Linebacker Joe Jay Smith Jr. announces commitment to UTEP
Outside linebacker Joe Jay Smith Jr. has committed to UTEP, he announced via Twitter on Tuesday.
Smith played last season at Garden City Community College in Kansas where he racked up 38 tackles and 5.5 sacks, according to the school’s web site. Smith also recorded one interception and forced one fumble for the Broncbusters.
Smith is a native of Bethlehem, Penn. and recently switched from defensive back to linebacker in his time at Garden City.
The UTEP commit helped lead his junior college team to a 10-1 record this past season with their lone loss coming in their last game against East Mississippi Community College by a score of 10-9.
The Miners had great success last season with another transfer linebacker. Senior A.J. Hotchkins of Oregon joined UTEP and ended the year tied for the lead in Conference USA in total tackles.
While not entering with the lofty expectations Hotchkins faced, Smith will hopefully be able to make up at least a portion of the 126 tackles Hotchkins tallied in 2018 in his lone season with the Miners.
