UTEP's Aaron Jones ready for the spotlight

[caption id="attachment_17887" align="alignleft" width="300"]Photo by Mary Scott McNabb Photo by Mary Scott McNabb[/caption] UTEP running back Aaron Jones may be the best running back the state of Texas doesn’t discuss. The Miners are in the middle of a resurgence under head coach Sean Kugler, and Jones is one of the main reasons. As a sophomore in 2014, Jones averaged 5.5 yards a carry and scored 11 touchdowns. He had 1,321 yards rushing and added 30 receptions. Kugler deserves a ton of credit for the turnaround taking place in El Paso. The Miners finished 7-6 in 2014, reaching a bowl game in Kugler’s second season as head coach. It was the first time UTEP had reached a bowl or won over five games since the 2010 season. Kugler’s offensive philosophy is to be physical and run the ball. That works with a talent like Jones carrying so much of the weight. Add in an experienced and physical offensive line and UTEP is set to make noise in C-USA this season. Rice and Louisiana Tech are the easy picks to win the Western Division in C-USA, but UTEP is becoming a sexy pick because of Jones, the offensive line and a front-seven on defense that can get after the quarterback and stop the run. Jones is the key, though. The Miners are still figuring out their quarterback situation, and that puts even more pressure on Jones. He’s shown a heavy workload is something he can handle. Jones nearly reached the 250-carry mark as a sophomore and, if healthy, Jones should eclipse that this season if the quarterbacks can’t be consistent in the passing game. With his versatility as a receiver in the backfield and his ability to take direct snaps, Jones may reach 300 offensive touches as a junior. And for Kugler and UTEP, that is a good thing.