Aug. 7, 2010
UTEP's quarterback depth figures to be bolstered on Saturday when New Mexico transfer Tate Smith practices with the team for the first time.
The 6-1, 200-pound Smith formerly walked on at New Mexico and played in four games for the Lobos in 2008. He completed 7-of-21 passes for 82 yards, but had his most productive outing versus eighth-ranked BYU when he was 5-for-10 for 60 yards over 17 plays.
Smith, who also played briefly at Cisco Junior College, left Odessa Permian High School as its all-time leading passer (3,214 yards). He threw for 2,375 yards as a senior, earning All-District, All-Region and All-Area honors while leading the Panthers to their first playoff appearance since 1998.
Smith will be utilizing the transfer exception for non-recruited student-athletes and could play as early as this fall. He has two years of eligibility.
Smith comes from a family of signal-callers. His cousins Stoney and Stormy Case quarterbacked New Mexico and Texas A&M, respectively, and Stoney Case was the 1994 WAC Player of the Year.
Also joining the team for Saturday's practice will be freshman wide receiver Jim Jones. The 6-0, 180-pound Redlands, Calif. native signed with the Miners in February after earning second team All-State honors his senior year. Jones compiled 27 catches for 464 yards in 2009 after putting up monster numbers as a junior (64 receptions-1,307 yards-15 TDs).
The Miners will be in Socorro through Aug. 15 and will practice at 4:30 this afternoon.
