Texas football continues its non-conference slate this weekend, hosting the UTEP Miners in Austin. The Miners earned their first win last week, taking a 42-17 victory over UT Martin.
Head coach Scotty Walden, in his second year, has reshaped the Miners’ roster, bringing in 43 transfers on both sides of the ball from the portal. Here are three players to keep an eye out for in Texas’ week three matchup against UTEP.
Malachi Nelson – Quarterback
Nelson’s college path has been anything but linear. The Los Alamitos, California product was a five-star recruit in the 2023 class, ranked No. 5 nationally and in the same class as current Texas redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning.
“Both (Nelson and Manning) have a lot of arm talent,” Walden said during Tuesday’s media availability. “Each of them sees the field really well … it’s kind of a cool story with two … top-ranked guys (now) clashing in college.”
Nelson, a redshirt sophomore, played sparingly at USC and Boise State before transferring to UTEP in January in an attempt to resurrect his career, beating out last season’s starter, redshirt junior Skyler Locklear.
Through two games, Nelson has thrown for 456 yards, five touchdowns and one interception on 36-of-60 passing. He brings an up-tempo attack and a willingness to push the ball downfield.
“Malachi Nelson at quarterback was a very high-level recruit, a guy we recruited here, he’s throwing it all over the field,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said.
Kenny Odom – Wide receiver
Odom has emerged as Nelson’s top target, reeling in 14 receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns. The redshirt junior transfer from Austin Peay has topped 90 receiving yards in both games this season.
His speed and route running are similar to what the Longhorns faced in San José State redshirt sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero last weekend. Odom will be another solid challenge for the Texas secondary here in non-conference play.
Udoka Ezeani – Defensive back
Ezeani has risen as one of the stars on the Miners’ defense, picking up two sacks and 13 tackles through week two.
Sacks have been the staple for the UTEP defense, as the team is tied for the national lead in sacks with 10. Ezeani will serve as a good test for the Longhorn offensive line and Manning’s pocket presence.
The redshirt senior has taken a winding path of his own, like many of his fellow UTEP teammates, playing at Missouri State, Butler Community College and Boise State before finding a home in El Paso.
