UTEP senior Nik Needham is on NFL scouts' radar as he sets a team record and inspires his teammates. Bret Bloomquist/El Paso Times
As UTEP football attempts to rebuild its program, the Miners are often forced to use players younger and less experienced than the opponents across from them.
But that only magnifies the value of veteran leaders on the team. The lessons imparted by a senior like Nik Needham are invaluable.
Lesson No. 1 for the youngsters: Four years ago, Needham was there. He was a redshirt freshman, defending senior receivers, with little choice but to learn how to swim in the deep waters of FBS football.