UTEP completes top-ranked class on National Signing Day with 14 freshmen-to-be additions

Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times

In something unprecedented in recent memory, UTEP and new coach Scotty Walden landed a top-ranked recruiting class heavy on high school seniors, as 14 incoming freshmen were announced Wednesday to join the 23 signees from December's signing day.

UTEP also added 11 transfers in January to bring the number of new players coming into the program at 48.

Scotty Walden was introduced as the new UTEP head football coach on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at a press conference at the Larry K. Durham Sports Center on campus.
Scotty Walden was introduced as the new UTEP head football coach on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at a press conference at the Larry K. Durham Sports Center on campus.

UTEP is typically ranked near the bottom of recruiting rankings, but Rivals lists Walden's first class No. 1 in Conference USA, ahead of defending champion Liberty.

Walden had a 3 p.m. press conference to unveil the class.

The 14 incoming freshmen announced Wednesday included 13 Texans and Stratton Shufelt from Cleveland High in the Albuquerque area.

The highest rated prospect, per Rivals, is three-star linebacker Brandon Jones from Dallas South Oak Cliff, who also had offers from Arizona State, Baylor and Kansas.

UTEP added 12 two-star recruits plus kicker Aiden Webb from Dallas Woodrow Wilson.

The class includes El Pasoans Craig Wydra, an offensive lineman from Andress, and Marcus Torres, a receiver from Pebble Hills.

The breakdown on the 14 incoming freshmen is there are three receivers, three offensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive tackles, two defensive linemen, two safeties and a kicker.

UTEP 2024 February signing day class

Wondame Davis Jr., WR, Ennis

Craig Wydra, OL, Andress

Stratton Shufelt, LB, Cleveland

Marcus Torres, WR, Pebble Hills

Brandon Jones, LB, South Oak Cliff

Rafeald Campbell, WR, Arlington Bowie

Kyran Duhon, DL, Humble Summer Creek

Jaylin Jones, DB, Beaumont West Brook High

Aiden Webb, K, Dallas Woodrow Wilson

Allan McCarter, DL, Alvin Manvel

Ekow Taylor, DB, Keller Fossil Ridge

Luka Matamoros, OL, Pflugerville Hendrickson

Ashton Coker, DT, Katy Taylor

Elijah Baldwin, DL, San Antonio John Jay

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP completes top-ranked class on signing day with 14 additions

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