An open secret at UTEP football camp during the month of August is that returning linebacker Breon Hayward was not participating in team activities over questions of remaining eligibility. The Cypress Ridge product was hoping for an extra year of eligibility for the 2022 season, but as of yet, the NCAA has not granted that to UTEP's leading tackler in 2021. The Miners start their 2022 season early with a Week 0 matchup at home against Conference USA foe North Texas. UTEP went 7-5 in 2021 and reached its first bowl game since 2014. 

Hayward broke out as a linebacker in C-USA as a redshirt senior in 2021, ending the year as second-team All-CUSA after recording a team-high 108 tackles. He also contributed 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, four quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery. He was the leader of the second unit for a defense that only allowed 25.23 points per game and 3.9 yards per rush. He became the first UTEP player with more than 100 tackles in three years and recorded at least 10 tackles in 10 of UTEP’s 13 games.