Camp Ruidoso: UTEP quarterback picture is clear, at least for now

While Ryan Metz is currently the projected starting quarterback for the Miners, UTEP has plenty of confidence in backups Zack Greenlee and Mark Torrez.

And all three have faith in each other.

“We’re all communicating from top to bottom, so we’re all helping each other out, trying to make each other better,” said Greenlee, who transferred to UTEP from Fresno State prior to the 2016 season.

The youngest of the quarterbacks, redshirt freshman Mark Torrez, says he is particularly grateful for the help from the veterans.

“I just ask them questions. I pick their brains all the time, and they give me advice,” he said.

Metz, an Andress grad, will likely take the first snaps in the season opener at Oklahoma, and he understands the weight of that responsibility.

“[Coach Sean Kugler] is giving me the keys to the car,” said Metz. “Now I’ve got to start the car and drive us in the right direction.”

But former Eastwood star Mark Torrez has impressed many at camp in Ruidoso so far. And Kugler says he will one day get his chance to shine with the Miners.

“You will see him on the field at some point as a future Miners quarterback that leads us to bowl games and championships,” said Kugler.

Greenlee also has plenty of experience. He was the starter for UTEP at the beginning of the 2016 season.

Meanwhile, Metz says his focus now is camp and week one, when he will likely start in Norman.

“One game at a time. We can’t look ahead, and we can’t look back. We’ve just got to take it one game at a time. And I think if we give it our best each play, then we’ll be fine,” he said.