UTEP Football Inks 23 on National Signing Day 2026

2/4/2026 8:20:00 AM

SD 2026 NROSTER

EL PASO – UTEP Head Coach Scotty Walden announced 23 new Miners on Wednesday's National Signing Day 2026. All 23 student-athletes are currently on the roster and will be competing in Spring Ball.

The new class features 11 offensive players (five OL, two WR, two RB, two QB), eight defensive players (2DL, 2 S, CB, LB, Bandit, Spur), and four wefense players (2 K, LS, P).

EJ Colson headlines the current class, as the 6-1, 190-pound field general accounted for 19 touchdowns (16 pass, three rush) and completed over 70 percent of his passes while at UIW in 2025. El Paso product Tavorus Jones returns to the 915 after playing at Missouri for the last three seasons. The Burges High School graduate gained over 3,580 yards rushing in his prep career. The Miners beefed up their special teams, with two players averaging 245 pounds: punter Brady Braun (6-0, 245) and kicker Cade Hechter (6-2, 245). Long snapper Carson Loeb (6-0, 210) wrestled in high school. The five offensive linemen averaged over 304 pounds.

In total, Walden signed 46 new players after adding 23 on Early National Signing Day in early December.

The new signing class currently ranks third in the Mountain West.

Omoruyi Aliu-Otokiti | OL | 6-4, 315
Junior
Orlando, Fla.
Livingstone College
Windermere Preparatory School
Started in all eight games on the offensive line at Livingstone College in 2025 … Livingstone rushed for 140 yards (second most in 2025) and a touchdown during a 43-13 win over Shaw … the Bears finished 5-5 overall and 3-4 in league play.

Isaiah Bogerty | LB | 6-3, 230
RS Senior
Stafford, Texas
Texas Southern
Stafford HS
Played in 31 career games at Texas Southern … notched 187 career tackles (84 solo) with 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and two passes defended in four seasons with the Tigers … started in 10 games in 2025, producing a career-best 82 tackles (33 solo) with a TFL and breakup … tallied a career-best 11 tackles against Prairie View to open the '25 season … matched that total with 11 against Lamar and at Southern U … registered 10 tackles at Cal … tallied six stops and a TFL at Grambling State … notched eight tackles and a breakup against Alcorn State.

Jackson Bradley | OL | 6-5, 305
Fifth Year
Knoxville, Tenn.
Cornell
Webb School of Knoxville
Played in all 10 games on the offensive line at Cornell in 2025 … provided depth and versatility along the interior … started multiple games as part of the offensive line rotation … helped pave the way for Cornell's rushing attack that produced over 1,100 yards on the season … contributed to an offensive line that protected the quarterback through 289 pass attempts … saw action in 28 career games … played in five with one start in 2021 … started all 10 games at right guard in 2022 … played in three contests in 2023.

Brady Braun | P | 6-0, 245
RS Senior
Indianapolis, Ind.
Gardner-Webb
Bishop Chatard HS
Played in nine games at Gardner-Webb in 2025 … booted 30 punts for 1,443 yards (48.1 avg.) with a long of 61 yards, five fair catches, eight placed inside the 20-yard line and 13 punts of 50+ yards … averaged a season-high 54.0 yards on two punts at Western Carolina … averaged 53.5 yards on four punts (214 yards) with a long of 60 yards against The Citadel … booted a season-long 61-yard punt at Georgia Tech with three placed inside the 20.

Royal Capel | WR | 5-10, 205
Sophomore
Cibolo, Texas
Oklahoma State
Steele HS
Saw action in 11 games as a true freshman at Oklahoma State in 2025 … caught 10 passes for 47 yards with a long reception of 13 yards … added 10 yards on two rushes, nine yards on a kickoff return and seven yards on a punt return … recorded season highs in catches (four), yards (27) and long reception (13 yards) against Baylor … two-time all-district selection and a seven-time player of the week while playing at Steele High School … helped take team deep into the playoff as a senior, leading the squad with well over 1,000 yards and double-digit receiving TDs while also pacing the team in all-purpose yards and return yards … as a junior, caught 59 passes for 788 yards a five scores.

Carver Cheeks | WR | 6-2, 197
Senior
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Northern Colorado
Mesa Ridge HS
Played in 30 career games at Northern Colorado, the last three seasons (2023, 2024, 2025) … totaled 1,284 yards on 91 receptions and nine touchdowns the last two years at UNC … hauled in 71 receptions for 929 yards and six scores and added a rushing touchdown in 12 games during the 2025 campaign … totaled 18 tackles on special teams (eight in 2023, 10 in 2024) … totaled a trio of 100-yard receiving games … tallied career highs in receiving yards (223), receptions (nine), long catch (75 yards) and receiving scores (three) at Sacramento State … tallied 120 yards on career-tying high nine receptions and scored on a 13-yard rush at Idaho State … recorded 101 yards on eight catches and a TD at Houston Christian.

EJ Colson | QB | 6-1, 190
RS Sophomore
Byron, Ga.
UIW
Cedar Grove HS
Started in 10 games under center at UIW in 2025 … threw for 2,142 yards on 210-of-296 passing (70.9 percent) with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions … added 287 yards and three touchdowns on the ground … threw for a season-high 339 yards (29-of-45) with three total touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush) at UTRGV … tallied 306 yards on a season highs in completions (35) and pass attempts (46) with a touchdown against SFA … rushed for a season-most 103 yards and two touchdowns versus ACU … tied a season high with three touchdown tosses at UTSA … threw three TDs against Lamar … played in three games, making one start at UCF in 2024 … three-year starter at quarterback at Cedar Grove HS in Ellenwood, Georgia … threw for 5,969 career yards, 68 touchdowns (nine INTs), and rushed for 1,354 yards with 16 scores … ESPN four-star QB and number six QB nationally among 2025 players … completed 182 of 285 passes for 2,634 yards, 31 touchdowns and only one INT in 2023 … rushed 132 times for 868 yards and six TDs in 2023 … named the Georgia Region 5-3A Player of the Year for 2023.

Parker Cushing | K/P | 6-0, 190
Sophomore
Houston, Texas
Peru State College
Atascocita HS
Saw action in 10 games at Peru State College in 2025 … finished the season connecting on 12-of-13 field goal attempts with a long FG make of 39 yards … punted 41 yards for 1,417 yards (34.6 avg.) and long boot of 57 yards … was 32-of-35 on PATs … finished 3-for-4 on FGs against Oklahoma Panhandle State … went 2-for-2 at Grand View, at Williams Penn (IA) and versus St. Ambrose (IA) … hit 6-for-6 PATs against Clarke (IA) and at Culver-Stockton (MO).

Elijah Fields | DL | 6-1, 285
Senior
Houston, Texas
SFA
North Shore HS
Played in 30 games at SFA the last three seasons … totaled 65 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, a pass breakup and two forced fumbles during career with the Jacks … in 2025, saw action in nine games, tallying 23 tackles with 4.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks and two hurries … recorded a season-high five tackles with a TFL at Montana State … posted sacks against McNeese and Nicholls … registered 22 tackles, 3.5 TFL and a forced fumble in 11 games during 2023 … recorded 20 tackles with 4.0 TFL and 2.5 sacks in 10 games during 2024.

Esteban Guillory | S | 6-1, 205
Senior
San Antonio, Texas
Western Illinois
Cornerstone Christian Schools
Played in 10 games at Western Illinois in 2025 … totaled 50 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, an interception, a hurry and two pass breakups … opened the campaign with a season-high nine tackles at Illinois … posted seven tackles, a TFL and a breakup at Eastern Washington … registered seven tackles at UT Martin … played at Murray State in 2024, recording 32 tackles, 4.5 TFL and a sack … won two championships for the DefCon Texas 7v7 club team in high school … National Honor Society member.

Cade Hechter | K | 6-2, 245
Senior
Sydney, Australia
UT Martin
Played in 12 games at UT Martin in 2025 … finished 15-of-17 on field goals with a long make of 41 yards … was a perfect 27-for-27 on PATs … hit a 21-yard field goal at UTEP … went 3-for-3 on FGs at Gardner-Webb … hit two FGs against Southeast Missouri, Western Illinois and at Eastern Illinois… AFCA FCS Coaches' All-America second team … OVC-Big South first team … Phil Steele all-conference first team … named OVC-Big South Special Teams Player of the Week twice (Oct. 13 and 20) … led the OVC-Big South while ranking seventh nationally in field goal percentage (88.2) … recorded 72 total points … spent two seasons at Bethune-Cookman … played in 23 career games for the Wildcats … converted 11-of-17 field goal attempts in 2024 … made a season-long 48-yard FG against Western Michigan … played at Moriah College in Sydney, New South Wales (Australia).

Preston Hickey | DL | 6-1, 300
RS Senior
Mandeville, La.
Northwestern State
St. Paul's HS
One of four defensive players to start all 12 games on the season at Northwestern State in 2025 … only member of the defensive line to do so … tallied 31 tackles and was tied for fourth most tackles for loss on the team with 3.5 … first career sack came against East Texas A&M … forced a fumble against the Lions in that game … first career tackle came against Alcorn State during NSU debut and first career start … made first career stop behind the line a week later at Minnesota … had a career-high five tackles against UIW … before NSU, spent two seasons at LSU, appearing in two games … redshirted one season at Oklahoma State … lettered for former Demon Ken Sears' Saints … as a senior, earned first team all-state, all-metro, all-parish and all-district honors after setting the St. Paul's single-season tackle for loss record with 25.0 … two-way standout also caught a touchdown and a two-point conversion against rival Mandeville in the state playoffs.

Donavan Howard | S | 6-1, 200
RS Senior
Danville, Va.
Virginia State
Played in 20 career games at Virginia State (2022, 2024, 2025) … totaled 65 tackles (41 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 13 passes defended and a fumble recovery during career with the Trojans … tallied 39 tackles with 3.0 TFL, six breakups, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and two interceptions … posted a career-best 11 tackles with 2.0 TFL against Johnson C. Smith … returned a fumble 57 yards for a score at Norfolk State … returned a blocked field goal 100 yards for a TD in a 51-34 win over Bluefield State … intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards at Bowie State … picked off a pass to open the season at Barton … in 2024, tallied 26 tackles with two interceptions and three breakups.

Tavorus Jones | RB | 5-9, 205
RS Junior
El Paso, Texas
Missouri
Burges HS
Played in 20 career games at Missouri … rushed for 111 yards on 27 attempts with a touchdown during career as a Tiger … saw action in 11 games during the 2025 season … rushed for 24 yards on four carries with a long rush of 17 yards, a touchdown and a 20-yard reception against UMass … returned three kickoffs for 49 yards (24-yard long return) against Kanas … totaled 96 yards on six kickoff returns … saw action in five games in 2024 … recorded 13 rushes for 55 yards and one catch for 20 yards … played at Burges HS in El Paso, rushing for 3,589 yards on 353 attempts (10.2 avg.) and 45 rushing scores in 34 career games … tallied 1,673 yards on 142 attempts (11.8 avg.) and 20 TDs during senior season … recorded 15 100+ yard rushing games during career.

Jaymon Lamb | OL | 6-3, 273
Junior
Dallas, Texas
North Texas
Rowlett HS
Appeared in six games, primarily on special teams at North Texas in 2025 … helped North Texas post the nation's top scoring offense and the most rushing touchdowns in the country with 45 … spent two seasons at SFA … played in nine games with seven starts in 2024 for the Lumberjacks … blocked for an offense that finished 13^th in FCS in total offense … did not see action during the 2023 campaign … prepped at Rowlett HS in Rowlett, Texas … was a two-time first team all-district selection with the Eagles.

Carson Loeb | LS | 6-0, 210
Sophomore
Cypress, Texas
UTPB
Cypress Ranch HS
Named Honorable Mention All-LSC in 2025 … played in all 14 games as the team's long snapper as a freshman … was a first team all-district long snapper and a second team all-district fullback … made the honor roll … wrestled in high school.

Kaleb Miles | CB | 5-10, 190
Junior
Prosper, Texas
East Texas A&M
Prosper HS
Saw action in 11 games at East Texas A&M in 2025 … totaled 49 tackles (34 solo) with 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, two interceptions, a hurry and five pass breakups … tallied a season-high 10 tackles with a breakup against SFA … recorded nine tackles with a sack and forced fumble at Florida State … picked off passes at SMU and against McNeese … played at Navarro College … saw action in three games, tallying three tackles in 2023.

Sterling Miles | Bandit | 6-4, 238
RS Senior
West Bloomfield, Mich.
Eastern Michigan
West Bloomfield HS
Played in 11 games at Eastern Michigan in 2024 … totaled 11 tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack, two hurries and a blocked kick … posted a sack and tackle at Kent State … blocked a kick at Washington … participated in 11 games with three tackles, one hurry and two blocked kicks in 2022 … previously played at Cincinnati … part of a Bearkat team that finished the regular season 13-0 and as American Athletic Conference Champions in 2021 … played for head coach Ron Bellamy at West Bloomfield … consensus three-star prospect … earned 2019 Oakland Activities Association Red All-Conference honors at defensive end … power forward on the basketball team that was ranked no. 2 in Michigan.

Raymond Moore III | QB | 6-4, 180
RS Sophomore
Baltimore, Md.
Morgan State
Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical HS
Named the 2025 MEAC Rookie of the Year while at Morgan State … was named a finalist for the 15^th Annual Jerry Rice Award … closed the regular season as a six-time MEAC Rookie of the Week honoree … appeared in nine games and started in six … made his first career start during Homecoming against Virginia Lynchburg – delivering 227 total yards and two touchdowns to guide Morgan State to a commanding 44-6 victory … threw for 1,049 yards on 90-of-166 passing with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions … showcased dual-threat ability with 414 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns … rushed for a season-high 99 yards on 11 attempts with an 81-yard touchdown rush at Howard … tallied 83 yards on 10 carries with a TD versus Miles.

Lamar Sperling | RB | 5-8, 190
RS Junior
Akron, Ohio
Buffalo
Archbishop Hoban HS
Played in 25 career games in three seasons at Buffalo … tallied 401 yards on 82 carries (4.9 avg.), two rushing TDs, 71 yards on eight receptions and a score during career with the Bulls … added 133 yards on seven kickoff returns and a long of 28 yards … played in 11 games in 2025, rushing for 324 yards and a touchdown … added a long rush of 63 yards … amassed a career-best 106 yards on nine carries, including a 63-yard touchdown against UConn … had 11 carries for 48 yards against Saint Francis … appeared in 12 games in 2024 as a redshirt freshman … rushed for 150 yards and a score, and added five receptions for 59 yards and a TD … rushed for a season-high 86 yards and a touchdown against UMass … played running back at Archbishop Hoban HS where he was named the 2022 Ohio Mr. Football as well as the 2022-23 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards Offensive Football Player of the Year … broke the single-season OHSAA record by rushing for 3,984 yards and 59 touchdowns during senior season … rushed for 1,781 yards and 26 TDs on 192 carries in six playoff games alone … named Northeast Inland District Offensive Player of the Year … named Cleveland.com Offensive Player of the Year.

LaTristan Thompson | Spur | 5-10, 180
RS Sophomore
Mount Pleasant, Texas
Utah
Mount Pleasant HS
Played in all 12 regular-season games, primarily on special teams at Utah in 2025 … also saw action as a reserve on defense … tallied four tackles on the season, with a pair coming in a win over Baylor … named 2024 Academic All-Big Rookie Team … three-star recruit out of Mount Pleasant HS … earned first team All-District during senior season … started in high school career at Rockwall-Heath as a freshman … had 14 tackles with a sack and two passes defended during freshman campaign … also ran track with a personal record of 10.72 in the 100-meter dash.

Jayden Trapp | OL | 6-3, 300
RS Sophomore
Columbus, Texas
Texas A&M-Kingsville
Columbus HS
Appeared in seven games at Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2025 … played on an offensive line that paved the way for Javelina rushers to gain over 1,490 yards and 26 rushing scores … TAMK quarterbacks combined for 26 touchdown passes and 3,518 yards … Texas A&M-Kingsville averaged over 37 points per game and over 450 yards of total offense … first team All-State in high school … 3A first team … 3A Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Brian Williams Jr. | OL | 6-2, 330
RS Sophomore
Atlanta, Ga.
Jackson State
Creekside HS

Played in 14 games in two seasons at Jackson State … saw action in 11 games, with nine starts on the offensive line in 2025 … played on a line that paved the way for JSU rushers to gain 3,043 yards (5.8 avg.) and 30 rushing touchdowns … the Tigers averaged 32.8 points per game and 460.7 yards of total offense.

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