UTEP head coach Scotty Walden had a different “Art of the Deal” strategy for an unofficial contract negotiation with athletic director Jim Senter this offseason. He wanted to take less money.

Walden’s just over a year on the job, but he was already hired in a different era of college football. Revenue sharing with athletes starts on July 1. UTEP moves to the Mountain West Conference in 2026.

While the contract talks failed (or succeeded, depending on how you look at it), he and his wife, Callie, started the “Walden Family Challenge,” matching up to $70,000 raised in NIL funding through April. Walden understands they’re asking more from boosters. He wants them to know he’s not sitting in some West Texas ivory tower. Walden is ripping his shirt off with a painted chest at basketball games, crowd surfing his players after a win, and investing money from his contract into the program. He’s all in.

“We are fully committed to building this program, making this the biggest turnaround in college football,” Walden said. “The 915, the city of El Paso, deserves a winner.”

Amid an 0-6 start to his tenure last season, Walden looked for wins on an internal scorecard. Year 1 could still be successful if the Miners didn’t compromise culturally and finished the season strong. He likens his role as a culture setter to a basketball referee. Walden called out the tiniest violations in the most trying times. Then, he let the players police themselves.

UTEP’s double overtime win over Kennesaw State and rivalry win in the Battle of I-10 over New Mexico State set the tone of Walden’s tenure. He’s carried a pickaxe on his shoulder all offseason with the number 15 on it. Even in a 3-9 season, the Miners were 14 points away from bowl contention. They were leading in the fourth quarter in three of their losses. The axe represents how close UTEP was - and how far they have to go.

The Miners spent Phase 2 of offseason boot camp doing mat drills in a dingy back room of Memorial Gym. The 1966 Texas Western basketball team, the first to start an all-Black lineup in the national championship game, practiced there. Walden wanted the team to understand the historic accomplishment of that team and the work ethic required to do it.

“This time a year ago, when we took this program over, the average squat max in our program was 365 pounds,” Walden said. There are high school programs doing that.”

But now, the Miners are up to 470 pounds, an over 28% increase in strength.

Walden’s new coordinators, Mark Cala and Bobby Daly, are just as hungry as his players.

Daly began his career as a Graduate Assistant, became a Director of Football Operations, and then proved his mettle as a defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Montana State. He takes the reins of a UTEP defense that led Conference USA in sacks and tackles for loss last season.

Cala has coached in Walden’s pace-and-space scheme over stops with Kendal Briles at Florida Atlantic, Arkansas and TCU. The offense has two proven weapons in All-Conference USA wide receiver Kenny Odom (741 yards, eight touchdowns) and Miner Back Kam Thomas. Thomas was an all-conference punt returner who lines up as a wide receiver and running back.

Odom and Thomas will be the main targets for whoever wins the quarterback battle. Skyler Locklear is the incumbent, but former five-star Malachi Nelson became UTEP’s highest-rated recruit in program history this offseason.

While Walden has dabbled in the transfer portal, he’s invested in the Texas high school football ranks. Walden’s first two recruiting classes have ranked atop Conference USA, while the 42 Texas players signed are the most in FBS.

“We are going to build this program with players from winning programs in the state of Texas,” Walden said. “We’re not playing about that. You look at the history of UTEP; it’s always been about what JUCO guy and transfer guy can we do this with. If we want to build a consistent winner, we have to build it with elite high school football players.”

DCTF Take

The base foundation is vital to a construction project. But to the naked eye, which judges progress based on height, it looks like the build is stalling. Similarly, change happens within the locker room before fans see it. UTEP head coach Scotty Walden’s back-to-back top-ranked recruiting classes in Conference USA point to a good foundation. The time for off-field victories, however, is over. The Miners must improve on a 3-9 record in 2025. While Malachi Nelson was the flashy addition, the moves like offensive tackle Mark Robinson will allow UTEP to reach a bowl game for just the sixth time in the 21st century.

Offensive Breakdown 

The ‘Miner Drill’ is the character test of UTEP’s football program. It’s deceptively simple: one team-wide 40-yard sprint at the end of every offseason conditioning workout. Except it’s pass-fail. Everyone has to be perfect, or they do it again. Scotty Walden demands that his team be at their best late in the game when other teams are tired and at their worst.

That explains why UTEP’s offense came to life in its final two Conference USA games, a 43-35 double overtime win over Kennesaw State and a 42-35 win over New Mexico State. In those contests, quarterback Skyler Locklear and wide receiver Kenny Odom connected on four touchdown passes and made their case as the future stars of UTEP.

Walden describes Odom as the ‘Definition of a Miner.’ At 5-10, 170 pounds, the redshirt junior is a savvy route-runner whose eight touchdown catches last season often came at the most clutch moments (two overtime touchdown receptions against Kennesaw State). He will be the offensive focal point in 2025.

On the other hand, Locklear had more to prove this offseason when UTEP signed former five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson. Despite throwing just 20 passes over two seasons at USC and Boise State, Nelson’s name made him the assumed starter to those outside the program. But Walden, who first coached Locklear at Austin Peay, says last year’s starter had his best spring practice of his career. This battle will rage into fall camp.

Whoever wins the quarterback competition needs better protection in 2024. The Miners were whipped up front and made getting stronger the top priority this offseason. The team increased their average squat max from 365 to 470 pounds. The average size of offensive linemen they added is 6-6, 315.

Left tackle Mark Robinson was one of the most significant portal pieces. He was the 2024 Sun Conference Freshman of the Year at Southeastern University and was a stud during spring practice. Redshirt seniors Ivan Escobar and Azizi Henry missed spring practice but will be impact players. Escobar is the favorite to slide from guard to center after Brennan Smith transferred to Mississippi State in the spring. Returnees Joseph Immediato and Jaquan Toney are competing at right guard. Walden indicated before spring ball that Toney would have a bigger role in the offense after serving as the top reserve for most of last season.

Miner Back Kam Thomas is the second proven weapon behind Odom. Thomas, a hybrid wide receiver/running back, is a gadget guy on offense and an elite kick returner on special teams. New offensive coordinator Mark Cala, formerly at TCU, compares Thomas’ usage to Horned Frogs’ wide receiver Savion Williams. The size difference - Williams is 6-5 and Thomas is 5-7 - provides different skill sets. But Williams took snaps at multiple positions last year (most notably wildcat QB). Walden and Cala will find unique ways to get Thomas the ball.

UTEP must find another threat in the passing game behind Odom and Thomas in preseason camp. The Miners may run more formations with a tight end. Judah Ezinwa caught a touchdown pass in the spring game.

Running back Ashten Emory, a former District MVP at Rockwall High School from Walden’s inaugural recruiting class, had ‘a hell of a spring.’ The staff has been pleased with his development and cites Charlotte transfer Hahsaun Wilson as a steady presence.

 

Breakout Candidates

TE Cash Cheeks – The Northern Colorado transfer is a matchup nightmare for his playmaking ability at 6-7, 250 pounds. He runs like a receiver and hits like a tight end. The staff loved the spring he had and thinks he’s poised for a big year. Cheeks is competing with returner Judah Ezinwa.

WR Aramoni Rhone – The 6-5, 195-pound receiver gives the Miners size on the outside, which they lacked last season. Even though he’s made some mistakes (which is to be expected after transferring in from UAPB), the coaches describe him as an eager learner whose effort and desire are constant. He’ll push for early playing time.

 

Projected Starters

WR(x)             6          Kenny Odom              R-Jr.                5-10, 170         Savannah, Ga.

WR(z)             0          Ashton Nickelberry    R-Sr.               5-10, 181         Brandon, Miss.

TE                   82        Judah Ezinwa              R-Jr.                6-3, 235           Fontana, Calif.

Miner Back     5          Kam Thomas              R-Sr.               5-7, 184           Birmingham, Ala.

LT                   66        Mark Robinson           Soph.               6-5, 320           Altamonte Springs, Fla.         

LG                   69        James Williams           Soph.               6-3, 325           Moore, Okla               

C                     53        Ivan Escobar               R-Sr.               6-2, 305           El Paso, Texas

RG                  60        Joseph Immediato       R-Sr.               6-4, 318           El Paso, Texas           

RT                   74        Azizi Henry                R-Sr.               6-4, 310           Wylie, Texas

QB                  9          Skyler Locklear          R-Jr                 5-11,195          Clayton, N.C.

RB                   4          Ashten Emory             R-Fr.               5-11, 195         Dallas, Texas

K                     33        Tanner Cragun                        R-Soph.           6-2, 195           Frisco, Texas

Keep An Eye On 

UTEP’s ‘Blue Blaze’ offense prides itself on snapping the football in 12 seconds or less. At its best, the pace prevents defenses from subbing and causes confusion. But more often than not in 2024, the Miners didn’t control the ball and hung their defense out to dry. UTEP’s average 27 minutes of possession time was 113th in the nation. No running back averaged better than 4 yards per carry, which forced UTEP to rely on the quick pass (and risk stopping the clock) as an extension of the run game. Can new starter Ashten Emory help the Miners sustain drives?

 

By the Numbers

19.6 – Points UTEP scored per game, which ranked 122nd in the nation. The Miners scored under 20 points per contest for the second year in a row.

7.33 – Tackles for loss per game UTEP allowed, which ranked 123rd in the FBS and last in Conference USA. The average offensive linemen added this offseason was 6-6, 315 pounds.

10.76 – UTEP’s passing yards per completion ranked 115th in the nation. Part of this was by design; part was a lack of protection.

Defensive Breakdown 

Scotty Walden does not believe in changing the defensive play calls for a new coordinator. Bobby Daly may replace JJ Clark, who took an assistant linebackers coaching job with the Dallas Cowboys. But this is still Walden’s ‘Orange Swarm,’ three-down lineman base defense.

Daly prefers putting the stress of learning a new playbook on himself rather than an entire defense. He came to UTEP for his first FBS defensive coordinator job to get out of his comfort zone. Daly believes it's the only way to grow. A former All-American linebacker at Montana State, he spent the last six seasons coaching at his alma mater.

But Daly will put his own spin on the unit as the play caller. He’s dialing up more defensive blitz concepts from second-level defenders than UTEP did last year. He’ll also favor formations with three traditional linebackers plus a Bandit edge rusher. UTEP previously played more sets with two traditional linebackers and a Bandit.

Daly has a loaded linebacker room to mentor. Stratton Shufelt made the All-Conference USA Freshman Team last season. However, the former No. 1 overall recruit in New Mexico for the Class of 2024 still has a long way to go to pass his father, Pete, on UTEP’s all-time leading tacklers list.

Walden has reunited with two former Austin Peay linebackers who are favorites to start. Joshua Rudolph finished second in tackles on the 2022 Austin Peay team before playing the last two seasons at Indiana. Walden believes linebacker Garrett Hawkins was on the brink of a great career at Austin Peay before he lured him to UTEP.

Speaking of former Austin Peay players, Xavier Smith is the headliner of a long and athletic safety room. He led the Miners with five passes defended and finished third on the team with 78 total tackles. Smith pairs with the 6-foot-3 Lantz Russell, whom UTEP wide receiver Kam Thomas shouted out for making plays every week of spring ball.

The Miners ranked 99th nationally in opponent plays of 10+ yards allowed. Part of the tendency to surrender explosive plays was due to depth issues. At times last season, UTEP played games with two healthy cornerbacks. Walden had to move linebackers to safety and safeties to corner to cover the injuries. But Walden couldn’t help but think about the difference a year makes for secondary depth as he wrote down the defensive depth chart on the whiteboard this spring. It starts with cornerback Neil Campbell, a three-time All-American with 16 career interceptions at Indiana Wesleyan.

But if depth in the backend is a luxury, depth on the front end is a concern. UTEP returns defensive tackle KD Johnson, thanks to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s lawsuit, which successfully argued against JUCO years counting for eligibility. A nursing major, Johnson’s presence is a lifesaver for the interior defensive line. Sophomore Ashton Coker was the only other defensive tackle out of spring ball on the roster.

Derek Burns and Udoka Ezeani will be the focal points from a pass-rush standpoint. Burns, a New Mexico State transfer, is the prototype defensive end at 6-5, 254 pounds. The staff has highlighted him as a standout through winter conditioning and spring ball. Ezeani has the tall task of replacing two-time all-conference pick Maurice Westmoreland (Tulane) at the BANDIT linebacker position. Ezeani (6-1, 216) is a slighter build than the 250-pound Westmoreland but provides matchup issues as a blitzer.

 

 

Breakout Candidates 

LB Micah Davey – An All-American linebacker at McNeese State, Davey totaled 311 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and 5.5 sacks over a four-year career. The proven playmaker enters a crowded linebacker room for the Miners but may be too talented and experienced to keep off the field.

DE Elijah Baldwin – Baldwin was 6-7, 200 pounds when Walden recruited him from San Antonio John Jay. The defensive end has bulked up to 245 pounds after a redshirt year but maintained the same gliding athleticism. Baldwin is behind some upperclassmen on the depth chart, but there’s heavy rotation at the pass rusher spot.

 

Projected Starters

DE                   11        Derek Burns                RS-Jr   6-5, 254           Dallas, Texas

NT                   90        Ashton Coker              Soph.   6-2, 290           Katy, Texas
DT                   7          KD Johnson                GR      6-1, 275           Houston, Texas
BANDIT         6          Udoka Ezeani             RS-Sr. 6-1, 216           Richmond, Texas       

LB                   1          Joshua Rudolph          Sr        5-11, 230         Montgomery, Ala.

LB                   8          Stratton Shufelt           Soph    6-2, 230           Rio Rancho, N.M.

LB                   43        Garrett Hawkins         Jr         6-3, 227           Sevierville, Tenn.
CB                   4          Neil Campbell             Grad    5-11, 205         Chicago, Ill.
CB                   18        Justin Content             Soph    6-1, 185           Hoschton, Ga.

S                      2          Xavier Smith               R-Jr.    6-0, 195           Atlanta, Ga.

S                      22        Lantz Russell              R-Sr.   6-3, 210           Riverside, Calif.

SPUR              5          Solo Barnes                 Sr.       6-3, 205           New Orleans, La.

P                      42        Noah Botsford            Jr         6-3, 200           Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

 

Keep An Eye On

Bobby Daly earned this job by coordinating Montana State to the FCS National Championship Game in 2024, surrendering just 18.3 points per game. But he is coaching UTEP’s prior scheme (3-3-5) instead of teaching the players what he ran at Montana State. While it’s difficult to calculate the exact number of coaches who keep the same scheme despite a different coordinator, UTEP head coach Scotty Walden’s approach is in the minority. With the transfer portal, Group of Five teams must grab more new players every offseason anyway. But if the Miners’ defense excels this season, will more G5 coaches adopt this strategy?

 

By the Numbers

32.33 – Points UTEP allowed per game, which ranked 112th in the nation. This figure is skewed by allowing 40 points against Nebraska and 56 points against Tennessee.

3 – Sacks UTEP had per game, which ranked first in Conference USA and tied for 11th in the FBS. The Miners must replace leading sack getters Maurice Westmoreland (8) and Kyran Duhon (7).

179.3 – Rushing yards UTEP allowed per game, which ranked 102nd nationally. Defensive tackle KD Johnson and a new crop of linebackers must bow up to put offenses behind the chains.

 

Ceiling 

9-3

Malachi Nelson wins the quarterback battle and shows Conference USA why he was rated a five-star. The addition of Nelson and added interior size unlocks Scotty Walden’s playbook, and the ‘Blue Blaze’ offense produces fireworks. Bobby Daly’s defense operates in attack mode with frequent blitzes because it knows it doesn’t have to be perfect - the offense will score.

Floor 

3-9

The Miners are still overmatched in the trenches, preventing either quarterback from finding a rhythm as Walden flip-flops between them. The unit’s reliance on tempo and the inability to run the football results in fast three-and-outs, putting the defense in a bind. One or two defensive line injuries open the floodgates of Daly’s scheme. 

 

Coach Gossip

“It will be interesting to see if their ‘fake it til you make it’ strategy is going to work. Jumping up and down on the sidelines in the fourth quarter down four scores to “bring the juice” goes over fine in Year 1. Hard to sustain the buy-in without results. So we will see if they can live up to the self-manufactured hype.”

“They play extremely hard. When they are able to get a few recruiting cycles through there, they will have a chance to compete in Conference USA (and then the Mountain West).”

“UTEP is a coaching staff that is doing things the right way. Love seeing the energy they are bringing to that place and how their staff is going about the recruiting process. UTEP looks to be a program headed in the right direction.”

2024 Results

Aug. 31           at Nebraska                 L 40-7

Sept. 7             Southern Utah             L 27-24 (OT)

Sept. 14           at Liberty                    L 28-10

Sept. 21           at Colorado State        L 27-17

Oct. 3              Sam Houston              L 41-21

Oct. 10            at WKU                       L 44-17

Oct. 16            FIU                              W 30-21

Oct. 22            at La Tech                   L 14-10

Nov. 2             Middle Tennessee       L 20-13

Nov. 9             Kennesaw State          W 43-35 (2OT)

Nov. 23           at Tennessee               L 56-0

Nov. 30           at NM State                 W 42-35

Record: 3-9 (3-5)

 

2025 Predictions

Aug. 30           at Utah State (W)

Sept. 6             UT Martin (W)

Sept. 13           at Texas (L)

Sept. 20           ULM (L)

Sept. 27           La Tech (W)

Oct. 8              Liberty (L)

Oct. 15            at Sam Houston (W)

Oct. 28            at Kennesaw State (W)

Nov. 8             Jax State (L)

Nov. 15           at Missouri State (L)

Nov. 22           NM State (L)

Nov. 29           at Delaware (W)

Prediction: 6–6

Biggest Game (50)

New Mexico State – UTEP and New Mexico State will continue the Battle of I-10 after the Miners move to the Mountain West. But fans never forget the last game as conference foes… for now. Plus, a Week 10 spot puts massive bowl game implications on the Miners. For multiple reasons, this game determines if Scott Walden’s program is moving in the right direction.

Trap Game (50)

Missouri State – The Bears may be a first-year FBS program,  but UTEP cannot afford to sleepwalk against anyone. The Miners lost in overtime to an FCS team last year. But this game has letdown potential, wedged between bouts with reigning conference champion Jacksonville State and rival New Mexico State.

Upset Bid (50)

Liberty – The Flames have scorched through Conference USA in their first two seasons with a combined 21-5 record. Coach Jamey Chadwell’s team should be strong again in 2025 with linebacker Joseph Carter and safety Brylan Green. But this will be Chadwell's first season without running back Quinton Cooley, who rushed for over 2,600 the past two years.