One of El Paso’s most dynamic high school football players is staying home to play for UTEP.
Riverside High School star quarterback Carlos Rojas III announced Monday, June 22, that he has verbally committed to play for the Miners. Rojas III will be a senior in 2026 and has been on the varsity team at Riverside since he was a freshman.
Rojas III has been on UTEP’s recruiting radar since he was offered a scholarshjp as a high school freshman.
UTEP coaches cannot comment on Rojas II until he signs with the school in December 2026 or February 2027.
“I’m happy, I’m excited,” Rojas III said. “UTEP offered me as a freshman and I’ve developed a great relationship with head coach Scotty Walden and the staff. I want to help UTEP do great things. Nothing has ever been given to me, I’ve had to work hard for everything.”
Rojas III, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 180 pounds, will play receiver in college. For Riverside, he has played both quarterback and receiver and has excelled.
In 2025, he rushed for 2,279 yards and passed for 1,516 yards. In 2024, he passed for 1,247 yards and rushed for 1,734 yards. In 2023 as a freshman, he had 930 yards receiving and 165 yards rushing.
“Carlos is a great kid and I’m happy for him and his family,” Riverside HS coach Daniel Chavez said. “Carlos will do great things at UTEP. He is a great receiver and he showed that at the UTEP camp on Saturday. He’s played a lot of quarterback for us and shown his versatility.”
Rojas also is a standout basketball and baseball player for the Rangers, who compete in Class 4A.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on x
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso’s Riverside HS football player Carlos Rojas III commits to UTEP
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
