UTEP Head Coach Mike Price announced on Wednesday that six mid-year junior college transfers will be joining the Miner football program and taking part in spring drills.
The new additions to the team are defensive linemen Jason Boyce, Ja-Boy Leomiti and Charles Ofili; linebackers Torrey Huckaby and Nuuese Punimata; and safety Roddray Walker.
In addition, Price said that offensive lineman Rod Huntley and linebacker Royzell Smith, who initially committed to UTEP last February, have signed financial aid agreements and will enroll at the school this spring.
Ofili and Walker were teammates last season at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell.
The 6-4, 285-pound Ofili was the primary run stopper for the NMMI defense last year. He was frequently double teamed, allowing other NMMI defenders to make plays. A defensive tackle, Ofili posted 28 tackles on the season, as well as four sacks, two pass break-ups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He anchored an NMMI defense that allowed only four teams to rush for more than 100 yards. Ofili played his prep ball at Eisenhower High School in Houston.
The 6-2, 210-pound Walker recorded 45 tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries in 2006. He earned National Special Teams Player of the Week honors after returning a field goal attempt 100 yards for a touchdown against Ranger College. Walker was a second team All-Conference pick as a freshman in 2005. A two-time Western States Football League Player of the Week, Walker first earned the honor in 05 after registering 15 solo tackles and an interception against Phoenix College. He was recognized again in ’06 after returning the field goal attempt for a score versus Ranger College. A Schertz, Texas native, Walker attended Samuel Clemens High School.
“Charles is a defensive tackle with a lot of upside,” said NMMI head coach Jeff Lynn. “He is very athletic and has a great motor. He is just a good athlete who plays with a lot of effort. Roddray is probably the best overall athlete that we have on our team. He is a big safety who can really cover a lot of ground. He really has a knack for the ball. Charles and Roddray are both really good, high-character kids.”
Boyce was tabbed first team All-Conference this past season at Mount San Jacinto Community College in San Jacinto, Calif. A 6-5, 240-pound defensive end, he led the Eagles with 17 quarterback pressures while adding eight sacks, three forced fumbles and five pass break-ups. He helped the Eagles to an 8-3 mark in 2005 and 7-3 in 2006. Boyce played high school football at August Martin High School in Jamaica, New York, where he was a quarterback.
“He plays hard, and that’s probably the greatest compliment you can give to anyone,” said Mount San Jacinto Community College head coach Ed Carberry. “He called me from New York relentlessly two years ago, wanting to play here. I was wondering why he was calling me, and it turned out he was a heck of a player.”
Huckaby played for Glendale Community College in Glendale, Ariz. in 2004 and 2005. A 6-2, 210-pound linebacker, he was a member of the Gauchos’ 11-0, national championship squad in 2005. Huckaby earned honorable mention All-America, first team All-Conference and first team All-Region honors in ’05 after tallying 97 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception. He was chosen the Western States Football League Player of the Week against NMMI in ’05 after being credited with 17 tackles and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown. He logged 120 tackles, 6.5 sacks and an interception in 2004. A Phoenix native, Huckaby played prep football at Maryvale High School.
The 6-4, 290-pound Leomiti played defensive end at Fullerton College in Fullerton, Calif. for the last two seasons. He led all Hornet defensive linemen with 28 tackles in 2006, including 3.5 for losses. He also attended Sante Fe Springs High School in Anaheim, Calif.
“I think he has the potential to be an impact player at UTEP,” said Fullerton College coach Gene Murphy. “He’s big, strong and fast. He’ll get better every game. As big as his body is, his heart is equally as big.”
The 6-1, 215-pound Punimata was a first team All-Conference linebacker a year ago at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. Despite playing in only seven of 10 games, the native Samoan racked up 31 tackles, including 4.5 for losses, for an 8-2 team.
“Nuuese is a great character kid,” said Mount San Antonio College coach Bob Jastrab. “He never misses a workout. He’s a yes, sir’ type of guy who will run through a wall for you. He’s hard-nosed. When he’s on the field he’s just an animal.”
The 6-3, 315-pound Huntley was regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the Midlands region by PrepStar. He was a first team All-District 7-5A offensive lineman as a senior at Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas. The 6-2, 200-pound Smith was listed as one of the top defensive back prospects in the Midlands region by PrepStar. He was the co-District 20-5A Defensive MVP and first team All-Greater Houston as a senior at Thurgood Marshall High School in Missouri City, Texas.
|
|
