Fall Previews: UNLV

Fall Preview for UNLV

QB

#08 Caleb Herring 6-3 200 QB JR Moreno Valley, CA (Citrus Hill HS)--10 games played. 86 carries for 119 yards and 2 TD. 113-206 passing for 1004 yards and 8 TD. 1 catch for -3 yards.

#14 Sean Reilly 6-4 210 QB SR Trabuco Canyon, CA (Saddleback College)--7 games played. 13-39 for 186 yards and 1 TD.

#15 Nick Sherry 6-5 240 QB R-FR Petaluma, CA (Casa Grande HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#10 James Boyd 6-5 255 QB JR Los Angeles, CA (USC/West Los Angeles)--JUCO Transfer.

The quarterback spot is the hottest competition on the team with Herring, Reilly and Sherry all listed as co-starters on the final spring depth chart. Herring played in 10 games with over 1000 yards passing and over 100 yards rushing. Reilly played in 7 games with 186 yards passing. Sherry was redshirted in 2011. Boyd could factor in but it is unlikely.

FB

#37 William Vea 6-0 230 FB SO Alamo, NV (Pahranagat Valley HS)--10 games played. 6 catches for 30 yards and 1 TD. 3 tackles.

#89 Tyler Bergsten 6-4 240 TE/FB R-FR Phoenix, AZ (Greenway HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Darius Andres 5-10 215 FB R-SO Claremont, CA (Claremont HS)--Incoming Freshman.

William Vea is the projected starter being the only fullback with playing time in 2011. Vea caught 6 passes in addition to lead blocking last season. Redshirt freshman Tyler Bergsten was moved from tight end where he was redshirted in 2011 and will be the backup in 2012. Darius Andres looks to be redshirted with the move of Bergsten to fullback.

RB

#35 Tim Cornett 6-0 205 RB JR Galena Park, TX (North Shore HS)--11 games played. 119 carries for 671 yards and 7 TD. 10 catches for 54 yards. 6 kickoff returns for 33.6 yard average and 1 TD.

#28 Bradley Randle 5-7 190 RB JR Murrieta, CA (Vista Murrieta HS)--12 games played. 112 carries for 489 yards and 2 TD. 5 catches for 60 yards. 20 kickoff returns for 20.3 yard average. 5 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.

#30 Imari Thompson 5-9 215 RB SR DeSoto, TX (Cedar Hill HS)--8 games played. 1 tackle.

#?? David Greene RB  FR 5'11" 183 Dallas, TX (Skyline)--Incoming Freshman.

Junior Tim Cornett looks to split the carries with junior bradley Randle with both players getting over 110 carries and a combined 9 touchdowns. Senior Imari Thompson looks to give help on special teams. Freshman David Greene will have a chance to earn carries but UNLV would prefer to redshirt him but with only 4 running backs on the roster, that could be difficult.

TE

#46 Jake Phillips 6-6 245 TE R-FR Lakewood, CA (Lakewood HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#49 Nick Gstrein 6-4 275 TE FR Irvine, CA (Woodbridge HS)--Incoming Freshman.

#83 Max Johnson 6-1 235 TE/H JR Wildomar, CA (Elsinore HS)--No stats in 2011.

#86 Aaron Reed 6-4 235 TE/H SR Las Vegas, NV (Silverado HS)--No stats in 2011.

#?? Andrew Casey 6-4 240 TE/H JR Twentynine Palms, CA (College of the Desert)--JUCO Transfer.

#?? Mia Valoaga 6'6" 210 TE FR Oxnard, CA (Channel Islands)--Incoming Freshman.

With none of the returning players having any statistics in 2011, redshirt freshman Jake Phillips won the starting job going into the summer. True freshman early enrollee Nick Gstrein is second on the depth chart and could win the starting job by fall camp. The others could be fighting for the 3rd tight end position this fall.

 

WR

#81 Devante Davis 6-3 200 WR SO Galena Park, TX (North Shore HS)--11 games played. 4 catches for 42 yards.

#18 Marcus Sullivan 5-9 195 WR SO North Las Vegas, NV (Cheyenne HS)--No stats in 2011.

#21 Taylor Spencer 6-1 210 WR SO Las Vegas, NV (Bishop Gorman HS)--No stats in 2011.

#82 Marquis Thompson 5-10 175 WR R-FR Los Angeles, CA (Crenshaw HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#87 Trey Mays 5-10 175 WR SR Las Vegas, NV (College of the Desert)--12 games played. 1 carry for 4 yards. 4 catches for 34 yards. 2 tackles.

#11 Kurt Davis 6-5 220 WR SO Bellflower, CA (Centennial HS)--No stats in 2011.

#09 Eric Johnson 5-7 170 WR SR Green Cove Springs, FL (College of the Sequoias)--No stats in 2011.

#?? Jordan Butler 5-8 150 WR SO North Las Vegas, NV (Cheyenne HS)--First year with program.

#?? Jonathon James 5-8 165 WR SO Las Vegas, NV (Canyon Springs HS)--First year with program.

#?? Maika Mataele 5-10 180 WR JR Kaneohe, HI (Oregon State)--Transfer from Oregon State.

#?? Michael Thomas 6-3 168 WR FR Elk Grove, CA (Cosumnes Oak)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Anthony Williams 6-0 185 WR Concord, CA (De La Salle)--Incoming Freshman.

Sophomores Devante Davis and Marcus Sullivan won the starting jobs at wide receiver following the end of spring camp. Davis played in 11 games and is the leading returning receiver for the Rebels. Sullivan did play but did not accumulate any stats. Sophomore Taylor Spencer and redshirt freshman Marquis Thompson won the right to be in the rotation although neither have caught passes in official games. The wild card is junior Maika Mataele who transferred from Oregon State and could fight for some playing time this fall as well.

OL

#69 Brett Boyko 6-7 310 LT R-FR Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (St. Joseph HS)--Projected starter at left tackle.

#78 Cameron Jefferson 6-6 300 LG R-FR Las Vegas, NV (Desert Oasis HS)--Projected starter at left guard.

#79 Robert Waterman 6-2 290 C R-FR Castaic, CA (West Ranch HS)--Projected starter at center.

#64 Doug Zismann 6-2 300 RG SR Phoenix, AZ (Shadow Mountain HS)--12 games played. 1 tackle. Projected starter at right guard.

#77 Yusef Rodgers 6-2 260 RT SR Van Nuys, CA (Crespi HS)--Projected starter at right tackle.

#67 Brad Overand 6-6 280 LT JR Yakima, WA (West Valley HS)--2nd team left tackle.

#75 Allen Carroll 6-4 320 OL SR Oakland, CA (Washington/College of the Sequoias)--2nd team left guard.

#58 Brian Roth 6-5 300 C SO Lake Forest, CA (El Toro HS)--2nd team center.

#61 Nick White 6-6 305 OL R-FR Chandler, AZ (Gilbert HS)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team right guard.

#73 Andrew Oberg 6-7 280 OL R-FR Islip, NY (Islip HS)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team right tackle.

#76 Jason Koontz 6-2 315 OL JR Corona, CA (Santiago HS)--Backup lineman.

#?? Eric Noone 6-2 295 OL R-FR Las Vegas, NV (Silverado HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#74 Alex Novosel 6-6 270 OL R-FR Littleton, CO (Chatfield Senior HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Bobby Alvarez OL 6-6 330 Barstow, CA (Barstow)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Tom Clarkson OL 6-6 290 Mission, British Columbia (Vancouver College Prep)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Charles Howard OL 6-5 295 Stockton, CA (Lincoln)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? J'Ondray Sanders OL 6-5 250 Henderson, NV (Basic)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Ron Scoggins OL 6'3" 304 Las Vegas, NV (Bishop Gorman)--Incoming Freshman.

#65 Patrick Carroll 6-5 275 OL FR La Canada, CA (St. Francis HS)--Incoming Freshman.

With an offensive line that has three redshirt freshmen, this could be a very interesting season for the Rebels. Seniors Doug Zismann and Yusef Rodgers take up the right side of the line and should be the strong side until the redshirt freshmen get their feet wet and find out if they are ready to play in 2012. There is a plethora of players ready to work to earn time in the rotation if anyone falters. Look for all 5 incoming freshmen to redshirt.

DL

#85 Jordan Sparkman 6-6 250 DE SO San Diego, CA (Point Loma HS)--12 games played. 5 tackles.

#95 Alex Klorman 6-2 270 DT JR Las Vegas, NV (Del Sol HS)--12 games played. 21 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery.

#68 Nate Holloway 6-3 365 DT JR North Las Vegas, NV (Spring Valley HS)--12 games played. 13 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd.

#98 Desmond Tautofi 6-3 300 DE SO Honolulu, HI (Calvary Chapel HS)--11 games played. 11 tackles, 2 for loss.

#93 Sonny Sanitoa 6-3 235 DE R-FR Pago Pago, American Samoa (Samoana HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#47 Trent Allmang-Wilder 6-6 290 DT SR Palm Springs, CA (College of the Desert)--12 games played. 19 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 0.5 sacks.

#90 Parker Holloway 6-3 240 DE JR DeSoto, TX (Trinity Valley CC)--No stats in 2011.

#99 Tyler Gaston 6-3 290 DT JR North Las Vegas, NV (Rancho HS)--12 games played. 21 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 2 sacks, forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery.

#91 Alvin Amilcar 6-4 245 DL R-JR Belle Glade, FL (College of the Sequoias)--3 games played. 1 tackle, 1 for loss.

#48 Beau Brence 6-3 255 DE SR Plano, TX (Plano Senior HS)--12 games played. 3 tackles.

#?? Gerry Norton 5-9 240 DL JR Watsonville, CA (Cabrillo College)--JUCO Transfer.

#?? Parker Holloway DE 6-4 250 JR Athens, TX (Trinity Valley C.C.)--JUCO Transfer.

#94 David Green 6-4 245 DL FR Wasilla, AK (Wasilla HS)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Dominic Baldwin DE 6-5 225 FR Santa Maria, CA (Righetti)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Marcell Frazier DE 6-5 220 FR Portland, OR (David Douglas)--Incoming Freshman.

Although every projected starter played in at least 11 games in 2011, no player got more than 13 tackles in backup duty. It is a little bit of a head scratcher for the defensive tackle starters to not include Allmang-Wilder or Gaston who combined for 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2011. Those two players should fight for the starting jobs in 2012.

LB

#55 John Lotulelei 6-0 235 WLB SR Kihei, HI (Merced College)--12 games played. 60 tackles, 3 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd.

#41 Tani Maka 6-1 240 MLB JR Long Beach, CA (Jordan HS)--11 games played. 54 tackles, 3 for loss. 2 interceptions, 2 pd.

#43 Tim Hasson 6-2 215 SLB JR Las Vegas, NV (Cimarron-Memorial HS)-- 12 games played. 46 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd.

#13 Eric Tuiloma-Vaa 6-0 200 WLB JR Las Vegas, NV (Desert Pines HS)--No stats in 2011.

#16 Taylor Barnhill 6-4 240 MLB SO Rhome, TX (Justin NW HS)--7 games played. 31 carries for 85 yards. 11-22 passing for 102 yards.

#40 Princeton Jackson 6-0 210 SLB SR Houston, TX (Blinn College)--11 games played. 39 tackles, 3 for loss. 2 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd.

#56 Perry Cooper 6-3 230 LB SO The Woodlands, TX (The Woodlands HS)--11 games played. 7 tackles.

#52 Reggie Umuolo 5-11 195 LB SR Phoenix, AZ (Centennial HS)--No stats in 2011.

#?? Chyrye Anderson 5-9 200 LB SO North Las Vegas, NV (Jamestown College)--JUCO Transfer.

#?? Prince Oroke 6-1 225 LB JR Las Vegas, NV (Colorado School of Mines)--JUCO Transfer.

#59 Connor Afoa 6-0 245 LB FR Henderson, NV (Foothill HS)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Trent Langham LB 6-3 205 FR Garden Grove, CA (Garden Grove)--Incoming Freshman.

All three of the projected starters had at least 45 tackles with senior weakside linebacker Loulelei leading with 60 tackles. Junior Tani Maka added 54 and junior Tim Hasson added 46. Last season's do it all player Taylor Barnhill moved to the defensive side of the ball after running and passing the ball as a freshman. Vaa and Jackson look to get playing time as depth with the two juco transfers also pushing for playing time.

DB

#17 Kenneth Penny 5-11 170 CB SO Lancaster, TX (Lancaster HS)--5 games played. 9 tackles. 1 pbu, 1 pd.

#23 Sidney Hodge 5-8 175 CB JR Las Vegas, NV (Palo Verde HS)--12 games played. 53 tackles. 8 pbu, 8 pd, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble. 1 punt return for 7 yards. 1 kickoff return for 25 yards.

#29 Tajh Hasson 6-1 190 SS SO Los Angeles, CA (Cathedral HS)--12 games played. 17 tackles. 1 fumble recovery.

#42 Peni Vea 6-1 195 FS R-FR Kailu-Kona, HI (Kealakehe HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#02 Ken Spigner 5-10 185 CB JR Miami, FL (College of the Sequoias)--11 games played. 13 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 forced fumble.

#24 Fred Wilson 6-0 175 CB R-FR Bakersfield, CA (West HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#20 Kenny Brown 5-10 175 SS SR Palmdale, CA (College of the Canyons)--12 games played. 11 tackles. 1 forced fumble.

#05 Dre Crawford 6-0 185 FS SR Miami, FL (Arizona Western)--No stats in 2011.

#38 Mike Horsey 6-0 180 DB SO Baltimore, MD (Dunbar HS)--12 games played. 13 tackles.

#45 John Therrell 6-2 170 DB JR Las Vegas, NV (Bishop Gorman HS)--No stats in 2011.

#?? Justice Sarcedo 5-11 180 DB R-FR Honolulu, HI (Kaimuki HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Shaquille Shelton 5-7 180 DB R-FR Los Angeles, CA (Crenshaw HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#25 Brandon Baker 6-1 180 DB R-FR Lancaster, TX (Lancaster HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#44 Kenny Keys 6-4 185 DB FR San Diego, CA (Helix HS)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Travone Davis 6-0 175 DB R-FR Los Angeles, CA (Rancho Verde HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Matt Lea DB 5-11 195 FR Fresno, CA (Central East)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Marc Philippi DB 5-11 205 FR Las Vegas, NV (Bishop Gorman)--Incoming Freshman.

Junior Sidney Hodge leads an inexperienced secondary with 53 tackles in 2011 and 4 fumble recoveries. Sophomore Tajh Hasson made 17 tackles as a freshman and looks to start at strong safety this fall. Cornerback and sophomore Kenneth Penny looks to start after playing in 5 games in 2011. Vea will be the biggest risk with no playing time after being redshirted in 2011 as a freshman. He will be manning the free safety spot. Spigner, Wilson, Brown, and Crawford look to be the backups and get playing time this fall. Horsey also made 13 tackles in 2011. 7 other players in the secondary are either redshirt or true freshmen and it is difficult to find out their roles in the fall.

P

#39 Chase Lansford 6-2 195 P/PK SR Yorba Linda, CA (Santa Ana College)--75 punts, 41.2 yard average. 16 inside the 20 yard line. 12 punts over 50 yards. 1 blocked. 33 kickoffs, 7 touchbacks. 2 tackles.

#?? Kameron Rose 5-10 175 PK SO Santa Rosa, CA (Piner HS)

Senior punter Chase Lansford averaged over 40 yards per punt in 2011 with 12 punts over 50 yards and 16 landing inside the 20 yard line. He also kicked off 33 times with 7 touchbacks as the kickoff specialist.

K

#27 Nolan Kohorst 6-1 175 PK JR Henderson, NV (Green Valley HS)--9-14 field goals. Long of 50 yards. 12 kickoffs, 0 touchbacks. 1 tackle.

Junior kicker Nolan Kohorst had a successful sophomore season in 2011 making 9-14 field goals with a long of 50 yards. He should improve slightly and may take over some kickoff specialist duties to give Lansford some rest after many punts in 2011.

ATH

#?? Troy Hawthorne ATH 6-2 180 FR Peoria, AZ (Centennial)--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Jonavaughn Williams ATH 6-0 195 FR San Juan Capistrano, CA (Jserra Catholic)--Incoming Freshman.

Overall, UNLV had a tough season in 2011 going 2-10 so expecting very much from the Rebels in 2012 would be ridiculous. The Rebels start the season with games versus Minnesota, Northern Arizona, and Washington State, all at home, and have a chance to go 2-1 to start the season if they improve somewhat versus some weak big 6 conference schools and an average I-AA program. With trips to Utah State, San Diego State, Boise State and Hawaii, wins will be at a premium as the season progresses. 4 wins would be quite an improvement and should be the goal for the 2012 Rebels football season.