Scotty Walden and his staff have made what is likely their final portal addition in advance of the 2024 season, and it's a significant one. Former Colorado linebacker Kofi Taylor-Barrocks has committed to the Miners, filling a void created when ballyhooed Cincinnati transfer Dorian Jones flipped from UTEP to Virginia.

Taylor-Barrocks, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound redshirt freshman, appeared in one game during the 2023 campaign for the Buffaloes. He had signed with Deion Sanders' program over offers from Michigan State, West Virginia, Ole Miss and others. But he went one-and-done in Boulder and decided to enter the transfer portal this offseason. When Taylor-Barrocks hit the portal, UTEP defensive coordinator JJ Clark — who had previously recruited him at Austin Peay — quickly sprung at the opportunity to bring him on board. And indeed, Clark's efforts proved successful, as Taylor-Barrocks is now headed to El Paso as the final piece of the linebacker puzzle for Walden's inaugural Miner team.

A native of London, Taylor-Barrocks caught the attention of college coaches via the NFL Academy, which is a developmental program designed to create exposure opportunities in football for European prep athletes. He participated in the 2023 Under Armour All-American Game, joining Finnish offensive lineman Olaus Alinen as the showcase's only international representatives.

He comes to UTEP with all four years of eligibility remaining, and will join a talented linebacker room full of high-ceiling transfers. Earlier in the offseason, the Miners added Florida State transfer Dylan Brown-Turner, Gardner-Webb transfer Tray Dunson, Tulsa transfer Dorian Hopkins and Middle Tennessee transfer Jalen Rayam to the group.

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