Who is UTEP's next Cal Wallerstedt? Here are three candidates

UTEP knows what it's going to do at one of its two starting linebacker spots. Coach Dana Dimel calls Tyrice Knight the best linebacker he's ever coached, a senior who should be a Conference USA defensive player of the year candidate.

The Miners have a good history of finding a new face to pair with Knight and that's where they enter this season. Linebacker is one of the two spots in the defensive front seven where UTEP is looking to replace a graduated starter, as they have to find someone to match the remarkable production the Miners received from Cal Wallerstedt last year, a player who was fourth team in August before a stunning rise.

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UTEP probably won't have to go to Plan D this year, though the Miners would like to duplicate last year's search result.

There are a number of options there, including two typical junior college transfers and a player in Jerome Wilson who started the first two games at linebacker last year before a season-ending knee injury.

James Neal, junior linebacker

The leader in that battle right now is James Neal, who enters his third season at UTEP after an All-American turn at Tyler Junior College.

One of the best athletes on the team, he's spent the last two years learning and is coming off a redshirt.

"It’s going good," Neal said. "Three years, me knowing the playbook, it’s my time. I’m going to do what I need to do. It’s not pressure. It’s my time so I’ve got to step up and do what I need to do."

Neal played in the first four games last season before the decision was made to redshirt him.

"At the end of the year when we had our exit meetings, they were glad we redshirted and got a year back," Neal said. "Now is my time to show what I can do."

That was the idea when Neal was given the redshirt, that this would be his breakout season. So far in camp that looks like it's happening.

"We’re looking forward to James making a lot of plays," Dimel said. "We know what kind of athlete he is — strong, fast, very, very explosive, super intelligent. He has some experience as well so we’re excited what he’s going to do there."

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Nate Dyman, junior linebacker

James has a two year head start on Nate Dyman, who arrived in spring from Blinn College, but Dyman has impressed with how quickly he has picked up the system. He clearly has a natural knack for the position, reminiscent of how Wallerstedt took over there a year ago.

"It’s a lot," Dyman said of the learning curve. "But I’ve been working with coach P (defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Bradley Dale Peveto), I’ve been in the film room. I’ve been doing a lot of extra work and I’m starting to get it.

"In JUCO we didn’t have nearly as deep and in depth of a playbook. I have a lot more keys, a lot more things to read. It’s deeper, there's a lot more things I have to go off of when I’m on the field but I’m getting adjusted to it."

As for his understanding of the position, Dyman considers that his strength.

"I’d say my instincts are pretty good, I pride myself on being instinctual," Dyman said. "I can get to the ball, look for the quarterback, just trying to play football."

Jerome Wilson, sophomore linebacker

Wilson is a rarity on the two-deep, a player who came to UTEP straight out of high school, and this time a year ago he was a starter. He blew out his knee in the second game against Oklahoma and was out, same as 2021 which he missed to injury. Wilson's injury last year was the final domino that led to the discovery of Wallerstedt.

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Wilson was an every-game player as a true freshman in 2020, showing immense potential. Wilson is completely healthy now and ready to redeem that potential.

"It feels like a breath of fresh air being back and ready to go," Wilson said. "I’m a lot stronger than last year, I (set personal bests) with all my weights — squat, power clean, vertical. I’m ready to go this year, I feel way better than I’ve ever felt.

"After getting hurt and being out, that’s a little heartbreaking. But I was able to stay the course, keep working, keep working. It makes you dig deeper and want it even more."

Dimel said it's hard to tell how much time Wilson missed.

"We love Jerome, he’s gotten back to 100 percent," Dimel said.

That's going to enable him to join a big mix of players UTEP is going to put alongside the most proven of commodities, Knight.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Who is UTEP's next Cal Wallerstedt? Here are three candidates