This week, Tyrice Knight is hoping to be UTEP’s first defensive NFL draft pick since Quintin Demps was selected by the Eagles in 2008.

Knight could be the first former Miner picked in the NFL Draft since Will Hernandez was selected by the Giants in 2018. The Lakeland, Fla., native has been predicted to be picked up between the fourth and sixth rounds of the draft.

As several other Miners are also draft hopefuls, Knight might not be alone in being selected this weekend for the Draft.

600 ESPN El Paso will continue its coverage live in Detroit for the NFL Draft, with SportsTalk live airing from 4-7 PM (MST).

Knight comes off a promising offseason

Coming off three productive seasons starting at UTEP, Knight made his name known among the top linebacker prospects entering the draft during the offseason. Before UTEP, Knight played for Independence CC (JUCO). With the Miners, he was known as a tackling machine and finished No. 1 in the FBS in solo tackles (84) and fourth in total tackles per game (11.7) as a senior in 2023.

He was invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl and started to gain attention from NFL Scouts once the 2023 season wrapped up. He earned an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, becoming the first UTEP player to be invited since Hernandez participated in the Combine in 2018. Then, the reports of his team meetings started leaking across social media, including reports of being a priority interview for teams like the Giants, Raiders and Bengals.

Don't forget about Jacob Cowing

Oh don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Jacob Cowing, a diamond recruit out of Maricopa, Arizona. Over his two seasons at UTEP (2020-21), he was the top receiver for the Miners, leading all Conference USA freshmen in receiving yards and earning first-team All-CUSA honors in 2021—141 receptions, 2,595 yards, and 13 touchdowns over the two seasons.

In order to be closer to his family, Cowing transferred to Arizona for his final two seasons of college. During his first season (2022), Cowing led the Pac-12 in receptions (85), the most by a Wildcat receiver since 2002. Cowing's senior season saw him break a single-season program record with 13 touchdowns, finishing seventh all-time in career-receiving yards at Arizona.

As a fellow NFL Combine invitee, Cowing impressed NFL Scouts with his testing during the pre-draft events. Cowing is projected to be a day three draft pick. His position—slot receiver—is a coveted position across the NFL.

Best of the rest: Elijah Klein, Gavin Hardison, Andrew Meyer & Praise Amaewhule

Several other former Miners might not get selected in the NFL Draft, but could earn rookie minicamp invites across the league.

Versatile offensive lineman Elijah Klein is coming off a productive offseason that saw him earn an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl Game. He played on the offensive line for the Miners since the 2018 season and has experience all over the offensive line. His now former teammate up front Andrew Meyer impressed scouts over his Pro Day at UTEP. Meyer primarily played center for the Miners, but like Klein, can be versatile up front when asked to do so.

Then comes Gavin Hardison, who is about as polarizing of a draft prospect as you might find. Hardison took two offseason meetings with the Packers and Raiders. He was the Miners' solidified starter at the quarterback spot since the 2020 season. Hardison is coming off successful elbow surgery—an injury that forced him to miss the final half of his senior season—and proved to scouts that he is ready to get back to the gridiron on Pro Day at UTEP. Hardison's arm strength is his strong point and draft pundits have highlighted his big arm as a reason why he can be drafted.

Last but not least is Praise Amaewhule. His 82-inch wingspan and 6-foot-3 frame makes him a prospect that could have significant upside as he continues to add weight. Amaewhule became UTEP's all-time sack leader and totaled 53 starts for the Miners over his college career.