This one may ruffle some feathers, but Gavin Hardison, despite facing some challenges last season, possesses undeniable talent at the quarterback position that puts him on this list. He has a cannon for an arm and has all the physical tools of a great quarterback. Hardison ranked second in Big Time Throws % (a pass with excellent ball location and timing, generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window) in CUSA last season, according to PFF. The only issue is he also ranked third in Turnover Worthy Plays % last season in the conference. I can go on and on with stats that support Hardison being on this list, but it won't matter because last season his production and play on the field simply did not cut it. If the Miners want to be a true conference contender, Hardison will have to improve his accuracy and motor in the pocket, while the staff will have to improve the playcalling to benefit the team's strengths. If that happens, Hardison can easily shoot up this list, but now, the 4th-year starter begins our list at 10.

   Judah Ezinwa was one of the biggest wins for UTEP on the recruiting trail from this past class, beating out rival NMSU for the talented tight end. Ezinwa, a Southern Utah signee out of high school, ended up at Mt. San Antonio College where he garnered multiple FBS offers prior to signing to UTEP. Although his stats in JUCO don't jump off the paper, his natural athleticism does. He'll be looked upon to fill the Trent Thompson role this season, and don't be surprised if the staff gets him involved in the passing game, because his speed and quickness are tough to matchup with. Look out for number 11 this upcoming season.

   Burgess committed to UTEP late in the recruiting cycle last season, so it made sense that he struggled to see the field in a crowded UTEP RB room. Coming out of Tyler JC, Burgess recorded over 1200 all-purpose yards, which led the Apaches. To go along with his 6 total TD's, he ran for 494 yards and 8 yards per carry, while also recording 42 receptions for 493 yards. Now, with a full season and camp under his belt for the first time at the FBS level, look for Burgess to make a difference for the Miners this season. He is a polished route runner and a shifty back, and he can be the Miners "swiss army knife" similar to what Rey Flores did the past few years. 

  Whenever UTEP dips their hand into the transfer portal, it usually works out. AJ Odums played in all 12 games for the New Mexico Lobos this past season, finishing the year as the 9th highest-graded corner in the MWC, as a sophomore. Odums is a fluid corner that will lock down the outside. He did struggle against LSU, but outside of that game, Odums was one of the best corners in the Mountain West. For UTEP to snag a quality corner from the 4th-best passing defense in that conference is huge. He and Torrey Richardson will team up to fortify a UTEP secondary that struggled last season, specifically in the corner position. 

   El Pasoans are very familiar with Aaron Dumas. The all-time rushing touchdown leader in El Paso prep football history had offers from over 10 FBS schools, including Arizona State and Houston coming out of Americas High School. Dumas would end up at New Mexico where, as a freshman, he would rush for over 600 yards and be named the Lobos' offensive MVP. After that, he would transfer to Washington, where he would redshirt this past season. Now, Dumas is home and will suit up for the Miners this season. The Miners just got a running back that not only starred at a Mountain West school his freshman year, but got to train with a Power 5 school this past year. Dumas joins a UTEP RB room that is very crowded, but he will find his way on the field. Look for Dumas to fill the Ronald Awatt role this season.

   Richardson was a projected starter last season before he suffered a season-ending injury in fall camp. During the 2021 season, Richardson fought his way up the depth chart as a newcomer, despite the two corner positions being filled by star seniors. Although he only started in three games, he played in every game and had over 390 coverage snaps. He led the Miners with 5 PBU's and only allowed two TD's. Richardson is also a very physical corner, and he posted a tackle grade of over 70% in all but 4 games last season. With his physicality and ball skills, Richardson gets the nod at five despite not playing last season. 

   After an injury-riddled 2021 season and a slow start to the 2022 campaign, Deion Hankins burst back onto the scene during the Miners win over Boise State. From that game on, Hankins continued to reemerge as one of the best backs in CUSA, recording 617 rushing yards, which was good for sixth in the conference. He forced 23 missed tackles from then on as well, which also placed him sixth in CUSA. Hankins would finish with 701 total rushing yards, splitting carries with fellow star Ronald Awatt. Now, Hankins will be relied upon by the Miners more than they ever have, and despite the Miners having so much talent at the RB position, look for Hankins to take up the bulk of the carries. Hankins has overcome his injuries and proved that he is one of the best backs in CUSA, with numbers to prove it. The big talented running back will be looked upon to lead the Miners offense. 

   The Louisiana-Lafayette transfer came in and seamlessly filled a crucial role on the Miner defense last season. He fit right into UTEP's physical style of play on the defensive side of the ball and recorded 91 tackles for the Miners last season at the safety position. He emerged as one of the best run-stopping safeties in CUSA, and was second in the conference in stops with 17 last season from that position. His aggressiveness did backfire at times, and he had a missed tackle rate of 18%, but if he can clean that up, there is much to like. Hylton also recorded 11 pressures last season, the most among UTEP defensive backs. It's important to note that Hylton did benefit from having a good coverage safety mate in senior Ty'Reke James, and the loss of him will limit Hylton's ability to roam the field as often as he did. Despite all that, Hylton has the raw feel for the game and if he can improve his coverage and limit the missed tackles, he can be one of the best safeties in the country.

   Tyrin Smith is still a Miner. The star wide receiver had himself a breakout year last season, recording over 1,000 yards receiving and 7 TD's, leading the Miners in both of those categories. Following the season, Smith announced he would be transferring to Texas A&M, but Smith wouldn't even end up practicing with the team and transferred back to UTEP. Smith ranked second among slot receivers in CUSA in receiving yards and was third in first downs in that position as well. We all know the kind of talent Smith possesses, and if he improves his hands, he will have an argument for the best receiver in the Group of Five. Gavin Hardison will rely on Smith a lot this season, and expect his production to take another jump. He earns the second best spot on this list.

   Tyrice Knight could have gone to any school in the country if he wanted to. The senior LB is one of the leaders of this UTEP defense, and for good reason. Knight was named to the All-CUSA 2nd team and led the Miners in tackles last season with 95. To go along with Knight's run-stopping ability, he is perhaps one of the best coverage linebackers in the nation. He led CUSA LB's with a coverage grade of 82.6, which also places him 2nd in the conference overall. His ability to cover any eligible receiver on the field is what makes him so valuable. He has the speed to keep up with any running back or slot receiver, and he has the size to match up with any tight end. Knight also has good ball skills, leading all LB's in the conference in pass breakups. Knight also is a good pass rusher from the linebacker position, and his 17 pressures ranked him fifth among all LB's in CUSA. Knight was almost a no-brainer for the one spot on this list. He is one of the most talented linebackers in UTEP history, and he brings a rare skillset from the position specifically. He has prototypical size and athleticism, but he also has the football IQ most coaches would dream of.