The birth of the transfer portal transformed UTEP football, but not in the expected way.
The Miners have used the portal sparingly, both comings and goings, as its existence has led many schools to overlook the junior college route that UTEP has exploited.
That's not to say the Miners have completely dismissed the portal, and the arrival of AJ Odums is a good example of how it can work. Odums, a cornerback, was a sophomore starter for an excellent New Mexico defense last season, but wanted a fresh start this year and found it in El Paso.