UTEP Football Feature - Praise Amaewhule

Praise Amaewhule

UTEP defensive end, Praise Amaewhule, has become a household name with Miner fans since arriving on campus in 2018, and for good reason. He has helped turned the program into a winner and earned back-to-back All-Conference USA accolades. More than anything else though, he’s terrorized quarterbacks and the consistent effort has him entering this season with a legitimate chance at setting the UTEP career record for sacks.

Amaewhule has compiled 15.5 career sacks, which is fourth on the Miners’ all-time list. Currently, Gonzalo Floyd (1990-91, 93, 20 sacks) tops the charts, followed by Chris Mineo (2002-05, 16.5 sacks) and Herman Whiting (1979-82, 16.0 sacks). Amaewhule is focused on the team’s success, but knows he has the opportunity to make history.

“Definitely aware (of the potential sack record) and it would be a great honor to be among those great guys who have come through the university,” Amaewhule said. “At the end of the day though, all that really matters is to get that win.”

Defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto can offer insight into what makes Amaewhule such an effective pass rusher.

“He’s very talented, he’s got real long arms and is very twitchy,” Peveto said. “He’s very instinctive and he’s really, really worked at being a good pass rusher. I think (associate head coach/defensive run coordinator/defensive line coach) Matt Wallerstedt does a great job of coaching him.”

Amaewhule also understands that individual accomplishments don’t always translate into victories, which is what he strives for more than anything else.

“Individual accolades look nice and all, but all I really care about is us as a team getting that win,” Amaewhule said. “You can have six sacks, four tackles for loss and a fumble recovery and still lose a game. Winning at the end of the day as a team feels a lot better than individual stats.”

He had three sacks in 2019, seven in 2020 and five and a half in 2021 and has an interesting perspective on how it feels to register a sack.

“To get a sack feels amazing,” Amaewhule said. “It’s definitely glorious to be back there and the quarterback having no idea you’re there. It’s like seeing a bug that’s on the wall and he doesn’t know you see him and bam!”

His continual ascent at UTEP, going from C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2019 to Second-Team All C-USA honors in 2020 and First- Team accolades in 2021 has put him in position to be one of the squad’s leaders, a role which he is embracing.

“It’s pretty good (to be a tone setter),” Amaewhule said. “Having that role given to you by your peers, people you call teammates and brothers. I just give it all I have on and off the field. You have to represent the brand anywhere you go whether that’s a restaurant or a gas station. I have to be a good leader.”

Amaewhule has been more intentional about stepping into that leadership role and knows it extends beyond the field.

“As a leader, I’m being more vocal and consistent with what I do on and off the field,” Amaewhule said. “I’ve got a lot of guys watching me, coaches as well and even people in the community. My communication has also improved.”

Peveto agrees that Amaewhule has matured as a leader. “I think he’s really grown in that role,” Peveto said. “He’s really a verbal guy. He’s a good player and the guys respect him. He’s a selfless guy, and he does a great job of leading by example.”

Amaewhule has played alongside other members of the defensive line for three years, something he credits for his success. “I feel like our defensive line being together three years and building that brotherhood on and off the field has definitely helped our game chemistry wise,” Amaewhule said. “We just play off each other and it makes us hard to deal with.”

The Miners head into 2022 with optimism after a seven-win season and bowl appearance a year ago, things that Amaewhule believes can be building blocks moving forward.

“From last year we want to just keep getting better,” Amaewhule said. “We’ve set the standard for what the program should be like, and we have to keep building off that each and every game. We’re trying to go 1-0 each week.”

With the individual and team success during his career, Amaewhule still fondly remembers what it was like when things were in the building process under head coach Dana Dimel.

“My best memory is the first win (in 2018) after the team went 0-12 the season before,” Amaewhule said. “Just seeing those guys who stayed here after going 0-12 work hard each and every day despite the record and seeing them get the win meant a lot. It’s all about perseverance, being a hard worker and not being a quitter. When life gives you lemons, you’ve got to squeeze those lemons and make some lemonade.”