UTEP senior safety Kode Lowe has been overlooked his entire life.

His only offer coming out of high school was from DII West Florida. After starring with the squad from 2021-24, Lowe wanted more.

"I decided I wanted to go play FBS," Lowe said. "I knew I was capable, so I wanted to put myself to the test and prove myself right. UTEP gave me a chance after coming out of the transfer portal."

It has been a great fit for both Lowe and the Miners. This year, he is tied for second on the squad for interceptions (one), sits fifth in solo tackles (15) and shares sixth for total stops (35). Even though he's made a big impact, he still carries that chip on his shoulder about being ignored at the FBS level after his prep career.

"I would say that does drive me every day," Lowe said. "That DII mentality, that approach never really left me. I don't think I've done enough to make me lose that mentality."

Lowe has drawn positive attention off the field as well, especially in the weight room, where, simply put, he is a beast. Last year, he set the program record for most weight (561 pounds) for a squat by a Miners' defensive back.

"That was a fun day. It was a max day for everybody on the team," Lowe said. "So, the energy was really high in the weight room that day, and I had a feeling. I knew I was gonna squat the most weight, but I didn't know going in that I was gonna get the (position) record. Once they told me how close I was, I had to go get it."

While it may have come as a surprise to some, Lowe knew that years of hard work in the department would pay off.

"My defensive coordinator in high school was also a weightlifting coach," Lowe said. "He made me take it seriously starting in 11th grade, so when I came to college, I had a head start."

Someone who hasn't been caught off guard by the play of Lowe has been UTEP head coach Scotty Walden, who is quick to praise him and his work ethic.

"It's his habits (that make him special). You talk about a guy that played at the Division II level and dominated that level. When we found Kode on tape, we were like, 'man, this guy's a no-brainer.' He has proven that he belongs at this level, playing against power programs and Mountain West. At the end of the day, it's his habits. When the lights are off and no one's around, he lifts hard, he trains hard. He studies his playbook."

Lowe has aspirations of playing at the next level, but even if that happens, he will remain hungry. He attributes that to his mom.

"I don't think I can do anything that would make me lose that mentality," Lowe said. "It's just in me with the way my mom raised me, the never-satisfied mentality. She's my everything and everything I do is because of her. She's my motivation. She was a single mom and growing up, she raised me and my older sister."

Being able to look back on those days keeps him grounded, in addition to motivating him to accomplish as much as possible.

"When I'm training hard and we have hard days, I've just got to remember why," Lowe said. "My mom sacrificed so much for me to even be in a position like this. So, I just feel like I kind of owe it to her to make the most of it. We have rough days and all, but at the end of the day, I'm blessed to be playing college football."

Lowe, who has been named as the team's academic Miner of the Week on multiple occasions, has achieved plenty in the classroom. He already has an undergraduate degree in multidisciplinary studies, and he is on track to graduate with a master's degree in leadership studies in December. He was also named to the league's academic honor roll in addition to earning the commissioner's academic medal.

"Being able to leave with two degrees and being blessed to get them for free means a lot to me," Lowe said. "That's made my mom really proud.

Having that foundation of education will open plenty of doors for Lowe in his future, but he isn't ready to give up on his dream of playing professional football.

"I'm trying to fulfill my dream of playing in the NFL and hopefully being able to make a living off playing the game I love," Lowe said. "That'd be a big blessing from God, but if it's not what He has planned, I'm going to find another way to be successful."

Walden is certainly one person in his corner who believes that is possible.

"I think (this time next year) he'll be playing for somebody at the next level, that's for dang sure," Walden said. "There's a ton of organizations professionally out there, and they'd be blessed to have a guy like this."

As far as what Lowe brings to the Miners, and possibly an NFL team in the future, he keeps it short and sweet.

"My physicality and my versatility," Lowe said. "I can do a lot of different stuff defensively on the football field. I'm just a defensive weapon.

He also has good qualities that have always helped him forge lasting relationships with teammates.

"I've always been a genuine person," Lowe said. "It has carried me a long way in life. I'm easy to build a relationship with because I'm going to always be real with somebody."

Walden knows and appreciates what he has in Lowe.

"He is A1 first class," Walden said. "His attention to detail (is his best quality). He does not go through the motions, no matter what we put him through. A walkthrough, a meeting, anything. Throughout his career here, we've had him on multiple special teams units, and he has never wavered. I love this kid. I just wish we had one more year with him."