UTEP still searching for production at tight end, but has bigger goals

Until the UTEP Miners start winning again, the first question they’ll face is how they are going to replace tailback Aaron Jones.

Another fair question that falls under the radar, but it’s very much there, is how do they replace tight end Hayden Plinke?

Like Jones, Plinke’s been gone for two years; like in Jones’ case, UTEP still is trying to figure out how to duplicate the production at a position that more often than not has been an important one for the Miners.

Actually, the position was solid enough last year when the players were healthy, getting 17 catches from David Lucero and six from Josh Weeks as they combined to play 15 games in injury-shortened seasons.

Given the injuries, that wasn’t out of line with the general 11-position offensive issues.

Health brings chance at more production

There’s room to grow there, however. With the senior Lucero and the junior Weeks now experienced, healthy hands, there’s a feeling they can approach the production from 2016, when Plinke had 38 catches and the position had 48.

One year ago:UTEP starts over with transfer tight ends

"We can use the tight ends a lot, if we have that type of tight ends," coach Dana Dimel said. "We can utilize them in our system; they can be a threat. We can get mismatches, get them in one-on-one matchups.

"We're finally seeing them healthy."

Dimel's offense is versatile and will use the tight ends as long as they are effective, and they've been seeing a lot of the ball this fall.

More:What the UTEP football team found out (or didn't) at Camp Ruidoso

Being utilized more

"The offense is great," said Weeks, who played a season at Brigham Young in 2015 before transferring to UTEP and sitting out the 2016 season. "It really caters to tight ends, fullbacks. We're pretty versatile in this offense. We can do a lot of different things; we're definitely being utilized a lot more.

"I have game experience. I wish I had more, but the injury held me back. But (playing time) gives you perspective. The games are 10 times faster than practice, and that gives you a feel."

Weeks missed most of the middle of last season before returning late.

More:Quarterbacks Ryan Metz and Kai Locksley solid in UTEP's Camp Ruidoso scrimmage

Lucero transferred from Arizona Western College last year and was actually UTEP’s top pass catcher before missing the last four games. He also was hurt coming out of camp but played through some issues early.

"We're going to be pretty solid," Lucero said. "We've been working towards our goal ever since we started. We're going to keep going until we get to it. It should be pretty good one."

The depth is from true freshman Trent Thompson. A defensive end out of high school, he was announced as a defensive end on signing day but was moved to tight end to give UTEP a third option.

"It's coming along great," he said. "It was tough at first, but once I started getting in the playbook, studying, it got a lot better. ... I thought I was done with (offense), but the coaches said they needed me. It's fun, getting to see the ball."

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