It’s transfer portal season and UTEP football has been active offering different players, along with hosting prospects to fill out their 2026 roster. After a flurry of departures following the 2-10 season, head coach Scotty Walden has been tasked with finding new players to fill roles across the roster.

This weekend, UTEP received word that starting cornerback Justin Content and defensive tackle Ashton Coker will be returning to the squad in 2026. Other valuable players that announced their return to the team include wide receiver/running back Kam Thomas, linebacker Jayden Wilson, corner TJ Tillman and defensive back Kode Lowe.

Let’s dive into some of the different players that have reportedly received interest from UTEP.

QuarterbacksBraeden Fuller (Angelo State): In 2025, completed 86-of-47 passes (58.5%) for 1,050 yards, 15 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in eight games; added 312 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. In 2024, threw for 2,318 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, earning Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Harlon Hill finalist honors.Tyler Hughes (William & Mary): Completed 204-of-308 passes (66.2%) for 2,330 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions; rushed for 670 yards on 123 carries (5.4 avg) and 11 touchdowns.KJ Cooper (Texas Southern): Completed 158-of-261 passes (60.5%) for 1,626 yards, 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions; rushed for 292 yards on 77 carries (3.8 avg) and 4 touchdowns.Coulter Cleland (Davidson): Completed 178-of-319 passes (55.8%) for 2,117 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions; rushed for 183 yards on 62 carries (3.0 avg) and one touchdown.Matt Vezza (New Hampshire): Threw for 2,673 yards and 19 touchdowns with 605 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns as an All Conference quarterbackRunning BacksJames Jones (Delaware State): Rushed for 958 yards on 98 carries (9.8 avg) and 9 touchdowns; caught 4 passes for 45 yards (11.3 avg). Ranked among MEAC leaders in yards per carry.Jaden Green (Lehigh): Rushed for 854 yards on 139 carries (6.1 avg) and 8 touchdowns; caught 12 passes for 112 yards (9.3 avg) and 2 touchdowns. Scored 10 touchdowns in 2024.Nick Herman (Drake): Rushed for 1,034 yards on 144 carries (7.2 avg, 3rd in FCS) and 6 touchdowns; caught 13 passes for 120 yards (9.2 avg). Earned Freshman All-American honors.C.J. Miller (Mercer): Accumulated 1,267 total yards with 17 total touchdowns.Nick Osho (Indiana State): Rushed for 686 yards (5.8 avg) and 8 touchdowns for FCS Indiana State. (6-foot-1, 220 pounds)Wide Receivers(Committed) Carver Cheeks (Northern Colorado): Caught 71 passes for 929 yards (13.1 avg) and 6 touchdowns; rushed for 13 yards on 3 carries (4.3 avg) and 1 touchdown. Earned Big Sky First-Team All-Conference honors with three 100-yard games, including 223 yards and 3 touchdowns against Sacramento State. Brother of UTEP tight end Cash Cheeks.Royal Capell (Oklahoma State): Caught 10 passes for 47 yards (4.7 avg); rushed for 10 yards on 2 carries (5.0 avg). Contributed as a reserve in the Big 12.Rashawn Cunningham (Charleston Southern): Caught 34 passes for 628 yards (18.5 avg) and 7 touchdowns.. Earned OVC/Big South weekly honors after a 216-yard game.T.J. West (Texas Tech): Caught 3 passes for 24 yards (8.0 avg). Appeared in five games in the Big 12.Kamari Maxwell (Austin Peay): Caught 23 passes for 385 yards and 4 touchdowns as a freshman in 2024.Justin Popovich (Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania): Caught 55 passes for 709 total yards and 6 touchdowns.Offensive LineBraden Cain (Texas Southern): Stands at 6-foot-5, 290-pounds. Two years of eligibility.Defensive LineAchilles Woods (South Alabama): Recorded 11 tackles (4 solo, 7 assisted), 1.0 tackle for loss (4 yards), and 1.0 sack. Played in nine games as a rotational lineman.Emmanuel Olagbaju (North Dakota): Recorded 11 tackles (3 solo, 8 assisted), 3.0 tackles for loss (23 yards), and 2.5 sacks. Started five games at defensive tackle.Le’Kell Mc’Gowan (Memphis): Limited stats due to reserve role; listed at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds. A former three-star recruit who entered the transfer portal after two seasons in the American Athletic Conference.Nate Jennings (South Alabama): Recorded 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2025.LinebackersNai Mose (Georgetown): Recorded 63 tackles (40 solo, 23 assisted), 6.0 tackles for loss (20 yards), 1.0 sack, and 1 forced fumble. Led Georgetown in tackles.Robert Lee (Florida Atlantic): Limited stats available as a freshman; listed at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds. A former Orlando Sentinel Super 60 recruit.Micah Gay (Tennessee State): Recorded 31 tackles (19 solo, 12 assisted), 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 quarterback hurries and 1 fumble recovery in seven games. Earned OVC-Big South Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.Defensive BacksDonovan Howard (Virginia State): Recorded 65 tackles, 13 pass breakups and 4 interceptions. (6-foot-1, 200 pounds)Dillon Williams (Central Arkansas): Recorded 83 tackles (37 solo, 46 assisted), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 3 pass deflections. Started all 12 games at safety (6-foot-1, 210 pounds).Xavier Styles (Robert Morris): Recorded 36 tackles (23 solo, 13 assisted), 1 interception, 6 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. Started at safety.Brayden Hall (Central Connecticut State): Recorded 51 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, 200 yards on special teams.Kendall Bournes (University of Massachusetts): Recorded 62 total tackles, 1 forced fumbleDuke Defeats Arizona State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, 42-39

In a back-and-forth game, Duke prevailed in the final minutes and defeated Arizona State, 42-39, in the 92nd annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.

Gallery Credit: Jaime Barraza, VenPro Solutions/Sun City Sitrep/600 ESPN El Paso