By Jim Irish
Bastrop quarterback Seth Mouser received a full-scholarship offer from Division I University of Texas at El Paso during spring training in May.
Barrick Nealy, UTEP’s running back coach and recruiting coordinator, was impressed with Mouser’s 6-foot-6 frame and the ability to throw almost 70 yards during a workout. Mouser said Nealy hesitated to leave after Mouser’s workout.
"I felt the love. I'm super excited."
-- Seth Mouser after signing with UTEP
UTEP remained in weekly contact with Mouser through the course of the football season. Because of the regular communication, Mouser signed a national letter of intent with the Miners at Bastrop High School on Wednesday — the early signing date.
“I felt the love,” Mouser said. “I’m super excited.”
Houston and Dartmouth showed early interest but never followed through, Mouser said.
Last season, Mouser was the leading quarterback in Central Texas with 2,607 passing yards. He completed 52% (170-of-330) passes with 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He also displayed his 4.7 speed in the 40, rushing 212 yards (5.2 avg.) and scoring five touchdowns on the ground.
He was selected to the All-District 13-5A first team. In addition, he graduated this month with a 4.0 grade point average and a rank of No. 26 in his senior class.
Mouser took an official visit to UTEP on Nov. 19. He witnessed UTEP’s 40-6 victory over Florida International University in a Conference USA contest.
The Miners finished conference 3-5 (5-7 overall). The previous season, they were 7-6 and lost in the Mobile New Mexico Bowl to Fresno State 31-24.
Mouser was among 17 athletes and only two high school seniors inked by UTEP on early signing day.
UTEP informed Mouser that it plans to redshirt him his freshman season.
“I’ll use the season to learn the offensive system and get bigger, stronger, and faster,” Mouser said.
Mouser currently weighs 200 pounds but would like to be between 220 and 225 when he plays.
Todd Patmon, former Bastrop head coach, worked with Mouser during his sophomore and junior seasons.
“I’m happy for Seth and his family,” said Patmon, the current defensive coordinator at Del Valle. “I knew early on that he had the tools to be a Division I quarterback. Like most freshman quarterbacks, he will have to adjust to the speed of college defenses.”
Mouser said he would learn in the next few days if he will start the academic year at UTEP in January or wait until next August.
Jim Irish is a freelance writer living in Bastrop, Texas