UTEP's first offensive transfer since 2021 brings excitement to the offense

Article by UTEPZay

   UTEP doesn't bring transfers in a whole lot. Let me rephrase that. UTEP brings in a whole lot of JUCO transfers, but not much from the transfer portal. As a matter of fact, UTEP has only brought in 8 transfers from the portal since 2019, which is extremely low when you realize that schools like Colorado have brought in over 35 players from the portal this year alone. But UTEP fans are accustomed to this. They know Head Coach Dana Dimel's style of recruiting, which focuses on bringing in JUCO guys over everything else. And that style of recruiting works because of the transfer portal. 

   JUCO guys are often overlooked because schools are too busy looking for transfers from 4-year colleges, in the portal. Add in all the high-majors that go after the blue-chip high school recruits, all the junior college talent doesn't get the looks that they once would have. But going after only JUCO's guys isn't sustainable. Dimel knows that. The portal is too big of an asset for building a winner not use. 

   Dimel won't shy away from UTEP being very picky when going after guys in the transfer portal. After all, some may say that players in the transfer portal are "damaged goods", (which is wrong), but you have to be very selective, especially if you are only bringing 2-3 transfers a year. That selective process has resulted in UTEP being very successful with the transfers they do pick up. Breon Hayward and Kobe Hylton are just some examples of transfers UTEP brought in that made a huge impact on the team. However, UTEP hasn't brought in a transfer from the offensive side of the ball that made a huge impact since Devaughn Cooper in 2019, but they have one that can make a huge difference this year in UTSA transfer Dre Spriggs. 

   Spriggs hails from the 210, going to Harlan High School in San Antonio. The 6-2 wideout had offers from Tulane, Fresno State, UCONN, Hawaii, Texas State, and Coastal Carolina before committing to the hometown school of UTSA. While at Harlan, Spriggs dominated when left out on an island against DB's. He had 662 yards and seven touchdowns on 38 receptions in his senior year. He averaged over 17 yards per reception and was selected to the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game. That earned him a 3-star rating on 247sports. 

   Spriggs redshirted in 2021 and didn't see much action in 2022 for the Roadrunners, only appearing in 7 games this season. That doesn't seem promising, but you must remember the talent that was in that WR room at UTSA. Zakhari Franklin, Joshua Cephas, and De'Corian Clark can all play at the Power 5 level. Throw in tight end Oscar Cardenas and 4th-string receiver Tykee Olge-Kellogg, there really is no shame in not playing when that is your competition. 

   The talented wideout impressed a lot during spring camp and will have the opportunity to take a starting position on the offense this season. It won't be easy though. Tyrin Smith is expected to return to the Miners, which means his spot is all but locked up if he does. Throw in Kelly Akahraiyi, who struggled throughout last year but saw some bright spots down the stretch, the receiver position is stacked. Players like Jeremiah Ballard, Jostein Clark, and Emari White will all be gunning for a starting spot as well. The competition is high, but if Spriggs can lock up a starting receiver spot, he can potentially be a key piece to this UTEP offense, which only lost 2 starters this season.

   It's been 55 years since UTEP last won a bowl game, which is the longest streak in college football. But with players like Spriggs, the talent on this roster is undeniable. Will the Miners finally end that streak this year? Or will UTEP fans have to wait another year to celebrate? Guess we'll find out this fall.