Josh Fields Gets Second Chance with Miners

It has been a crazy last four months for Josh Fields. The former Americas High School star running back decided to transfer from UTEP after spring practice. Head coach Dana Dimel said at the time that Fields' decision had nothing to do with football or the UTEP backfield and he would always be welcomed back with the program. In mid-June, Fields chose to attend Georgia Southern but this week he changed his mind and returned to El Paso and the UTEP football program.

According to Bret Bloomquist from the El Paso Times, Fields picked Georgia Southern because of health issues involving a family member. However, the situation changed and he chose to return home.

From a football standpoint, Fields will give head coach Dana Dimel much needed depth in the backfield. As a true freshman, he rushed for 362 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His role was much more limited last season and he gained only 57 yards on the ground in nine games with the Miners. UTEP lost senior Quadraiz Wadley for the season to a broken toe and Ronald Awatt will miss the next six weeks after a leg injury he suffered at practice on Tuesday.

"We need to get (Fields) back," Dimel told Bret Bloomquist from the El Paso Times. "He's proven he can do it in game situations last year, he did a nice job for us last year, he understands the offense and he's big on special teams."

Fields will compete for carries with sophomore Rey Flores and true freshman Deion Hankins behind senior starter Treyvon Hughes. The former first team All-State selection will try and recapture the magic he displayed while playing for the Trailblazers. Fields rushed for 2,477 yards as a senior but he has not been able to translate his high school success into Division 1 college football. Although he has not yet taken a redshirt, UTEP hopes he will be immediately eligible to play in 2019. If compliance gets that accomplished, the Miners running game looks a lot better than it days just days ago.