Juwan Sumpter joins brothers at Western New Mexico Univ.

Although only one of them is playing this year, the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) football team now has three Sumpter brothers. T.J. Sumpter went to WNMU after graduating from Fallbrook High School in 2008, Marquis Sumpter followed his 2009 Fallbrook High School graduation by attending WNMU, and Juwan Sumpter signed a letter of intent to play for the Mustangs shortly before his 2011 graduation.

œThey gave me a chance to be at a school where they had my brothers and I could play alongside them, Juwan Sumpter said.

œThey have a great program, Sumpter said. œI think that school will help me evolve a lot.

Sumpter was a cornerback for all four of his Fallbrook High School years. He spent ninth grade on the freshman team and was on the junior varsity squad for two years before making the varsity as a senior.

œHe's just a young guy who's got to spend time in the weight room and get bigger, said WNMU coach Adam Clark.

Sumpter also ran track and field for the Warriors; he was on the junior varsity for two years and on the varsity for two years. Sumpter ran the 400-yard race, the 200-yard dash, and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. He did not play any winter sports.

The Sumpter family moved to Fallbrook in January 2007. Sumpter was born in Oceanside; his mother is an El Camino High School graduate and his father was raised in Cleveland before the Marine Corps brought him to San Diego County. Sumpter attended Savannah Middle School in Murrieta for sixth grade and seventh grade while splitting eighth grade between Temecula Middle School and Potter Junior High School.

Sumpter signed his letter of intent with WNMU this spring. He had also been considering Eastern New Mexico University and Colorado State-Pueblo but desired to play for the Mustangs if the opportunity occurred. WNMU is located in Silver City.

Marquis Sumpter is currently one of the Mustangs' starting receivers. T.J. Sumpter is focusing on academics this year but plans to play in 2012, so all three Sumpter brothers are expected to play for WNMU next year. The fourth Sumpter brother, Caleb, is attending Baylor University and is contemplating joining the track and field team and possibly also Baylor's football team as a (non-scholarship) walk-on.

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