Tomball, Texas, native Harry Smith was determined to get some last-minute chores out of his 18-year-old son Friday afternoon before turning him over to the UTEP football program for the next four years.

"He's outside, mowing the lawn," Smith said of his son, Matt. "I've got to get one more grass-cutting out of him before he goes."

Matt Smith, a kicker/punter out of Tomball High, is one of 25 Miner freshman football recruits reporting to the UTEP campus this weekend for a new set of duties. The list of newcomers includes 20 Texans, four of them El Pasoans, four Californians, a Floridian and an additional 10 walk-ons.

Steve Douglas, a linebacker/strong safety candidate from Anaheim, Calif., said the longest he's ever been away from home in his life is two weeks.

"Yeah, I'm a little nervous," Douglas admitted. "I've been told all kinds of things about Texas football, but I really don't know what to expect."

Edgy players aren't the only problem. Parents tend to get a little jittery as well.

"I think he's ready for it," said Douglas' mother, Callye. "But I'm a little worried about whether I've taught him enough about how to cook and do his laundry. Steven is our oldest, the first one to leave. We're coming down there with him this weekend because we want to check out the housing."

Douglas is one of many recruits who will be the first to reside in UTEP's brand-new $15 million apartment-style dorm complex off Oregon Street. With more than $2 million in Sun Bowl improvements, including new grass-like turf, and construction of the state of the art $11 million Larry K. Durham Sports Center on schedule, UTEP's newest set of recruits will be the first to experience a much different program from start to finish.

"The conditions are sure a lot different than when I reported here four years ago," UTEP senior running back Chris Porter said. "These guys have a lot more to work with today."

Porter said while preseason two-a-day practices tend to be tough on freshmen, the way players are welcomed into the program by veterans has also changed.

"We don't give them a hard time or anything like that anymore," Porter said. "What you really want to do is incorporate them into the UTEP family."

Also different is the lack of pressure for freshmen to produce immediately, leaving the majority headed for an immediate redshirt. Twelve starters return from last year's 8-4 defending Western Athletic Conference co-championship team. The only apparent holes are at kicker and punter, where Smith, Chino Hills, Calif., native Bryce Benekos and Odessa Permian walk-on Thomas Howard are expected to compete.

"Everywhere else, it will be awful tough for a freshmen to come in and play right away," UTEP second-year coach Gary Nord said.

FRESHMEN SCHEDULE

Today: Arrival dinner at Student Union.

Monday: Campus tour, orientation.

Tuesday: Placement testing.

Wednesday: Registration, physicals.

Thursday: 9:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. practices.

Friday: 9:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. practices.

Saturday: Off.

Sunday: Media day, depart for Socorro two-a-day camp (starts Aug. 13).

UTEP FRESHMEN

The 25 Miner freshmen football players who are expected to report to campus this weekend (an additional 10 freshmen walk-ons are also expected):

Matt Austin, RB, 6-0, 185, El Paso (Parkland).

Bryce Benekos, K/P, 6-5, 195, Chino Hills, Calif.

Cedric Click, RB, 5-10, 180, Pomona, Calif.

Josh Daughtry, LB, 6-1, 210, El Paso (Montwood).

Alex DiMatteo, OL, 6-3, 260, El Paso (Franklin).

Steve Douglas, LB, 6-1, 190, Anaheim, Calif.

Tevita Fifita, LB, 6-1, 235, Kissimmee, Fla.

Chris Francies, WR, 6-1, 185, Houston.

Jose Garcia, OL, 6-3, 300, San Antonio.

Dustin Gilmore, TE, 6-4, 230, McKinney, Texas.

Aaron Givens, WR, 6-2, 180, Sulphur Springs, Texas.

J.D. Hearn, LB, 6-1, 210, Mesquite, Texas.

Howard Jackson, WR/KR, 5-10, 160, Richwood, Texas.

Brandon Johnson, DL, 6-3, 225, Garland, Texas.

Cody Mayhew, TE, 6-4, 240, Boyd, Texas.

Chris Mineo, DL, 6-2, 260, Odessa.

David Mirazo, OL, 6-3, 275, El Paso (Austin).

Marshall Sanford, DB, 6-1, 180, Lake Jackson, Texas.

Jimmy Smith, LB, 5-11, 215, Midland.

Matt Smith, K/P, 5-10, 185, Tomball, Texas.

Che Still, WR, 6-4, 200, Riverside, Calif.

Brady Vavala, DL, 6-2, 200, San Antonio.

Donald White, OL, 6-2, 280, Brookshire, Texas.

Brandon Yaites, DB, 5-10, 175, Irving, Texas.

Shawn Young, DL, 6-2, 225, Houston.