Defensive back Kobe Hylton makes quick mark for UTEP Miners

For the most part, the UTEP football team has been able to avoid the direct impact of the transfer portal, managing to retain most of its players while focusing its recruiting on the junior college ranks.

In that respect, Kobe Hylton marks an exception as UTEP prepares for Saturday's rivalry game with New Mexico State.

The Miners' starting strong safety actually was a typical UTEP recruit in 2020 when he was a standout at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College looking to move to the next level. The Miners didn't win that recruiting battle, however, as with the COVID pandemic in full force that prevented in-person visits from coaches, Hylton opted for a closer move to Louisiana-Lafayette.

But, as…