Multiple ex-UTEP players work to raise NFL Draft stock at Pro Day

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Multiple former UTEP star football players took the field at the Sun Bowl one more time on Tuesday in front of scouts from 19 NFL teams, hoping to impress at the Miners’ Pro Day.

Former Miners stars like quarterback Gavin Hardison, defensive end Praise Amaewhule and linebacker Tyrice Knight were some of the nine former UTEP players to participate at Pro Day. Knight is expected to be the first Miner to be drafted since Will Hernandez in 2018.

Knight didn’t do any speed, weight lifting or agility tests at Tuesday’s Pro Day, instead letting his strong numbers from the NFL Combine speak for themselves. Instead, Knight went through linebacker drills. He told the media that he’s heard from almost every NFL team, with the Cincinnati Bengals perhaps showing the most experience.

“My agent and I felt good about my showing at the combine,” said Knight, who has meetings in the coming weeks with the Commanders, Seahawks and Giants. “I tested well across all the boards, I prove I can move around with a lot of power five linebackers. Today I stood by my combine numbers, improved on my linebacker drills.”

Knight is projected to be selected in the mid-to-late rounds of the NFL Draft, which is April 25-27 in Detroit, Mich.

Knight’s future is much more certain than the other UTEP participants. Hardison was back throwing the football four months after elbow surgery on his throwing arm. He put together a solid day as he hopes to get drafted in the later rounds, or get picked up as an undrafted free agent.

Hardison said he’s been throwing for about eight weeks now and feels like his health is at about 80 percent.

“I felt like I did well,” Hardison said. “I missed some throws, but for the most part, coming back from injury, I felt I had a lot of power behind the ball. It felt good.”

As for offensive linemen like Elijah Klein and Andrew Meyer, they’re also hoping big days at Pro Day will help them move up NFL Draft boards. Neither have heard much yet from NFL teams, but today may have changed that.

“It went well, I think I exceeded a lot of expectations and I feel good about that,” Meyer said. “My whole life I’ve been an underdog, so when they come out and get to see who I am, even during this process I feel like I’ve been overlooked. They saw that, ‘Maybe he can be a player.’ It was exciting to feel and see.”

Amaewhule exited UTEP in November as the program’s all-time leader in sacks and put on a show at Pro Day, setting personal bests in almost every drill. He’s heard from a variety of teams as well and is also eying the opportunity to be an undrafted free agent. It’s possible Amaewhule could be highly sought after, even if he’s not drafted.

“It’s been a grind for six years but I’m blessed to be here. It was pretty good today. Great energy, a great turnout with scouts, I’m blessed to be back in the Sun Bowl,” Amaewhule said.

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