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Basically... A ton of experience returns for Mike Price and new offensive coordinator Eric Price to work with. While the skill players could surprise, they'll have a hard time operating behind an offensive line that has little to no depth and returns only two starters. This will be a three-wide attack that will make a quarterback a WAC star, and now the question is which one it'll be out of the three average candidates.
Star of the offense: Senior RB Howard Jackson
Player that has to step up and become a star: Any of the quarterbacks. Omar Duarte, Orlando Cruz, Jordan Palmer
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore C Andy Smith
Best pro prospect: Senior TE Jonas Craft
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Jackson, 2) Crafts, 3) T Robert Espinosa
Strength of the offense: Receiver depth
Weakness of the offense: Tackle depth
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Orlando Cruz, Jr. - Cruz has the most all-around skills of the three quarterbacks battling for the starting job with the strongest arm and best running skills rushing for five scores last year. However, he's the smallest of the three and didn't do too much to get the passing game going last year.
Projected Backups
- Omar Duarte, Sr. - After being all but out of the mix last year completing only six of seven passes for 42 yards, Duarte is back and fighting for the starting job. He's the best pure passer (at least right now) of the three.
- Jordan Palmer, Soph. - The younger brother of former USC star Carson, Jordan struggled when given a shot last year throwing seven touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. He looks like a prototype quarterback, but he has yet to play like it.
The Skinny: With Mike Price coaching the offense, the chance is there for one of these quarterbacks to become a star. Now, which one will it be? The all have their own skills, but someone has to stand out and become the leader.
Player to keep an eye on: Jordan Palmer ... Quarterback Rating: 3.5
Running Backs
Projected Starters
- Howard Jackson, Sr. - Jackson was fantastic last season rushing for 1,146 yards and six touchdowns while finishing second on the team with 27 grabs for 391 yards and two scores. He's also one of the WAC's top kickoff returners averaging over 24.4 yards per return. The only concern is over his durability. He held up well last year, but was banged up in 2002 mostly because of his lanky 5-10, 165-pound frame.
Projected Backups
- Jimmy Smith, Sr. - At 233 pounds, Smith adds power to Jackson's speed. He was a bit banged up last year limiting him to only 180 yards, but he's expected to be far more of a factor this season.
- Josh Chamois, Soph. - Chamois didn't get a whole bunch of work last year only carrying the ball eight times for 19 yards. He provides another big back who can block.
- Fullback Matt Austin, Jr. - The odd man out in the new offense that doesn't need a fullback. Austin was second on the team with 456 yards and will come in if the Miners use a more traditional offense.
The Skinny: Jackson turned in a big season in 2003 running behind a solid line. He'll have to be better this year without the experienced hogs up front. There are several power backs to back Jackson up, but there aren't any home run hitters and no sped whatsoever if he goes down.
Player to keep an eye on: Jimmy Smith ... Running Back Rating: 4.5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Aaron Givens, Jr. - Givens is a good sized receiver who's overdue for a big season. He only made 26 catches for 233 yards and a touchdown last year, but he has the speed and talent to possibly triple that production.
- Chris Francies, Jr. - Francies' production dipped last year, but not a whole bunch. He's a reliable receiver able to be a go-to guy when needed. He's one of the corps' best combinations of speed and athleticism.
- Chris Marrow, Soph. - 2003's leading receiver with 34 catches for 467 yards and three scores, Marrow has more than earned the trust of the quarterbacks. He's a small receiver as opposed some of the other 6-2 players, but he's always finding ways to get open.
- Tight end Jonas Crafts, Sr. - One of the WAC's best all-around tight ends, he hasn't been able to show everything he can do because of injuries. he missed almost all of the second half of last year with a separated shoulder, yet still finished as an Honorable Mention All-WAC player.
Projected Backups
- Dirk Dillard, Sr. - As solid a reserve receiver as UTEP has had, Dillard is a productive veteran decent at intermediate routes.
- Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr., Soph. - Potentially the team's most dangerous receiver, Higgins has excellent speed and athleticism to go along with improving hands. He caught 25 passes for 362 yards last year.
- Casey Mauch, Soph. - Mauch is a nice fill-in receiver taking over when Crafts went down last year making 11 grabs for 108 yards. He's more of a big wide receiver than a full-fledged tight end.
The Skinny: This is a deep corps of receivers returning five players who caught at least 250 or more yards of passes. There's not a whole bunch of elite talent, but there are enough playmakers to shine in the Mike Price passing attack. Crafts could be the most dangerous receiver of the bunch.
Player to keep an eye on: Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr. ... Receiver Rating: 4.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Josh House, Jr. - House will have to try and replace Trey Darliek at the all-important left tackle position. He got bigger since his time as a reserve getting up to 290 pounds to be able to handle workload.
- Guard Jose Garcia, Jr. - Able to play guard or tackle, the 315-pound Garcia is more suited to the interior because of his average feet and weight. He's one of two returning starters to the line.
- Center Andy Smith, Soph. - One of the most heralded of the UTEP linemen coming out of high school, big things are expected out of him. He has All-Conference potential if he keep improving.
- Guard Ben Graniello, Sr. - An experienced reserve for most of his career, Graniello will start on the right side after starting four games last year. He's not massive, but he can move a little bit.
- Tackle Robert Espinosa, Sr. - The dean of the line, Espinosa has started 18 times becoming a fixture at right tackle. He's great at pass protection and not all that bad helping the running game.
Projected Backups
- OG Alex DiMatteo, Jr. - A celebrated high school player, DiMatteo still hasn't done much yet in his UTEP career. He'll be backing up Garcia on the left side.
- OT Luis Espinosa, Jr. - A massive player at 6-7 and 321 pounds, Espinosa cam play guard or tackle. He could ed up playing on the right side along with his brother, Robert.
The Skinny: For all the problems UTEP had last year, the offensive line wasn't necessarily one of them playing well against in pass protection only allowing six sacks in the final three games. This year's group need several new starters to come around, but there's enough experience to think that things won't be that bad. Depth at tackle will be an issue.
Player to keep an eye on: Andy Smith ... Offensive Line Rating: 3.5
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