April 28, 2008

UTEP's Lorne Sam signed a free agent contract with the NFL's Denver Broncos on Monday, while former Miners Jake Sears and Joe West have earned free agent tryouts with the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints, respectively.

The 6-3, 215-pound Sam doubled as a quarterback and wide receiver in two seasons for the Miners after transferring from Florida State, although he projects as a wide receiver at the next level. Sam compiled 934 yards receiving, 436 rushing and 185 passing in 42 games for UTEP. He was second on the team in catches (42) and third in receiving yardage (589) as a senior. He was also second on the squad in rushing attempts (60) and rushing yards (339) in 2007. He had four games with 80+ yards receiving in 2007, including 127 yards versus East Carolina.

Sears will work out for the Giants beginning on May 9, and West will work out for the Saints beginning on May 8.

A 6-3, 245-pound tight end, Sears contributed 13 receptions for 108 yards and two scores as a senior. His career totals were 44 catches for 491 yards with five TDs.

A 6-2, 210-pound wide receiver, West ended his Miner career with 93 catches for 1,540 yards and 13 TDs. He is tied for ninth place in the UTEP record book with 13 touchdown receptions. He started all 12 games in 2007, rating second on the team in receiving yards (734) and receiving touchdowns (six) and third in catches (41). West averaged a team-leading 17.9 yards per catch in 2007, when he had two 100-yard games - 153 yards versus Southern Miss and 101 yards at Texas Tech.

UTEP had three players chosen in this weekend's NFL Draft - OL Oniel Cousins (Baltimore), DB Quintin Demps (Philadelphia) and RB Marcus Thomas (San Diego).