Don't look now... but UTEP's building itself quite a secondary.

The Miners are on the board yet again with their fifth verbal commit in the span of the week, and their 22nd total pledge of the 2025 class. This time, it's three-star Amarillo Texas) Tascosa defensive back TJ Tillman that has joined the fold, as UTEP continues to rake in some of West Texas' premier talent.

The 6-foot, 170-pound Tillman had previously been committed to Texas Tech, but backed off his pledge over the summer. The Red Raiders' loss is the Miners' gain, as Tillman now becomes the fifth three-star pickup of the cycle for Scotty Walden and his staff.

“It was really a mixture of my parents feeling comfortable sending me there, and the family atmosphere," Tillman told MinerInsider in an exclusive interview. "We had a playoff game down there, and we got to walk around. And it just felt like home. And [the chance to play] early — getting on the field early."

Tillman added that ever since he decommitted from Tech, he'd been made a daily priority by the UTEP staff.

“It was a constant pursuit. I heard from one of them every day for months — ever since they offered, really. So I could tell they really wanted me to be a part of their program, so… love who loves you. Just being there these past couple weeks, I loved it. It’s a home atmosphere. Everybody in the city really rides around the football team, so it’s a great support system, and I love it. They were fired up [when I committed]. They were fired up over the phone. The whole staff was in the room.”