UTEP QB competition heats up at fall camp

Mack Leftwich and Garrett Simpson are the front runners to win the starting quarterback job in camp. As of right now, the battle for the spot is at its peak.

“I think the competition is going to be good for our team,” Leftwich said. “It brings the best out of everyone and it’s going to push everyone to get better every single day.”

The quarterback competition effects everyone. The Qb’s must find a way to develop chemistry with their receivers. That task is made more challenging since the team is also searching for a starting tight end and a second wide receiver to play across from Autrey Golden.

At tight end, one option is Cedric Lang who is in his first season after transferring from the basketball team. His experience on the court could play dividens on the football field…

There’s a lot of different motions in football,” Lang said. “But I think it carries over with soft hands in basketball, hand-eye coordination with the ball as well and obviously conditioning.”

“He’s 6 foot, 9. He’s got good mobility for his size, he’s a competitor and he’s got great catch range,” coach Sean Kugler said. “He’s got longer arms, he can twist his body. He’s got a basketball mentality out there on the football field. Today he made some catches that were difficult catches and he made them look easy.”

Golden says the uncertainty at quarterback makes it tougher to build a rapport between passers and receivers.

“It’s something that’s frustrating because there’s 4 or 5 quarterbacks and they’re all competing for one spot so everyone’s a little different,” Golden says.

The team is also searching for starting corner backs. However, the uncertainty at the position stems from a plethora of talent in the secondary.

“We have six guys who can start at corner,” Kugler said. “I just don’t know who they’re going to be. That’s a good thing.”

With the depth coach Kugler has created, the battle for the starting spots will only grow more fierce.