Cleveland's Stratton Shufelt Transfers from UTEP to Missouri State

Stratton Shufelt, a 2024 Cleveland High graduate from Rio Rancho, has committed to Missouri State University after two seasons at the University of Texas-El Paso. The rising junior linebacker entered the NCAA transfer portal Dec. 11 and announced his decision Jan. 21, 2026, electing to continue his college career with the MSU Bears.

Shufelt arrived at UTEP following a decorated high school career at Cleveland, where he was the state’s top-ranked prospect and helped lead the Storm to state championships in 2021 and 2022. At UTEP, Shufelt became an immediate contributor, earning conference all-freshman team honors as a true freshman and being elected a team captain during his sophomore campaign. Those credentials and his leadership role drew multiple offers during the transfer process, including from UT Martin, Western Illinois, Northwestern State, Southeast Missouri State and Austin Peay, before Shufelt chose Missouri State.

“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 his online statement announcing his entry into the transfer portal. “I would also like to thank my teammates and the community of El Paso for their support.” In a follow-up message reflecting on his time at UTEP, Shufelt added, “My time at UTEP has given me great memories, strong relationships, and opportunities to grow on and off the field. 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.”

For Sandoval County and Rio Rancho, Shufelt’s move keeps a locally developed talent visible on a regional stage. Cleveland High’s recent run of team success and its track record for producing collegiate players receives a recruiting boost when alumni like Shufelt move into prominent roles off-site. High school athletes and families tracking pathways to Division I and FCS-level play can point to Shufelt’s trajectory, from top state prospect to conference all-freshman selection and team captain, as a concrete example of progression.

Beyond local pride, transfers such as Shufelt’s affect recruiting calculus for nearby programs and the visibility of Rio Rancho’s football pipeline. Coaches and scouts pay attention when a player with captaincy experience and early collegiate honors is available on the market; Missouri State’s addition of Shufelt reflects that dynamic. Shufelt’s decision also underscores the mobility of modern college athletes and the importance of fit and development opportunities in transfer choices.

Shufelt now heads to Missouri State as he prepares for his junior season, and his progress will be a point of interest for Cleveland supporters tracking how a homegrown linebacker adapts to a new roster and system. For local readers, the immediate takeaway is continuity: a Rio Rancho product continues to climb the collegiate ranks, and his path offers a tangible roadmap for the next generation of Storm players.