ODESSA, TX - In recent years the transfer portal has become a tool used by coaches to make an immediate impact on their roster and this year's incoming transfer class has the UT Permian Basin football team poised for a big season under first-year head coach Kris McCullough.  This year's class, comprised of over 20 new Falcons, was ranked the best in Division II by Athlinkd.
 
"There's a lot of D2 powerhouses and playoff teams on that list.  That speaks volumes about the work our staff has done and the relationships they've built," said McCullough.
 
Six of the newest Falcons followed him from East Central where the Tigers finished 9-3 and defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville in the Fun Town RV Heritage Bowl.  One face from the Tigers that Falcon fans will have to get used to is quarterback Kenny Hrnciar, who has started 36 games under McCullough and his system.  Last season he threw for 2,556 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for another 306 yards and four scores.
 
"He knows all my lingo," said McCullough.  "He knows things that I'm going to say before I say it.  He's done a phenomenal job for me here and already been named a team captain.  Kenny is someone that knows the system and what I expect."
 
McCullough's offense will look very similar to his at ECU, also bringing along the team's leading rusher, leading receiver, and three offensive lineman.  On the ground Nemier Herod ran for 960 yards and 10 touchdowns, while all-conference receiver La'Quan Wells had 514 yards and five touchdowns.  A familiar face will also rejoin the Falcons in Jeremiah Cooley, who finds his way back to Odessa to help replace Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year MJ Link.
 
"Early on I wanted to focus on offense and get the offense where it needed to be," said McCullough.  "Offensively it is a different scheme completely and my goal is 200 yards on the ground and through the air.   The quarterback's job is just to execute the offense and put us in the best position to win the game and I felt like we have a special offense."
 
Another area of major improvement the Falcons feel is the offensive line which, according to McCullough, is the deepest group he's ever seen.  Leading that group is Max Johnson, who is part of the group coming from East Central.
 
"We need to be physical up front in order to do what I want to be able to do offensively, and this might be the most physical, deepest group I've ever had," McCullough said.
 
It helps in recruiting when you have a facility such as the D. Kirk Edwards Family Human Performance Center or as McCullough calls it, "The Palace."  The facility, which opened in the fall of 2020, remains one of the preeminent facilities in all of Division II athletics.  That along with a tour of campus goes a long way towards recruiting according to the new head coach.
 
"You come into Midland-Odessa, the drive is through flatlands, but once you get here it feels like a bigger city," he said.  "When they come on campus, see the university, walk into the palace and see the amenities inside, they fall in love with it.  I'd take it over anybody in Division II and some FCS schools.  It gives us a huge advantage and gets me excited about the future of other buildings on campus." 
 
Number one in the nation is no easy task and it puts the spotlight on a new staff immediately.  Competition in the Lone Star Conference is always top notch, but the Falcons, the only team in the LSC ranked in the top 25, believe they are up to the task and ready to ascend to the national stage.
 
"It's going to put a target on our backs from year one, but I took this job to compete nationally each year," said McCullough.  "This shows that we can compete with anyone.  We have the talent, we have the facilities, we have the university support, and guys recognize that.  I think the future is bright for UT Permian Basin in not just football, but other sports as well."