From UTEP, here is the lowdown on high school players joining the Miners.
Davis Burns
Expected to graduate from Coronado High School in 2020.
Played on both sides of the ball as a safety and wide receiver for the Thunderbirds.
Registered 144 total tackles (82 solo) for an average of 14.4 tackles per game as a senior.
In 2019, totaled six interceptions returned for 287 yards for the Thunderbirds.
During his junior season, he totaled 100 total tackles, two interceptions, and 240 total receiving and rushing yards.
Earned first team All-District and first team All-City honors during his prep days, while also being named Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a junior.
Coached by Bob Anderson.
Willie Eldridge
Expected to graduate from Cy Ranch High School in Cypress, Texas, in 2020.
Rated as a 3-star recruit by both 247sports.com and Rivals.
Chose UTEP over offers from Army, Texas Tech, BYU, New Mexico, Vanderbilt, Utah, Southern Miss and others.
Lettered in football for the Mustangs, while amassing nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 27 total touchdowns over the course of his junior and senior seasons.
Coached by Sean McAuliffe during his time at Cypress Ranch.
Michael Flood
Scheduled to graduate from Maricopa High School in 2020.
Multi-sport athlete who lettered in both football and track and field
Earned First Team All-Region honors as a senior for the Maricopa Rams.
Chose UTEP over Northern Arizona, Georgetown and others.
Coached by Brandon Harris.
Azizi Henry
Started 23 consecutive games over two years at left tackle for Wylie High School.
Appointed honorable mention All-District as a senior.
Also threw the shot put and discus for the Wylie HS track and field team.
Brother of UTEP sophomore offensive lineman Zuri Henry.
Michael Ike
Scheduled to graduate from Hendrickson High School in 2020.
Named District 13-6A Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior, while also earning First Team All-Centex honors in 2019.
Picked up Second Team All-VYPE as a senior.
Earned Second Team All-District 13-6A honors as a junior for the Hawks.
Had 54 tackles in 10 games for Hendrickson, while also tallying 28 tackles for loss and 8 sacks.
Ian James
Expected to graduate from Aubrey High School in 2020.
Rated as a 2-star offensive tackle by 247sports.com.
Helped guide the Chaparrals to playoff appearances all four years during his prep days.
Earned District 3-4AAAA Division II second team all-district honors as a senior.
Named academic all-state by the Texas High School Coaches Association in 2018 for his efforts in the classroom and on the gridiron.
Coached by Keith Ivy.
Kiante Liggins
Two time first team All-District honoree at Andress High School, where he was coached by former UTEP assistant Jeff Woodruff.
Recorded 92 tackles (57 solo/35 assist) as a senior with nine tackles for losses, two sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
As a junior in 2018, was credited with 183 tackles en route to garnering third team All-State recognition.
Led Andress HS to district and bi-district titles as a junior.
Set to play for the Blue Thunder team in Saturday?s El Paso Football Showcase All-Star game in the Sun Bowl.
Three-year starter on the varsity squad.
Dresden McIver
Expected to graduate from Veterans Memorial High School in 2020.
Rated as a 3-star defensive tackle by 247sports.com.
Lettered all four years for the Patriots.
Helped guide Veterans to back-to-back appearances in the Region IV-5A Division I playoffs as both a junior and senior.
Totaled 62 tackles (36 solo) and an average of 6.2 tackles per game.
Chose UTEP over offers from Stephen F. Austin and Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Coached by Richard Mendoza.
Jacob Moi
Expected to graduate from Citrus Valley High School in 2020.
Earned All-Area honors as a senior for the Blackhawks.
Helped lead Citrus Valley to a 10-2 record as a senior, including a 4-1 in league play.
Coached by Kurt Bruich.
Elijah Robinson
Expected to graduate from Citrus Hill High School (Calif.) in 2020.
A two-time state champions who had 38 total tackles as a junior, as well as 11 tackles for loss and 8 sacks.
Named Most Valuable Player in the RSA All-Star Game as a senior after making eight tackles in the contest.
Multi-sport athlete who lettered in both football and wrestling.
Helped lead Citrus Hill to a 7-4 overall record as a senior in 2019.
Coached by Jason McMains.
Xavier Simmons
Expected to graduate from Parkland High School in 2020.
Registered 94 total tackles (57 solo), 9 sacks and 8 QB hurries as a senior for the Matadors.
Helped lead Parkland to an 11-1 record as a senior, including a perfect 5-0 mark in district play.
Coached by Eric Frontz.
Osaiasi Taueli
Expected to graduate from Mesa High School in 2020.
Multi-sport athlete who lettered in both football and track and field for the Jackrabbits.
Chose UTEP over offers from Cal and Northern Arizona.
Coached by Chad DeGrenier.
Angelo Tejada
Expected to graduate from Judson High School in 2020.
Helped lead Judson to a 12-2 overall record and 6-1 mark in district play as a senior for the Rockets.
Multi-sport athlete who lettered in both football and track and field during his prep career.
Coached by Rodney Williams.
Sione Tonga'uiha
Expected to graduate from Tempe High School in 2020.
Multi-sport athlete who lettered in both football and track and field.
Registered 47 total tackles (21 solo), 5.2 tackles per game, 3 sacks and an interception as a senior for the Buffaloes.
Helped guide Tempe to a 7-4 overall record and 4-1 mark in district play.
Coached by Brian Walker.
Connor Villalpando
Expected to graduate from Goddard High School (New Mexico) in 2020.
Multi-sport athlete who lettered in both football and track and field during his prep days.
He is the 8th-ranked linebacker in the state of New Mexico, according to MaxPreps.
Helped guide the Rockets to a 9-3 overall record as a senior.
Coached by Chris White.
Khalil Warfield
Expected to graduate from Antonian College Prep in 2020.
Earned First Team All-District honors as an athlete for TAPPS Division I-District 3 as a senior.
Finished his final season as a dual-threat quarterback for the Apaches with 2,671 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Was named to the San Antonio All-Star Team following his senior season.
Helped lead the Apaches to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the semifinals of the TAPPS Division I High School Football Playoffs as a senior.
Multi-sport athlete who lettered in football, basketball and track and field during his prep days.
Chose UTEP over offers from Southern Miss and Incarnate Word.
Coached by Van Fuschak.
So, there are the young men coming to UTEP from high schools. It gives you an idea of who they are and where Dimel is headed with his plan.
Trust the process.
