the Las Vegas Elite 11 Regional and was an Under Armour All-America selection, and four-star prospect.

Now Greenlee will be faced with new surroundings, a new offense, and a brand new quarterback competition at his second college.

"I got in last Tuesday, started finding an apartment, I was able to get some work in, work at the kid's camp, and that was fun," said Greenlee.  "After the past season I talked with my parents and we felt this was the best decision for me.

Greenlee was in a quarterback battle at Fresno State the past couple of seasons, and explained his move to El Paso.

"I had some great times at Fresno but it was time to move on. The offensive coordinator got fired, a coaching change and with the quarterback situation, I felt it was the best decision to move on. On the visit out here, meeting a few guys, the feeling I got from the coaches, it helped make the decision." Greenlee said.

Not only will Greenlee be competing for a spot, but the talented signal caller should make the UTEP quarterback room a lot better come the fall, bringing major experience in these quarterback tussles.

"At the college football level there's competition everywhere.  I've been in a (QB) battle the last couple of years and I'm ready to step into another one," Greenlee said. "I've got to attack it this summer, watch a lot of film, be focused, put in extra work and get ready for camp.  Coming in, I'm obviously the new guy, I've got to get established, but I'm not an incoming freshman. I have experience, I just have to work hard."

"I think my experience is going to help me and being in those past competitions I've been experienced in that." Greenlee added.

Greenlee got a big virtual endorsement as former UTEP quarterback, and Elite 11 QB consultant Jordan Palmer gave his blessing on Twitter. Palmer mentored Greenlee during the Elite 11 experience and the quarterback-to-quarterback relationship continued thereafter.

"Jordan, I met him at the Elite 11 back when I was in high school and he's been awesome ever since."  Greenlee said with a big smile.  "I've had a chance to work with him outside of that (Elite 11) and he has valuable experiences, and I value every time I get to work with him. "

On the X's, and O's side, Greenlee is excited to work with Brent Pease who has a main recruiter during his transfer process, and the thought of being back under center after running the spread at Fresno is very appealing.

"I've done the under the center stuff in high school, and I'm excited to get back to that."  Greenlee said about UTEP's offense.  "Getting under center and doing that type of play action and all that I'm excited for that, and I feel like I have some strengths in that type of offense."

Of course, Greenlee acknowledged UTEP's returning skill position weapons, but having a big, and deep offensive line has Greenlee fully confident in UTEP's offensive scheme built around a nasty offensive line that has only allowed 25 sacks the past two seasons.

"It all starts with the line, and he have a big one."  Greenlee said with a chuckle.  "It's going to be cool to work with them this summer going into camp, and build around them."

Now the competition for UTEP's 2016 starter under center begins.