By james art 
North Florida Christian’s JP Pickles is in talks to sign with UTEP football
North Florida Christian’s JP Pickles is in talks to sign with UTEP football
So much can happen in a month in college football.
Just ask JP Pickles.
Less than a month ago, the former North Florida Christian star quarterback and true freshman at the University of Texas at El Paso was fourth in a row.
On Saturday against visiting Middle Tennessee State (3-6), Pickles made his first career start for the UTEP Miners (1-8).
“I’m pumped,” Pickles told the El Paso Times earlier this week.
“We have a great opportunity ahead of us and I’m excited to see what this team does. We always have to be ready, you never know when your name will be called.”
Former NFC star JP Pickles played well in first college start for UTEP
It wasn’t a storybook ending, but Pickles played well in a 20-13 Conference USA loss in El Paso, Texas.
The athletic quarterback completed 18 of 33 passes for 145 yards with an interception. He also rushed 17 times for 77 yards and a touchdown on a 17-yard scamper that put UTEP ahead 10-3 in the second quarter.
Trailing by a touchdown with 1:54 left in the game, Pickles drove the Miners 56 yards in 10 plays to the MTSU 19.
Two seconds before the end, however, his attempted pass near the goal line was blocked.
Pickles saw his first collegiate action against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 22 when UTEP starting quarterback Skyler Locklear was injured on a scrimmage call.
Pickles finished with 53 rushing yards and was 2 of 5 passing in the 14-10 loss.
Cade McConnell opened the season as UTEP’s starter, but was lost for the season after wrist surgery.
Locklear pitched but was in concussion protocol this week. Pickles, who has been credited with strong workouts the past two weeks, and fellow true freshman Shay Smith have seen their numbers increase.
UTEP coach Scott Walden told the El Paso Times Pickles is “a great leader.”
He pointed to a moment in training last week when the striker did not make a proper foul before leaving the pitch. Pickles called players back to get it right, according to the paper.
Pickles, who enrolled last January at UTEP, threw for 9,513 yards in the NFC while rushing for 2,037 as a three-year starter for the Eagles.