Ex-Fresno State quarterback Zack Greenlee was presented by the UTEP football program officially on Monday, June 6. Greenlee will join the quarterback core as a graduate transfer with two years of remaining eligibility.

Greenlee announced in mid April that he was going to transfer to UTEP. When he tweeted, “Very blessed to say I will be transferring to UTEP at the end of the semester,” along with photos from an apparent visit to the program.

“I got to attack this summer and get ready,” Greenlee said. “I took my visit at an odd time so I didn’t meet too many, but I made a few friends with the different receivers — Aaron Jones, my host, and I moved in with Jacquan White.”

Adding much talk to the already storied Miners quarterback chart, Greenlee brings to the table experience and expertise. He played in 10 games for the Bulldogs, five of them as a starter during the 2015 season. Throughout seven games in the 2015 season, the 6-foot-2 gunslinger threw for 886 total yards and 13 touchdowns. Greenlee completed 47 percent of his 156 passing attempts last fall as well.

“After this past season, I talked to my parents and we felt it was the best decision (to transfer),” he said. “I’ve had some of the best times at Fresno, but we felt it was time to move on. (The) Offensive coordinator was fired and a coaching change led to the decision.”

Greenlee, who was a former Elite 11, top-150 and four-star ESPN prospect out of high school, has only known California football his whole life. He came out of Stockton, Calif., and with his two years of collegiate eligibility, he can play as soon as the fall.

“Taking the visit—I talked to some of the coaches before the visit and getting out here; after meeting some of the guys and the feeling of meeting the coaches helped with my decision,” Greenlee said. “I committed on my visit and I’ve been excited to get here ever since.”

What is impressive about Greenlee is his ability to stay poised in the pocket, and also dance outside the pocket if necessary. He brings speed and versatility to the forefront.

After the spring football game, Kugler reopened the starting quarterback battle since there was not a quarterback who showed a distinct separation. During the spring game, quarterbacks Kavika Johnson and Ryan Metz combined for 85 yards and both finished with a completion percentage under 50 percent.

Leftwich, who played in seven games last season, has already been ruled out for the 2016 season due to a shoulder injury.

This means that Greenlee can still win the starting quarterback position.

“At the college football level, there’s competition everywhere,” Greenlee said. “I’ve been in a (QB) battle the last couple of years and I’m ready to step into another one. I’ve got to attack it this summer, watch a lot of film, be focused, put in extra work and get ready for camp.  Coming in, I’m obviously the new guy, I’ve got to get established, but I’m not an incoming freshman. I have experience, I just have to work hard.”

Along with Greenlee, Metz and Johnson, the Miners will have two more individuals at the quarterback position this fall—JUCO transfer Tevin Muse and Eastwood high school pickup Mark Torres. Muse has two years of eligibility and a redshirt available, while Torres will be a true freshman in the fall if the Miners decide not to redshirt him.

“I got to talk to coach (Brent) Pease and seeing how passionate he is, I think it is great and the program is heading in the right direction,” Greenlee said.

The Miners’ football camp will start Aug. 4.

Adrian Broaddus may be reached at [email protected].