After two seasons at UTEP, Cleveland's Shufelt heads to Missouri State

After two seasons in the Sun City, a former Storm star is headed east once again.

Stratton Shufelt, a 2024 graduate from Cleveland and a Rio Rancho native, has committed to Missouri State University through the transfer portal after two seasons with the University of Texas-El Paso.

“I would like to thank UTEP and the football coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to pursue my goals athletically and academically,” Shufelt wrote in a statement online, announcing his entry into the transfer portal Dec. 11. “I would also like to thank my teammates and the community of El Paso for their support.”

After hitting the portal over a month ago, the recruitment process was off and running for the rising junior linebacker. 

Shufelt gathered offers from schools such as UT Martin, Western Illinois, Northwestern State, Southeast Missouri State and Austin Peay before landing with the Bears.

The former top-ranked prospect in the state of New Mexico helped lead the Storm to two state titles in 2021 and 2022 before heading to UTEP upon graduation in 2024. Shufelt was an instant contributor for the Miners, making the conference all-freshman team before being elected a team captain in his sophomore campaign.

“My time at UTEP has given me great memories, strong relationships, and opportunities to grow on and off the field,” Shufelt wrote. “I am truly grateful. I am ready for the next chapter and excited to find the best place to continue developing as a person and athlete.”

Playing for his father’s alma mater, where he also played linebacker, Shufelt tallied 33 career tackles in 22 career games. But now, halfway through his college journey, the New Mexico kid will trade in his orange and blue for maroon and white.

Shufelt closed his recruitment on Jan. 12 before announcing his commitment to the Bears on Wednesday morning.

Missouri State is coming off a 7-6 season in 2025, ending in a bowl loss to Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl. One of those wins was against Shufelt and the Miners, both being members of Conference USA.

A rematch with Shufelt on a new sideline would have been in the cards, but UTEP is set to leave the conference for the Mountain West in 2026.

While it may not be in El Paso, Shufelt will still get a plateful of Lone Star State action, with his new team set to take on Texas A&M and SMU in nonconference play.