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Current time in Las Vegas 7:55 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2008 |
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UNLV CLASS DOMINATED BY FRESHMEN
LAS VEGAS - UNLV's fourth football recruiting class under head coach Mike Sanford was announced on the initial day of the national signing period Wednesday with 22 student-athletes making up the list of future Rebels. A stunning 21 played in high school last season, which translates into the highest such percentage of a class (95 percent freshmen) in program history. "We have evolved into recruiting nearly all high school football players," Sanford said. "When our staff first got here, we had to replace a large number of players who were leaving so we needed to get some four-year transfers and more JC players right away. It's very important to recruit high school players and that has become our main thrust. We look for character, attitude, toughness, football intelligence and players from winning programs. We feel that recruiting high school players is the best opportunity for us to get those kinds of student-athletes." The group boasts nine players that earned PrepStar All-Region honors in 2007, which ties the 2005 class for the most ever at UNLV. For the second consecutive year UNLV's class consists of student-athletes whose hometowns are spread among just five states - all located west of the Mississippi: nine from California, four each from high-school hotbed Texas and Arizona, three from Nevada and two out of Hawaii. "Not only have we continued to heavily recruit California but we've also done very well in Arizona and Texas," Sanford said. "We put two coaches in both states and a combination of that stronger presence, good evaluation and the close proximity to Las Vegas helped us. For families, it's an easy flight here from Texas and not much of a drive from Arizona. Recruiting locally has also been a focus of ours and it's very important to us that we signed three guys from Southern Nevada." The recruits list, which does not include two grayshirts who signed a year ago but joined the program this semester as true freshmen, features just one junior-college player, LB Heivaha Mafi, who signed during December's early period and is currently enrolled at UNLV. He and the grayshirts, Nate Carter and Yusef Rodgers, are set to take part in spring practice from March 10-April 18. Unlike a year ago, the class leans toward the offense with 12 players hailing from that side of the ball. Eight signees play defense while two players are listed as an Athlete. Linemen are the most represented areas on both sides of the ball with five each. The full breakdown is as follows: 5 OL, 5 DL, 3 WR, 2 LB, 2 RB, 2 ATH, 1 QB, 1 DB and 1 TE. "Our staff felt going in that we needed to recruit defensive linemen and we filled that need. We wanted to sign a dynamic break-away runner and feel like we got two. We wanted to get guys to help us in our return game and we got those along with players that are going to have a chance to compete right away at linebacker." A complete list of UNLV's 2008 football signees follows. UNLV 2008 FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS
2007 MID-YEAR SIGNEE
The program's only mid-year signee, he enrolled in January and will compete in spring practice with the Rebels...A big, physical LB who will look to earn immediate playing time on defense this season...Comes to UNLV from Laney College in Oakland where he was a teammate of Rebel running back Frank "The Tank" Summers in fall of 2006...Helped the Eagles to two postseason bowl-game victories and a 10-1 record as a sophomore...A 2006 graduate of San Lorenzo (CA) High School...A three-year letterman for coach Jacob Wright...Played LB and DL for the Rebels...Also recruited by Kansas State, among others ... Heivaha Mafi (pronounced HEY-ah-VAH-ha MAH-fee) was born on May 11, 1988, in Oakland, CA. SANFORD ON MAFI: "Heivaha Mafi is a high-energy, highly enthusiastic guy with a fast motor. He fits the defensive end position that we are going to use, which is a combo end/outside linebacker spot. At one point he committed to Kansas State but he's enrolled at UNLV right now and ready to compete in spring ball."
2008 SIGNEES
An aggressive pass rusher who possesses a great ability to get to the quarterback...One of four UNLV signees from Arizona...Prepped at the same high school as fellow Rebel signee Robert Rowe...Lettered three years for the Tigers of Marana HS for coach Willie Dudley...Named a first team All-4A Sonoran Region player and second team All-Southern Arizona selection...Paced his team with eight sacks...Had 13 pass deflections and 45 total tackles...Helped the Tigers to a 7-4 overall record and a second-straight trip to the Class 4A-I state playoffs...Also played baseball, lettering one year as a first baseman...Picked UNLV over Colorado State...Jesse Backerman was born Nov. 29, 1990. SANFORD ON BACKERMAN: "Jesse Backerman is a very solid defensive end that we think is going to really blossom into a rush guy when he gets here."
A fast but powerful linebacker who could see immediate playing time for the Rebels this fall...Ranked the No. 16 middle linebacker recruit in the nation by Scout and No. 55 ILB by ESPN Insider...One of four UNLV signees from the Grand Canyon State this year...A PrepStar West Coast All-Region honoree from McClintock HS...Starred for three years as a big-hitter on both sides of the ball for coach Steve Campbell and then coach Mike Gibbons...Named all-region all three seasons, all-city the last two seasons and to the Arizona Republic's All-Arizona High School Football Team as a senior...Ranked the state's No. 1 LB heading into senior campaign during which he registered 146 total tackles, including two 20-takedown nights to go with 4.5 QB sacks...Also lined up at FB for the Chargers and rushed for 125 yards on 26 carries in 2007...As a junior finished with 120 tackles and 106 yards rushing...Had 132 tackles as a sophomore...Has squatted over 475 pounds and power-cleaned more then 320...Chose the Rebels over San Diego State and Army...David Blair was born on April 17, 1990, in Chandler, AZ. SANFORD ON BLAIR: "David Blair is a tremendous addition to our football program and it's great to get a player from a historically successful program like McClintock High School down in Tempe. He's a tough, physical inside linebacker who played fullback as well, so he obviously likes to hit. He should come in here with a chance to play right away."
A strong defensive player who projects as a rush lineman for the Rebels...Is part of a group of four signees from the Lone Star State...Lettered two years as a defensive end for Plano Senior HS...Coached by his father, Gerald Brence...Helped the Wildcats to a 13-2 record his senior year as the team advanced to the 5A state semifinals, losing in double overtime...Named first team all-district and second team all-county as a senior...Finished 2007 with 67 tackles, 18 TFL and nine sacks...Chose the Rebels over Army...Older brother Ryan played safety at Army...Beau Brence was born on March 14, 1990. SANFORD ON BRENCE: "Beau Brence is a big, athletic defensive end from a very good program in Texas. He helps fill a big need for us at end and will compete to play as a freshman."
A good-sized wideout who will add some height to the Rebel receiving corps...A PrepStar West Coast All-Region honoree and four-year starter for San Jacinto HS for coach Bill Powell...Hails from the same prep program that produced former Rebel place kicker Sergio Aguayo (2004-07)...Named to the All-Southern California East Valley Division team as well as All-Mountain Pass League in 2007 after posting 37 receptions for 656 yards and seven TDs...On defense he contributed 46 total tackles and eight interceptions...The Tigers went 11-3 and lost in the CIF title game last fall...As a junior he had 66 receptions for 876 yards and 11 touchdowns...Also runs on the track and field team. SANFORD ON COOPER: "Gordy Cooper is a tall, rangy, physical wide receiver that has the opportunity to be an inside or outside guy and could compete as a freshman."
A talented two-way player who will begin his collegiate career in the Rebel backfield...Ranked as the No. 76 safety prospect in the nation by Scout...Prepped at North Garland HS in the football hotbed of Texas...One of four recruits from the Lone Star State to ink with the Rebels...Hails from the same city as current UNLV DB Michael Johnson...Lettered three years for the Raiders...Rushed for 450 yards and four TDs and recorded 70 tackles and forced two fumbles as a safety his senior season...Made 81 tackles, picked off two passes and forced three fumbles as a junior...Earned defensive all-district honors as a junior and senior...Chanton Jerrard "C.J." Cox was born on July 8, 1990. SANFORD ON COX: "C.J. Cox is a dynamic running back from Texas that has the chance to be a homerun hitter every time he touches the ball. He was being recruited by Big 12 and Big Ten schools as a safety but wants to play running back and we're going to give him that opportunity."
A good-sized offensive line prospect who was ranked the No. 111 OG recruit in the nation by Scout...A PrepStar West Coast All-Region honoree from Del Oro HS under coach Casey Taylor...Lettered two years...Helped the Golden Eagles to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the section championship game in 2007...Team went 10-2 and advanced to the second round of the playoff during his junior season...Named the Sierra Foothill League Lineman of the Year on his way to first team All-Foothill, All-Metro and All-Norcal honors...Played in the KCRA 3 Holiday Classic All-Star game as a member of the North against fellow Rebel recruit Gerome Surell, who played for the South ...Added 30 tackles as a senior while playing along the defensive line...Chose the Rebels over UC-Davis and Air Force...His brother, Brian Heath, plays tight end and is a long-snapper at Sacramento State...Jason Nathaniel Heath was born on Jan. 15, 1990. SANFORD ON HEATH: "Jason Heath is a physical, tough, hard-nosed offensive lineman who will also have a chance to compete for time as a freshman. It's great to get a guy out of the Sacramento area."
A speedy and explosive high school quarterback and defensive back who could end up on either side of the ball and as a return man for the Rebels...Lettered three seasons at Rodriguez HS for coach David Fishleigh...Helped the Mustangs to an 11-2 record and sectional championship as a senior...Named first team all-league on both sides of the line during junior and senior seasons...Threw for 1,257 yards, 15 TDs and only two interceptions while running for 775 yards and another three scores as a senior...Defensively, finished with 36 tackles and four interceptions last fall...Averaged 28.3 yards on eight punt returns and 28.9 on eight kickoffs...Also lettered three years in basketball as a guard and baseball as a P/CF...Also recruited by Fresno State and Nevada, Reno...Michael Johnson was born on April 14, 1990, in Oakland, CA. SANFORD ON JOHNSON: "Michael Johnson is a dynamic player with the football in his hands and really makes things happen on the field. He will also compete right away to be our return man on both kickoffs and punts."
The only signee listed as a quarterback in the class is not only a local player but also a Rebel football legacy...A PrepStar West Coast All-Region honoree who lettered three years for Shadow Ridge HS...Played both ways for the Mustangs and coach Gabe Gledhill...Lined up at QB and LB as a senior and WR and DB as a junior... Threw for 1,111 yards with 15 TDs on offense and totaled 63 tackles and three sacks on defense in 2007...Ranked the No. 9 recruit in Nevada by Scout...Also a member of the SRHS bowling and track teams...His father, the late Kirk Jones, was a star RB for the Randall Cunningham-led 1984 UNLV conference and bowl championship team...Jones still ranks third in school history with 2,656 rushing yards from 1983-86 and went on to appear on three NFL rosters...Chris Jones' mother, the former Cheryl Cheeks, ran track at UNLV and was a member of the three-time All-American 4x100 relay team from 1987-89 ... Christopher Kirk Jones was born on April 24, 1990, in Las Vegas. SANFORD ON JONES: "Chris Jones is an excellent athlete who can both run and throw. He's a great story because both of his parents were star athletes at UNLV. He is a really good player in his own right and is one of the top athletes in the Las Vegas area."
A tall and powerful offensive line prospect...One of two Hawaiians to ink with the Rebels...A two-year letterwinner for head coach David Stant at Kamehameha HS...Helped the Warriors to a 4-4-1 record in 2007...Earned honorable mention All-Interscholastic League as a senior...A member of the First Hawaiian Bank All-Hawaii All-Academic football team...Has lettered twice in track and field, competing in the shot put and discus...Daniel Kaanana (KAH-ah-NAH-nah) was born on Oct. 19, 1990. SANFORD ON KAANANA: "Daniel Kaanana will play at offensive tackle and is really going to be a good player for us. He has a tremendous upside."
A still-growing offensive lineman who played on both sides of the ball in high school...Could play guard or tackle at UNLV...Ranked the No. 101 OG prospect in the nation by Scout...A three-year letterman at Santiago HS for coach Steve Mitchell...Helped the Sharks reach the state finals as senior...Named First Team All-Mountain View and Second Team Press Enterprise All-Riverside County last fall...Also recruited by Colorado State and Army...Jason Michael Allen Wolfgang Koontz was born on March 11, 1990, in Whittier, CA. SANFORD ON KOONTZ: "Jason Koontz is an interior offensive lineman who is very physical, tough and strong. He'll be a good one for us."
A highly decorated gap-filling defensive tackle...Prepped at Menlo-Atherton HS...A captain for the Bears under coach Bob Sykes...Brought down 95 ball carriers, including 90 solo, had 19 sacks and a forced fumble in 2007...Named the San Mateo County Times Defensive Player of the Year and earned first team all-county honors in 2007, as well as second team all-state honors...A two-time All-Central Coast selection as a junior and senior...Helped his team to an 11-1 record as a senior and the squad's first Peninsula Athletic League title since 1992...Name is pronounced lit-TAHN-ee MOY-MOY. SANFORD ON MOIMOI: "We needed to recruit well at the defensive line spot in general and Litani Moimoi is a big part of that. He is an excellent run-stopper in the interior."
A defensive playmaker from Las Vegas who is a future safety for the Rebels...Starred on both sides of the ball for 2007 Nevada state 4A champion Bishop Gorman HS...Ranked the No. 228 WR recruit in the naitoni by ESPN Insider...The first Gael to sign with the Rebels since RB Dyante Perkins in 2001...One of a trio of UNLV signees from the Silver State...Lettered three times for the BGHS for coaches David White (former UNLV TE) and then Bob Altshuler...Named First Team 4A All-State by the Las Vegas Review-Journal as a senior...Squad won the program's first title since 1983 with a 38-17 victory over McQueen HS at Sam Boyd Stadium on Nov. 24...Lined up at SS, FB and punter for the Gaels...Finished with 51 total tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries last fall to go with a blocked punt and field goal...Also scored 14 rushing touchdowns on offense and punted 21 times for a 39.33-yard average...Also lettered in wrestling and track, competing in the high jump, as a prepster...Also recruited by Nevada, Reno...Beau Ryan Orth was born on Nov. 2, 1989. SANFORD ON ORTH: "Beau Orth is an outstanding and versatile football player from the state championship football team of Nevada and we're very excited to get a guy from Bishop Gorman."
A good-sized wide receiver who is one of three players from the Silver State to sign with the Rebels this year...A PrepStar West Coast All-Region honoree that was ranked the No. 3 recruit in Nevada by Scout and the No. 70 WR prospect in the nation by ESPN Insider...Possesses good leaping ability and outstanding hands with a knack for hauling in tough catches...Lettered three years for Western HS...Scored 30 touchdowns in his varsity career for the Warriors...Grabbed 28 balls for 689 yards as a senior as his team finished 8-3...Also played at spot safety for coach Brian Murray...Named first team All-Sunset Region last fall...Also a standout prep basketball player. SANFORD ON PAYNE: "It's always great to get an excellent athlete from Las Vegas such as Phillip Payne. He has an outstanding combination of ball skills and speed, which makes him exactly what we want in a wide receiver."
A quick, athletic high school quarterback who could wind up playing at H-back or WR at UNLV...One of two players listed as an Athlete in this year's Rebel class...A PrepStar West Coast All-Region honoree from Marana HS...Prep teammate of fellow-signee Jesse Backerman...Ranked the No. 116 Athlete prospect in the nation by ESPN Insider...Ranked by Scout as the No. 235 WR recruit in the nation despite not even playing the position...Named to the 2007 Tucson Citizen Arizona Football All-Star 4A/5A Second Team as a utility player...Lettered four years for the Tigers under coach Willie Dudley, including starting the last two seasons under center...Rushed for 1,010 yards (7.59 YPC) and 15 TDs and threw for another 798 and five more scores as a senior...Finished with 1,048 yards (7.49 YPC) and 13 scores on the ground and 1,279 yards and 11 TDs through the air as a junior...Had nine 100-yard rushing games in 2006-07, including a career-high 202 on just 12 carries in a win over Catalina Foothills last September...Lettered two years as a basketball forward and in track and field in the triple-jump, long-jump 100-meters and 4x100 relay...Chose the Rebels over Wyoming and New Mexico State...Robert Rowe was born on Dec. 28, 1989, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. SANFORD ON ROWE: "Robert Rowe is known as the best athlete in the Tucson area and he won the state triple jump championship as a sophomore. He could be a wide receiver or a defensive back for us."
A decorated two-way player from football hotbed Texas...Hails from the same town as former Rebel All-American and NFL standout running back Mike Thomas (1973-74)...Projects as defensive lineman at UNLV and could compete for immediate playing time this fall...Just completed a career as a dominating blocker at Greenville HS...Named the 4A Offensive Player of the Year on the Herald-Banner Football Dream Team...Earned honorable mention to Texas' prestigious AP 4A All-State Team and earned First Team All-District 10 on both offense and defense...Graded out at 88 percent and allowed only one sack for a team that had 288 pass attempts in 2007...Totaled 16 tackles on defense for the Lions...Also a powerlifter as a prepster...First name is pronounced Benny Lee. SANFORD ON SHELBY: "Bennilee Shelby is from a small school in West Texas and is just a dynamite football player. When you see his tape, he just runs and hits hard and is really athletic. He could play inside or outside on the line and will have a chance to compete as a freshman."
A speedy athlete who has game-breaking abilities as both a wide receiver and kick returner...Prepped at Saint Mary's HS in Stockton, Calif....A three-year letterwinner for the Rams under coach Tony Franks...Hauled in 37 receptions for 837 yards and nine TDs and also returned a punt and a kickoff for scores in 2007...As a junior he had 34 receptions for 776 and six scores...Named First team All Tri-City Athletic League, First Team All-San Joaquin Section and second team all-area as a senior...Played in the KCRA 3 Holiday Classic All-Star game as a member of the South against fellow Rebel recruit Jason Heath, who played for the North...Scored three TDs, including a 77-yard kickoff return and a 59-yard punt return that went for scores in a 66-6 over the McNair Eagles...Earned first team all-area and first team all-league as a junior...A CF for the Ram baseball team, he also plans on playing on the diamond for the Rebels...Gerome Cornell Surrell (pronounced sir-REL) was born on July 4, 1990. SANFORD ON SURRELL: "Gerome Surrell is a wide receiver that we have targeted for a long time and offered as a junior. We expect him to compete to play as a freshman and also be involved in kickoff and punt returns."
A talented offensive lineman who was a PrepStar West Coast All-Region honoree...One of two Hawaiians to sign with the Rebels this year...Ranked the No. 56 OG prospect in the nation by ESPN Insider and No. 56 by Scout...A three-year letterwinner at Baldwin HS under coach Jimmy Morimoto, who is now an assistant video coordinator at UNLV...In his three varsity seasons the Bears had a combined record of 30-4-1, with three of those losses coming in state semifinal games...Named a first team Maui Interscholastic League All-Star as a senior...Ranked the 11th-best player in Hawaii by Rivals.com and the 58th-best offensive guard in the country by Scout.com...Also competes in the shot put and discus on the track and field team...Chose the Rebels over Hawaii...Sean Paul Mikioi Tesoro (pronounced tes-SOAR-oh) was born on April 23, 1990. SANFORD ON TESORO: "Sean Tesoro is an interior offensive lineman that we're very excited about. He is an outstanding blocker who will compete to play as a freshman."
A solidly built, Texas-bred runner who could contend for immediate playing time in the Rebel backfield...Lettered two seasons at Cedar Hill HS and coach Joey McGuire...A PrepStar Southwest All-Region honoree...Named second team all-district as a senior after rushing for 699 yards on 137 carries (5.1 YPR), including three for TDs...Ran 15 times for 120 yards in a victory over Duncanville...Team captain helped Longhorns to second round of state playoffs last fall after helping program to undefeated Texas State Championship season as a junior when he ran for 600 yards and four scores in limited action...Also lettered in baseball as an OF and in powerliftng...Also recruited by Air Force, SMU and UCF...Imari Thompson (pronounced ah-MAR-ee) was born on Oct. 6, 1989, in Dallas, TX. SANFORD ON THOMPSON: "Imari Thompson is an exciting running back from one of the top programs in the state of Texas. We expect him to compete for playing time immediately."
A four-year starter in high school who is one of two top linebackers from Arizona to sign with UNLV this year...A small-school standout who comes from a ranching family located on the Arizona/New Mexico border...The program's first commitment of the year could see immediate playing time for the Rebels this fall...Ranked the No. 43 middle linebacker recruit in the nation by Scout and No. 60 ILB by ESPN Insider...A PrepStar West Coast All-Region honoree from Round Valley HS...Starred on both sides of the ball for coach Russ Semore...Helped the Elks reach the state semifinals as a senior...Named to the Arizona Republic's All-Arizona High School Football Team and the 3A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior...Finished final season having registered 174 total tackles to go with two interceptions returned for touchdowns and two fumble recoveries...Had two 20-takedown nights, including posting a career-high 26 tackles in a win over Coolidge last fall...Ranked the No. 3 LB in the Grand Canyon State heading into 2007 campaign...Also caught six passes for 39 yards for RVHS...As a junior finished with 118 tackles and two sacks en route to first team all-region and second team all-state honors as the Elks went 11-1...Also competed in track as a prepster in the 110-meter hurdles...Also recruited by Arizona, Colorado and Colorado State...Travis Macky Trickey was born on Nov. 1, 1989. SANFORD ON TRICKEY: "Travis Trickey lives on a 100,000-acre ranch on the Arizona-New Mexico border and was our first commit of the year. He came to our lineman camp and committed to us soon after that. He had a lot of tackles in high school and was a first-team all-state player in Arizona. He'll have an opportunity to play right away for us."
One of the trio of young blockers from the Golden State signing with UNLV this season...Ranked the No. 128 OT prospect in the nation by Scout...A four-year letterman at Santiago HS for coach Steve Mitchell...The first division-one football signee from the program in a decade...Named First Team All-Foothill League as a senior...Helped the Centurions to the state semifinals last fall under coach Jason Bornn...Also recruited by San Diego State and UNR...Shane Michael Watterson was born on June 19, 1990. SANFORD ON WATTERSON: "Shane Watterson is a tall athlete with excellent feet. He's a great addition to our program who we believe will develop into an outstanding offensive lineman."
A tall tight end with good pass-catching skills...Ranked the No. 95 TE prospect in the nation by Scout...Prepped at Central Catholic HS in Modesto, Calif....The only TE in this year's UNLV class...Lettered three years for the Raiders under coach Mike Glines...Hauled in 31 balls for 440 yards and six touchdowns...Helped SHS to an 8-2-1 record and a Division-5 championship...Team advanced to the Cal Division III State Championship game but lost to St. Bonaventure 35-21...Named first team all-conference and second team all-league...Also recruited by Air Force and Nevada, Reno...Alex Anthony Young was born on May 5, 1990. SANFORD ON YOUNG: "We had a need to sign an attached tight end and got that in Alex Young. He was a late-bloomer but played in a great program at Central Catholic." |
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