Quardraiz Wadley and Darta Lee Receive Rookie Mini Camp Invites

The NFL Draft ended Saturday, but the dream to play professional football is still very much alive for a pair of former UTEP Miners. Quardraiz Wadley and Darta Lee have both received invitations to NFL Rookie Mini Camps. Wadley will be with the Miami Dolphins while Lee gets his opportunity with the Houston Texans.

Wadley arrived in El Paso in 2016 and he played in 10 games as a true freshman. However, he missed most of the 2017 and 2020 seasons and all of 2019 due to injuries. His biggest game last season was against New Mexico State, when he rushed for 51 yards. Wadley also totaled 40 yards rushing and touchdown against UAB last November. His best season as a Miner was in 2018 when he totaled 627 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games played. If Wadley is able to stick with the Dolphins, he will reunite with former UTEP teammate Nik Needham.

Lee arrived at UTEP in 2018 from Kilgore College. He redshirted his first season with Miners because he suffered a season ending injury after just two games. Lee spent his last three seasons anchoring the left tackle position for UTEP and he, along with Wadley played in the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl in Orlando. Now he will get an opportunity to impress the Texans at Rookie Mini Camp and get an invite to their fall training camp.

Four more former Miners are hoping for similar NFL opportunities. Wide receiver Justin Garrett, offensive lineman Bobby DeHaro, cornerback Walter Neil Jr., and safety Dy’vonne Inyang are all exploring their options following the draft.