In a season defined by change, the UTEP football team’s defense is in a slightly different spot than the offense going into 2024.
On the one hand, the defensive staff is filled by coaches who moved to El Paso from Austin Peay with Scotty Walden. On the other hand, there are more players back on the defensive side than on the offensive side.
In the new 3-3-5 system, the starting lineup could include nine returnees, including the team’s star, Maurice Westmoreland.
More: Meet UTEP’s new offensive coordinators, staff under head coach Scotty Walden
They’re dubbed the Orange Swarm, the compliment to the offense’s Blue Blaze.
Here are some notables.
UTEP Miners Maurice Westmoreland (0) pressures the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback during the first half at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, Friday, September 29, 2023.
Maurice Westmoreland, bandit
A first-team All-Conference USA player as a defensive end last year, Westmoreland is moving to the newly created bandit position, which is a cross between a linebacker and an end. His primary role will be edge rushing, similar to last year when he had 7.5 sacks to finish second in CUSA in that statistic.
Westmoreland is part of the big Kilgore College connection forged by the previous coaching staff. UTEP now has four Kilgore transfers, three of whom could be starters on defense.
UTEP Miners cornerback AJ Odums (1) reacts after nearly intercepting the ball against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs offense during the first half at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, Friday, September 29, 2023.
AJ Odums, cornerback
Odums is the other 12-game starter returning on the defense. He was brought in as a transfer from New Mexico last year and immediately was slotted as a starter.
He had eight pass breakups last season to lead UTEP and rank third in CUSA.
Sione Tonga’uiha is a nosetackle for the UTEP…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/meet-players-utep-football-defense-123111533.html
Author : The El Paso Times
Publish date : 2024-07-30 12:31:11
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