A YEAR AWAY: He already has the speed of the game down, but Jack Freeman might need to adjust to the physicality of college football. Once he does, he can be a dynamic playmaker, perhaps a slightly shorter version of Johnny Lee Higgins. ... Slowed by an injury last year, Daniel Palmer might need at least a season as a redshirt to regain his confidence.

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: His verbal commitment went under the radar for months, so there's a chance Miner fans know next-to-nothing about Greg Holleman. We can tell you all about him. DCTF recruiting guru Randy Rodgers was very high on Holleman from the start, giving him a spot on the illustrious Super Team as a linebacker. Holleman did most of his damage last season as a running back, so this player could blossom -- no matter where the Miners coaches put him. ... Though a longtime QB commitment bolted for Arizona State, Jeremy Springer is a great find so late. Like Holleman, who played in the Panhandle area, Springer comes from an area (the Valley) typically not recruited as well. His numbers last year (over 3,000 yards and 40 TDs) show that may have been a big mistake.

ADDRESSING NEEDS: Everyone knows about the loss of Jordan Palmer. With some replacement candidates already in house, getting just one QB won't hurt. Where UTEP needed the most help was on the defensive line; evidence of that was in the six DL signees.

THIS JUST IN: The Miners' list left off several players who were reported as commitments, including Houston-area WR Earvin Jefferson and Hooks LB Gerald Gooden, a late switch to Purdue.

YOU HEARD IT HERE:
"A lot of similarities with us and UTEP. Shot-gun spread offense, he’s an inside slot receiver. Extremely quick — we call him the Matrix, he makes people miss. Tremendous athlete. Explosive and quick; has a knack for making big plays. He wants to run track in college and part of him going to UTEP was he's going to run track for them."
-- Cy Falls HC David Raffield on Jack Freeman

"I think Simpson as a football player is still very young. He was the anchor for our offensive line. I can see him going to UTEP and playing center or guard. He's got great feet. He's still got some growing to do in terms of his body, but he'll make a great college offensive lineman."
-- Athens HC Jim Wommack on Simpson Rushing

"Great ability -- great athletic ability. Outstanding speed. His junior year was by far for us his best year. He had a little knee surgery (before his senior season). I think it bothered him more than it hurt him, but he'll be ready."
-- A&M Consolidated HC Jim Slaughter on Daniel Palmer

“Craig has good explosion and good quickness. With his height, he’s gonna grow into a big player.”
-- Copperas Cove coach Jack Welch on Craig Wood

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