Who are UTEP's top new faces? Here are three quick risers
Loaded with so many returners on both sides of the ball, one of the UTEP football team's major goals of fall camp is building depth and finding the players who will follow the starters on the field.
As is usually the case, the Miners are looking to junior college transfers, many of whom look ready to step right in as major contributors.
When asked which newcomers have stood out through the first half of camp, Dimel pulled out three of those junior college transfers, two from UTEP's factory at Kilgore College.
Here is a look at some fast risers.
Marcus Vinson, sophomore tight end
With each passing practice Vinson looks less like a depth player and more like a potential star. He's worked up to the top tight end, replacing one of the few departing starters Trent Thompson. At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds he looks the part and has played like it since coming over from Kilgore.
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"Marcus’ potential at tight end is off the charts, he has the potential to be one of the best tight ends we have since I’ve been coaching," said Dimel, who was a position coach for Rob Gronkowski 15 years ago at Arizona.
"That’s the early analysis on him. He’s 255 pounds, he can run and block and do all the things you want him to do. He’s got good length."
Vinson has also been a quick learner.
"It’s a lot, but there's a lot of study on film, a lot of time with coaches," he said. "I’m getting it fast.
"I’m a balanced guy but I’m more of a block-first tight end. You get the blocking, then you get the reward with the passes. When my time comes on catches it’s going to come."
As for what brought him to El Paso, he cited UTEP's ties with Kilgore.
"It’s a lot of history," he said. "Guys like KD (Johnson) and Oscar (Moore), a lot of guys want to come here and compete. I wanted to follow."
Oscar Moore, junior safety
Another member of the Kilgore connection, Moore has shot up to second-team safety and ended Tuesday's two-minute drill with an interception, one of several he's had this camp.
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Safety is a spot where UTEP is reloading and Moore has inserted himself in that mix right away. At 6-1, 211 pounds he looks more like a linebacker but moves like a safety.
"We know what kind of athleticism he has," Dimel said. "What we really like is how he runs for 211 pounds, he can really move for being that big of a safety. We like his athleticism and he likes to hit for being that aggressive a tackler."
Moore said the learning curve has been steep but he's met the challenge.
"You have to take it day by day," he said. "There are a lot of older guys with experience, I listen to them, ask around what they’ve experienced.
"I feel like I bring speed. I’m a big guy so I try to get my body in front of receivers. I want to be a guy they can count on at the end of the day."
As for what brought him to UTEP, the Kilgore ties "played a big part and how it's family oriented around here," Moore said. "Everyone is friends with everyone, we have a lot of fun together, but when it’s time to get serious we lock in."
Mike Franklin, junior tailback
Deion Hankins is going to be the featured tailback this year, but that still leaves 20 carries or so to be divvied up among two or three other backs and Franklin is head of that list.
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The transfer from Contra Costa College got acclimated in the spring and has lived up to his billing as one of the stars of the current recruiting class.
"It’s coming along well," Franklin said. "I just keep meeting with my coach, getting better and better, learning the plays.
"Deion and I run the same. He’s more experienced, he’s the guy, I’m following behind him. I am a power guy but I pride myself on making the first man miss, then use my speed to take it to the crib. I try to be a balanced back."
What Dimel is most pleased with has been Franklin's fitness.
"The last week has been good with what Mike’s doing, it’s going really well," Dimel said. "He’s in really good shape, I like his conditioning and where he stands with his weight. He’s moving really well. Him and Deion are a good 1-2 punch for sure."
UTEP actually feels it has a good 1-2-3-4-5 punch at running back, probably the deepest position on the team, and Franklin is one of the reasons the Miners feel so good there.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Here are three quick risers on UTEP's 2023 roster