The decision won't be official until he enters a game, but the true freshman most likely to play right away is receiver Malcom Trail.
Two seasons ago, he was a quarterback at Class 2A Dallas Life School Oak Cliff before taking a grayshirt season in the fall.
"I probably won't" redshirt, said Trail, who joined the Miner team after the 2010 fall academic semester for its New Mexico Bowl workouts. "This is the way I want it. I want to play as quickly as possible, get as much experience as I can.
"Making the transition to quarterback, it's come along more quickly than I thought.
"The hardest part is getting used to the running."
As for the transition from small-school ball to Division I, the first thing he cited wasn't the speed
of the game. "The size," Trail said. "You don't get people this big at the 2A level. I'm adapting the best I can."
Coach Mike Price said he's done well. "He's playing better than I anticipated," Price said. "He looks to be the only true freshman we won't redshirt."
The other possibility is center A.C. Patterson, as good snaps from other backup centers have been a problem. But the hope is redshirt freshman Kyle Brown, who played defensive tackle last year and has never played center, will get better at that aspect.
UTEP got good news and bad news on the injury front. Isaiah Carter (ab dominal strain), Traun Rob erson (returning from reconstructive surgery on his left knee) and Tra vaun Nixon (ankle), were all
back Thursday, while Antwon Blake (shoulder) and Devin Patt erson (shoulder) were in red, but practiced extensively.
Then cornerback Rob erson, who had been having a good camp, injured his right knee and it could be serious. "He was playing so well," Price said. "He had rehabbed so well."
More will be known by today.
The only first- or second-teamers held out were guard Jerel Watkins (ankle) and Adam Ayala (broken finger). Blake will be a game-time decision for Saturday's scrimmage, as his shoulder has healed, but the training staff is reluctant to risk it two weeks before opening day.
Ayala, whose starting end spot has been filled by two-year starter Bernard Obi, will return next week, but will be in a cast for another five weeks.
Price has been overwhelmingly positive about his team's work this fall, but this is always the time of year he does something to make a point. At the end of Thursday's 90-minute workout he made them run for quite a bit.
"I don't want to waste any time," he said. "I don't want to waste a period. If they think they are tired, I'll prove to them they are tired. They are tired now."
UTEP installed its goal-line package, which had an interesting look: Freshman linebacker Anthony Puente is the third-team running back. He also played fullback at San Antonio Marshall.
By its nature, goal-line work involves heavy hitting, so UTEP will be sparse on that in the preseason. The tight ends were the big targets Thursday as Kevin Perry caught two touchdowns and Eric Tomlinson one.
As for receiver Cliff Tucker, who figures to have a big role on goal-to-go situations, "goal line is the 2-yard line and you won't see him there," Price said. "When we're on the six is when you'll see him."
UTEP will unveil its new uniforms at Saturday's Fan Apprec iation Day on the Sun Bowl concourse. They are a "cordura stretch-mesh fabric Nike uniform." Anyone wanting to know what that means should go Saturday. The event starts at 10 a.m.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359.
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