Melucci to the Miners: Hometown kid commits to play at UTEP

EL PASO, Texas -- Julian Melucci has been one of the best kickers in high school football in El Paso for the past four years and now he gets the chance to continue to build his legacy in his hometown.

"Once he said I'm going to extend an offer to you, I just almost dropped my phone and started crying and hugging my friends," Melucci said.

That offer from UTEP came last Friday and on Monday the Eastlake Falcon announced via Twitter that he was committing to play at UTEP.

The decision comes after Melucci on January 27th committed to play at Sul Ross State University. Having to decommit isn't a decision he took lightly.

"It was definitely tough, I had to talk to my family and coaches about it," Melluci said. "At Sul Ross I had the opportunity to play and help their kicking squad out because you know it hasn't been that good and definitely know that I can come and help but then again this is UTEP and something I've wanted since I was a little kid."

Melucci can remember his grandparents taking him to UTEP football games all the way back in 2009 and loving the environment and atmosphere and can't wait to be part of it himself.

"I went straight to my grandparents house and I told them I'm not going to Sul Ross and I'm going to be a miner and they all started jumping up and down and started going crazy and it brought a little tear to my eye because it's something we've always wanted," Melucci said.

While it may be a special moment for the Melucci's it could turn out to be a pretty special decision for UTEP. Melucci is an accurate kicker who is known for slotting field goals from long range. His longest in a game is 52-yards and in practice 57-yards. He's also kicked a 42-yard and 45-yard game winner.

Melucci hasn't officially signed with the Miners, but he's set to meet with coaches later this week.