Miners land 6 junior college recruits: Former Texas QB the most well known of program's weekend haul of players

UTEP coach Dana Dimel landed his first recruits at big positions of need

Junior college quarterback Kai Locksley, a former Texas Longhorn who won the NJCAA offensive player of the year award at Iowa Wesleyan this past season, star Ceritos Junior College receiver Justin Garrett and Tyler Junior college offensive lineman Tres Barboza have committed to the Miners.

Those three were among six junior college recruits in El Paso this past weekend. National signing day is Feb. 7.

Locksley, rated the No. 4 dual-threat junior college quarterback by 247sports, passed for 2,238 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 20 touchdowns and 705 yards this past season for 11-1 Iowa Wesleyan.

He also had offers from Marshall and New Mexico State.

The son of former New Mexico coach Mike Locksley (now co-offensive at Alabama) redshirted at Texas in 2015, but transferred to Iowa Wesleyan when Texas looked to move him to receiver.

Garrett caught 38 passes last season for 592 yards and five touchdowns at Cerritos College. Barboza will be a sophomore in terms of eligibility this year.

The three announced their committments on various social media platforms.

"BLESSED, I PRAYED FOR THIS, GREW UP IN POVERTY, BECAME HOMELESS, YET I NEVER GAVE UP ON MY DREAMS, NEVER QUESTIONED GOD'S PLAN, I AM STILL LOST FOR WORDS," Garrett posted on Twitter underneath a photo of his letter from UTEP.

UTEP will announce its full signing class at a luncheon on Feb. 7.

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at 546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes .com; @bretbloomquist on Twitter.