Multiple sources have confirmed that UTEP has found their quarterback for the class of 2017, as Austin, Texas signal caller Alex Fernandes has verbally committed to Sean Kugler and the UTEP Miners.
The 6'4, 195 pound quarterback from Vandergrift High in Austin is a 3-star rated prospect by 247Sports, and was also offered by Princeton. He has yet to make a formal announcement, but he has since updated his Twitter bio in the past day saying he is a UTEP commit.
Fernandes was on campus for an unofficial visit during spring practices in April, and was also being recruited by Southern Miss., Texas State, and Tulsa.
A two-sport star at Vandergrift, Fernandes threw for 2,918 yards with 37 touchdowns, completing 62 percent of his passes with only eight interceptions in his first year as a full-time starting quarterback in 2015.
He's classified as a Pro-Style quarterback, but shows his athleticism in his highlight clips, also catching 14 passes as a sophomore in 2014 while waiting in the wings to take over at quarterback for the 2015 season.
Recognized as a Top 50 High School Athlete by the Austin-American Statesman, Fernandes averaged 12.2 points, and six rebounds on the hardwood last school year, and led Vandergrift to 12 wins on the football field.
He enters his senior season in a new district, one of the toughest in the state, and now adds UTEP commit to his already distinguished prep career.
UTEP now has two confirmed verbal commits for the class of 2017.