UTEP Miners: Walter Dawn Jr. finally realizing potential

For a time during his true freshman year in 2016, Walter Dawn Jr. made football look easy.

From starring as a 5-foot-7 tailback at Mesquite Poteet in the Dallas area to taking on a jack-of-all trades role at UTEP, Dawn gave glimpses of being the explosive playmaker the offense had so longed lacked.

On a memorable night in San Antonio, Dawn scored three touchdowns in regulation of what became a five-overtime victory against UTSA, the most by a freshman since 1985, and by all indications a star was born.

The star turn took a four-year break.

Through it all, Dawn went from part-time starter to part-time player to the transfer portal. He became a father, emotionally grew up, rededicated himself and…