UTEP Football releases post fall camp depth chart

While today’s official release did not specifically say "Zack Greenlee is our starting quarterback" the former Fresno State transfer is on the top of the quarterback spot with Kavika Johnson, and Ryan Metz listed as or's for the backup spot.

Some of the other major highlights are nine El Pasoan’s dotting the depth chart, and some interesting mixes at a number of positions.

The first thing that jumps out is at left tackle in where El Paso's Greg Long is listed as the backup left tackle. Sean Kugler has been super impressed with Long throughout camp, and pretty much verified on Saturday that we will see Long in action this year after he grayshirted in 2015.

John De La Rosa will start at right guard, and Derron Gatewood will start at center along the offensive line.

At tight end, it will be a by-committee or by-package approach as UTEP will interchange Hayden Plinke, Sterling Napier, and Kent Taylor in various run and passing packages. Napier who has been mainly a blocker in his first two seasons has seen his targets increase in the passing game in camp this season.

Other notable spots on offense are the wide receiver’s rotation with Terry Juniel and Jaquan White list as 1&2 at slot receiver, but that rotation will also be interchangeable per package and play call.

Eddie Sinegal will work behind Cole Freytag at Z-receiver, and Tyler Batson will rotate with Warren Redix in packages at X-receiver.

Quadraiz Wadley is the backup running back, and El Paso's David Jackson will spell Darrin Laufasa at fullback.

On the defensive side there aren’t many surprises, but more verification of freshman who stood out in camp and have earned jobs this season.

Freshman defensive end Gene Hopkins will be the backup at defensive end, JUCO transfer Makana Foster will backup Alvin Jones at middle linebacker, and redshirt freshman Jayson VanHook cracked the depth chart at outside linebacker behind senior Silas Firstley who will be the starter.

The secondary is full of moving parts who will see snaps in a number of packages, and sub-packages.

Nik Needham and Kalon Beverly came into camp as the starting corners, and remain starters with a pair of freshman Jerrell Brown, and Justin Rogers as their backups along with junior Brandon Moss.

At safety true freshman Kolbi McGary will back up Devin Cockrell at strong safety, and Dashone Smith and Brendan Royal will share snaps at free safety.

Another interesting point on the depth chart is the Miners using a pair of long snappers in offensive lineman Chance Bishop, and linebacker Cooper Foster.

Alan Luna will hold on place kicks, the kick returner rotation will be Terry Juniel, freshman Walter Dawn, and Jaquan White.

Juniel and Redix are listed as the current punt returners.

UTEP starts their preparation for NMSU tomorrow, and will probably release another depth chart next Monday ahead of Sean Kuglers first weekly press conference of the season.