unlvFOOTBALL
19 ALPHABETICAL ROSTER NO NAME POS HGT WGT CL-EXP HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL/PREVIOUS SCHOOL(S) 2 Mike Adams DB 6-2 210 JR-TR Bay Point, CA Oakland Tech/Laney College 15 Soli Afalava DB 6-2 205 FR-RS Hau’ula, HI Kahuku HS 49 Kyle Anderson TE 6-3 240 JR-SQ Las Vegas, NV Silverado HS 17 Evan Austrie DB 6-0 200 FR-RS Vallejo, CA Vallejo HS Ammir Aziz DL 6-6 315 SO-1L Las Vegas, NV Durango HS 33 Dalton Baker DB 5-11 185 SO-1L Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS 97 Dominic Baldwin DL 6-5 270 SR-3L Santa Maria, CA Ernest Righetti HS 79 Jacob Becker OL 6-5 280 JR-TR Reno, NV Reno HS/De Anza College 40 Nicolai Bornand PK 6-1 225 SR-3L Santa Barbara, CA Dos Pueblos HS Salah Boyce DB 5-7 175 SO-TR Las Vegas, NV Arbor View HS/University of Mary 83 Devonte Boyd WR 6-1 180 JR-2L Henderson, NV Basic HS 72 Matt Brayton OL 6-3 300 FR-HS Monrovia, CA Bishop Amat HS 90 Jalil Briley DL 6-3 215 FR-RS Las Vegas, NV Bonanza HS 75 Jaron Caldwell OL 6-4 315 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS 35 Xzaviar Campbell RB 5-11 220 SO-1L Bellaire, TX Bellaire HS 77 Michael Chevalier OL 6-3 300 JR-TR San Diego, CA Mt. Carmel HS/San Diego Mesa College Christian Clapp WR 6-1 190 JR-1L Honolulu, HI Kaiser HS 73 Blake Coggins OL 6-5 290 FR-RS Las Vegas, NV Arbor View HS 81 Andre Collins Jr. WR 6-4 200 FR-HS Hacienda Heights, CA Mater Dei HS 86 Allan Cui III WR 5-5 175 FR-RS Honolulu, HI St. Louis HS 6 Tykenzie Daniels DB 5-10 185 FR-HS Richmond, TX Foster HS 98 Nick Dehdashtian DL 6-1 290 FR-RS R.S. Margarita, CA Santa Margarita Catholic HS 95 Jason Fao DL 6-0 300 JR-1L Long Beach, CA Long Beach Poly HS/Long Beach City College 45 Giovanni Fauolo TE 6-2 250 FR-HS Oakley, CA Freedom HS 19 Mark Finau DL 6-3 230 JR-1L Valley Glen, CA Cathedral HS/LA Valley College 32 Jericho Flowers DB 5-10 170 FR-RS Los Angeles, CA Hamilton HS 74 Julio Garcia OL 6-3 305 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS 22 David Greene RB 6-0 210 SR-3L Dallas, TX Skyline HS 11 Troy Hawthorne DB 6-3 210 SR-3L Glendale, AZ Centennial HS 89 Phillip Haynes III TE 6-4 255 SO-SQ Dallas, TX Skyline HS 43 Tim Holt TE 6-2 230 JR-TR Yorba Linda, CA Yorba Linda HS/Fullerton College 13 Tim Hough DB 5-11 195 SO-1L Las Vegas, NV Desert Pines HS 99 Mike Hughes Jr. DL 6-2 315 JR-2L Las Vegas, NV Palo Verde HS 59 Toa Iafeta DL 6-4 270 FR-HS San Jose, CA Milpitas HS 24 Robert Jackson DB 6-2 205 JR-TR Fort Myers, FL Lehigh Senior HS/College of the Sequoias 64 Nathan Jacobson OL 6-5 290 SO-1L Snohomish, WA Snohomish HS 92 Rodney Jones DL 6-4 240 FR-HS Stockton, CA Lincoln HS 34 Henri Jussila RB 5-9 180 JR-1L Järvenpää, Finland Layton Christian Academy/Mäkelänrinteen HS 53 Roscoe Kalilikane LB 6-0 235 JR-1L Honolulu, HI Radford HS 9 Trevor Kanteman TE 6-4 240 JR-TR Woodland Hills, CA Royal HS/Illinois/LA Pierce College 5 Brian Keyes LB 6-1 255 JR-TR Surprise, AZ Willow Canyon HS/Arizona/Scottsdale CC 84 Kendal Keys WR 6-4 200 JR-2L San Diego, CA Helix HS 44 Kenny Keys DB 6-4 200 SR-3L San Diego, CA Helix HS 58 Will Kreitler OL 6-0 300 SR-1L Gilbert, AZ Gilbert HS/Scottsdale CC 57 Joe Lang LS 6-2 210 SO-TR Pullman, WA Pullman HS/Washington State 48 Bailey Laolagi LB 6-1 210 SO-1L Folsom, CA Folsom HS 23 Matt Lea LB 5-10 220 JR-2L Fresno, CA Central HS Christian Lopez QB 6-0 195 FR-RS Henderson, NV Green Valley HS 55 Tau Lotulelei LB 6-1 235 SR-3L Kihei, HI Maui HS 91 Tui Maloata DL 6-3 260 SR-1L Malaeloa, A. Samoa Leone HS/Mt. SAC Thomas Manning P 6-2 170 JR-TR Mission Viejo, CA Mission Viejo HS/Saddleback College 56 Ryan McAleenan LB 6-2 220 SR-2L Glendale, CA St. Francis HS/SJSU/Coll. of the Canyons 25 Gabe McCoy LB 6-2 205 FR-RS Pittsburg, CA Pittsburg HS 4 Torry McTyer DB 6-0 195 SR-3L Los Angeles, CA Cathedral HS 21 Darius Mouton DB 5-10 165 SO-1L Houston, TX North Shore HS 1 Jay’Onn Myles DB 5-8 165 SR-1L Palmdale, CA Palmdale HS/LA Pierce College Dorian Naiditch PK 5-4 155 SO-RS Carlisle, PA Carlisle HS Kyler O’Halloran LB 6-0 225 JR-TR Kailua Kona, HI Kealakehe HS/Ventura CC Nate Oishi DL 5-10 265 SO-1L Honolulu, HI Iolani HS 65 Donovan Outlaw OL 6-3 290 FR-HS Henderson, NV Coronado HS 14 Kurt Palandech QB 6-2 185 JR-1L Plainfield, IL North HS/North Dakota/Laney College 30 Evan Pantels P/PK 5-10 180 SO-TR Suwanee, GA Peachtree Ridge HS/Georgia St./Georgia Military 7 Marc Philippi FB 5-10 225 SR-2L Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS 78 Justin Polu OL 6-4 320 FR-RS Henderson, NV Silverado HS
20 ALPHABETICAL ROSTER NO NAME POS HGT WGT CL-EXP HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL/PREVIOUS SCHOOL(S) 54 Iggy Porchia DL 6-2 240 SR-3L Los Angeles, CA Venice HS 80 Brandon Presley WR 6-0 180 SO-1L Temecula, CA Great Oak HS 88 Andrew Price TE 6-6 255 SR-3L Blaine, WA Blaine HS 1 Armani Rogers QB 6-5 210 FR-HS Los Angeles, CA Hamilton HS 41 Joseph Salazar DL 6-4 240 SO-1L Houston, TX Atascocita HS 63 J’Ondray Sanders OL 6-5 260 JR-1L Henderson, NV Basic HS 76 Kyle Saxelid OL 6-7 290 JR-2L Elk Grove, CA Cosumnes Oaks HS Cody Scherff TE 6-6 240 JR-TR Albert Lea, MN Albert Lea Senior HS/Rochester CC Grant Schober P/PK 6-2 190 FR-RS Pasadena, CA Maranatha HS 51 Zack Singer OL 6-2 320 SO-TR Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS/Kent State 18 Dalton Sneed QB 6-0 195 FR-RS Scottsdale, AZ Horizon HS Jacob Speaks RB 5-9 190 SO-1L Las Vegas, NV Arbor View HS 4 Johnny Stanton QB 6-2 245 JR-TR R.S. Margarita, CA Santa Margarita HS/Nebraska/Saddleback College 2 Mekhi Stevenson WR 6-0 180 FR-HS Lemon Grove, CA Helix HS 27 David Tate Jr. LB 6-2 220 FR-HS Fresno, CA Edison HS 52 Leevel Tatum III DL 6-0 270 FR-HS Fresno, CA Edison HS 3 Lexington Thomas RB 5-9 170 SO-1L Houston, TX Benjamin Davis HS 82 Elijah Trosclair WR 6-2 185 FR-HS Sacramento, CA Sacramento HS 94 Jeremiah Valoaga DL 6-6 250 SR-3L Oxnard, CA Channel Islands HS 20 LaKeith Walls LB 6-2 235 SR-TR Cleveland, OH Rhodes HS/Illinois 16 Javin White DB 6-2 190 FR-RS Oakland, CA McClymonds HS 8 Charles Williams RB 5-10 175 FR-HS Fresno, CA Bullard HS 42 Salanoa-Alo Wily DL 6-0 275 SO-1L Laie, HI Kahuku HS 10 Darren Woods Jr. WR 6-0 215 FR-RS Missouri City, TX Elkins HS 38 Lantz Worthington RB 5-7 180 JR-TR Las Vegas, NV Centennial HS/Southern Oregon 87 Antonio Zepeda DL 6-6 265 JR-2L Phoenix, AZ Camelback HS
PRONUNCIATIONS 2016 STARTERS BREAKDOWN OFFENSE Soli Afalava (15). SO-lee AH-fah-LAH-vah. Tau Lotulelei (55)...TAHW low-2-LAY-LAY POS NO RETURNING (5) LOST (6) Nicolai Bornand (40)...... Tui Maloata (91) ...... LG Eric Noone (3L) LT 76 Kyle Saxelid (6-7, 290, JR-2L) NEEK-oh-lye BOR-nand TWO-ee mah-low-AH-tah C 58 Will Kreitler (6-0, 300, SR-1L) Salah Boyce...... sah-LAH Darius Mouton (21)...... MOO-ton RG Nick Gstrein (4L) RT 63 J’Ondray Sanders (6-5, 260, JR-1L) Xzaviar Campbell (35)...... X-ZAY-vee-er Darian Naiditch...... NAY-ditch TE Jake Phillips (4L) Michael Chevalier (77)...... chev-AHL-yay Nate Oishi...... oh-E-she QB Blake Decker (2L) RB Keith Whitely (3L) Allan Cui III (86)...... COO-ee Kurt Palandech (14)...... PAL-in-deck WR 83 Devonte Boyd (6-1, 180, JR-2L) Nick Dehdashtian (98).. dah-DASH-tee-in Marc Philippi (7)...... FILL-ah-P WR Anthony Williams (4L) WR 84 Kendal Keys (6-4, 200, JR-2L) Jason Fao (95)... FOW (rhymes with now) Justin Polu (78)...... PO-lew Mark Finau (19)...... FEE-now Iggy Porchia (54)...... por-SHAY DEFENSE Tim Hough (13)...... HUFF J’Ondray Sanders (63)...... jay-ON-dray POS NO RETURNING (7) LOST (4) DE Sonny Sanitoa (4L) Henri Jussila (34)...... ju-SILL-ah Kyle Saxelid (76)...... SAX-ah-lid DT Senituli Fakauho (2L) DT 99 Mike Hughes Jr. (6-2, 315, JR-2L) Roscoe Kalilikane (53) ...... Jeremiah Valoaga (94)...... VOL-o-UN-gah DE 19 Mark Finau (6-3, 230, JR-1L) kah-LEE-LEE-kah-nee Javin White (16)...... JAY-vin LB 55 Tau Lotulelei (6-1, 235, SR-3L) LB 56 Ryan McAleenan (6-2, 220, SR-2L) Will Kreitler (58)...... KRITE-ler Salanoa-Alo Wily (42)...... LB 23 Matt Lea (5-10, 220, JR-2L) Bailey Laolagi (48)...... lau-LONG-ee SAH-la-NO-ah AH-lo WHY-lee CB 13 Tim Hough (5-11, 195, SO-1L) SS Blake Richmond (2L) Matt Lea (23)...... LEE Antonio Zepeda (87)...... zah-PED-ah FS Peni Vea (4L) CB 4 Torry McTyer (6-0, 195, SR-3L)
Coach Cedric Cormier...... cor-MEER KICKERS POS NO RETURNING (1) LOST (1) P Logan Yunker (4L) PK 40 Nicolai Bornand (6-1, 225, SR-3L)
21 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO NAME POS HGT WGT CL-EXP HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL/PREVIOUS SCHOOL(S) 1 Jay’Onn Myles DB 5-8 165 SR-1L Palmdale, CA Palmdale HS/LA Pierce College 1 Armani Rogers QB 6-5 210 FR-HS Los Angeles, CA Hamilton HS 2 Mike Adams DB 6-2 210 JR-TR Bay Point, CA Oakland Tech/Laney College 2 Mekhi Stevenson WR 6-0 180 FR-HS Lemon Grove, CA Helix HS 3 Lexington Thomas RB 5-9 170 SO-1L Houston, TX Benjamin Davis HS 4 Torry McTyer DB 6-0 195 SR-3L Los Angeles, CA Cathedral HS 4 Johnny Stanton QB 6-2 245 JR-TR R.S. Margarita, CA Santa Margarita HS/Nebraska/Saddleback College 5 Brian Keyes LB 6-1 255 JR-TR Surprise, AZ Willow Canyon HS/Arizona/Scottsdale CC 6 Tykenzie Daniels DB 5-10 185 FR-HS Richmond, TX Foster HS 7 Marc Philippi FB 5-10 225 SR-2L Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS 8 Charles Williams RB 5-10 175 FR-HS Fresno, CA Bullard HS 9 Trevor Kanteman TE 6-4 240 JR-TR Woodland Hills, CA Royal HS/Illinois/LA Pierce College 10 Darren Woods Jr. WR 6-0 215 FR-RS Missouri City, TX Elkins HS 11 Troy Hawthorne DB 6-3 210 SR-3L Glendale, AZ Centennial HS 13 Tim Hough DB 5-11 195 SO-1L Las Vegas, NV Desert Pines HS 14 Kurt Palandech QB 6-2 185 JR-1L Plainfield, IL North HS/North Dakota/Laney College 15 Soli Afalava DB 6-2 205 FR-RS Hau’ula, HI Kahuku HS 16 Javin White DB 6-2 190 FR-RS Oakland, CA McClymonds HS 17 Evan Austrie DB 6-0 200 FR-RS Vallejo, CA Vallejo HS 18 Dalton Sneed QB 6-0 195 FR-RS Scottsdale, AZ Horizon HS 19 Mark Finau DL 6-3 230 JR-1L Valley Glen, CA Cathedral HS/LA Valley College 20 LaKeith Walls LB 6-2 235 SR-TR Cleveland, OH Rhodes HS/Illinois 21 Darius Mouton DB 5-10 165 SO-1L Houston, TX North Shore HS 22 David Greene RB 6-0 210 SR-3L Dallas, TX Skyline HS 23 Matt Lea LB 5-10 220 JR-2L Fresno, CA Central HS 24 Robert Jackson DB 6-2 205 JR-TR Fort Myers, FL Lehigh Senior HS/College of the Sequoias 25 Gabe McCoy LB 6-2 205 FR-RS Pittsburg, CA Pittsburg HS 27 David Tate Jr. LB 6-2 220 FR-HS Fresno, CA Edison HS 30 Evan Pantels P/PK 5-10 180 SO-TR Suwanee, GA Peachtree Ridge HS/Georgia St./Georgia Military 32 Jericho Flowers DB 5-10 170 FR-RS Los Angeles, CA Hamilton HS 33 Dalton Baker DB 5-11 185 SO-1L Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS 34 Henri Jussila RB 5-9 180 JR-1L Järvenpää, Finland Layton Christian Academy/Mäkelänrinteen HS 35 Xzaviar Campbell RB 5-11 220 SO-1L Bellaire, TX Bellaire HS 38 Lantz Worthington RB 5-7 180 JR-TR Las Vegas, NV Centennial HS/Southern Oregon 40 Nicolai Bornand PK 6-1 225 SR-3L Santa Barbara, CA Dos Pueblos HS 41 Joseph Salazar DL 6-4 240 SO-1L Houston, TX Atascocita HS 42 Salanoa-Alo Wily DL 6-0 275 SO-1L Laie, HI Kahuku HS 43 Tim Holt TE 6-2 230 JR-TR Yorba Linda, CA Yorba Linda HS/Fullerton College 44 Kenny Keys DB 6-4 200 SR-3L San Diego, CA Helix HS 45 Giovanni Fauolo TE 6-2 250 FR-HS Oakley, CA Freedom HS 48 Bailey Laolagi LB 6-1 210 SO-1L Folsom, CA Folsom HS 49 Kyle Anderson TE 6-3 240 JR-SQ Las Vegas, NV Silverado HS 51 Zack Singer OL 6-2 320 SO-TR Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS/Kent State 52 Leevel Tatum III DL 6-0 270 FR-HS Fresno, CA Edison HS 53 Roscoe Kalilikane LB 6-0 235 JR-1L Honolulu, HI Radford HS 54 Iggy Porchia DL 6-2 240 SR-3L Los Angeles, CA Venice HS 55 Tau Lotulelei LB 6-1 235 SR-3L Kihei, HI Maui HS 56 Ryan McAleenan LB 6-2 220 SR-2L Glendale, CA St. Francis HS/SJSU/Coll. of the Canyons 57 Joe Lang LS 6-2 210 SO-TR Pullman, WA Pullman HS/Washington State 58 Will Kreitler OL 6-0 300 SR-1L Gilbert, AZ Gilbert HS/Scottsdale CC 59 Toa Iafeta DL 6-4 270 FR-HS San Jose, CA Milpitas HS 63 J’Ondray Sanders OL 6-5 260 JR-1L Henderson, NV Basic HS 64 Nathan Jacobson OL 6-5 290 SO-1L Snohomish, WA Snohomish HS 65 Donovan Outlaw OL 6-3 290 FR-HS Henderson, NV Coronado HS 72 Matt Brayton OL 6-3 300 FR-HS Monrovia, CA Bishop Amat HS 73 Blake Coggins OL 6-5 290 FR-RS Las Vegas, NV Arbor View HS 74 Julio Garcia OL 6-3 305 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS 75 Jaron Caldwell OL 6-4 315 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Bishop Gorman HS 76 Kyle Saxelid OL 6-7 290 JR-2L Elk Grove, CA Cosumnes Oaks HS 77 Michael Chevalier OL 6-3 300 JR-TR San Diego, CA Mt. Carmel HS/San Diego Mesa College 78 Justin Polu OL 6-4 320 FR-RS Henderson, NV Silverado HS 79 Jacob Becker OL 6-5 280 JR-TR Reno, NV Reno HS/De Anza College 80 Brandon Presley WR 6-0 180 SO-1L Temecula, CA Great Oak HS 81 Andre Collins Jr. WR 6-4 200 FR-HS Hacienda Heights, CA Mater Dei HS
22 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO NAME POS HGT WGT CL-EXP HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL/PREVIOUS SCHOOL(S) 82 Elijah Trosclair WR 6-2 185 FR-HS Sacramento, CA Sacramento HS 83 Devonte Boyd WR 6-1 180 JR-2L Henderson, NV Basic HS 84 Kendal Keys WR 6-4 200 JR-2L San Diego, CA Helix HS 86 Allan Cui III WR 5-5 175 FR-RS Honolulu, HI St. Louis HS 87 Antonio Zepeda DL 6-6 265 JR-2L Phoenix, AZ Camelback HS 88 Andrew Price TE 6-6 255 SR-3L Blaine, WA Blaine HS 89 Phillip Haynes III TE 6-4 255 SO-SQ Dallas, TX Skyline HS 90 Jalil Briley DL 6-3 220 FR-RS Las Vegas, NV Bonanza HS 91 Tui Maloata DL 6-3 260 SR-1L Malaeloa, A. Samoa Leone HS/Mt. SAC 92 Rodney Jones DL 6-4 240 FR-HS Stockton, CA Lincoln HS 94 Jeremiah Valoaga DL 6-6 25 SR-3L Oxnard, CA Channel Islands HS 95 Jason Fao DL 6-0 300 JR-1L Long Beach, CA Long Beach Poly HS/Long Beach City College 97 Dominic Baldwin DL 6-5 270 SR-3L Santa Maria, CA Ernest Righetti HS 98 Nick Dehdashtian DL 6-1 290 FR-RS R.S. Margarita, CA Santa Margarita Catholic HS 99 Mike Hughes Jr. DL 6-2 315 JR-2L Las Vegas, NV Palo Verde HS Ammir Aziz DL 6-6 315 SO-1L Las Vegas, NV Durango HS Salah Boyce DB 5-7 175 SO-TR Las Vegas, NV Arbor View HS/University of Mary Christian Clapp WR 6-1 190 JR-1L Honolulu, HI Kaiser HS Christian Lopez QB 6-0 195 FR-RS Henderson, NV Green Valley HS Dorian Naiditch PK 5-4 155 SO-RS Carlisle, PA Carlisle HS Kyler O’Halloran LB 6-0 225 JR-TR Kailua Kona, HI Kealakehe HS/Ventura CC Nate Oishi DL 5-10 265 SO-1L Honolulu, HI Iolani HS Thomas Manning P 6-2 170 JR-TR Mission Viejo, CA Mission Viejo HS/Saddleback College Cody Scherff TE 6-6 240 JR-TR Albert Lea, MN Albert Lea Senior HS/Rochester CC Grant Schober P/PK 6-2 190 FR-RS Pasadena, CA Maranatha HS Jacob Speaks RB 5-9 190 SO-1L Las Vegas, NV Arbor View HS
ROSTER BY CLASS SENIORS (16) JUNIORS (26) SOPHOMORES (19) FRESHMEN (29) Dominic Baldwin Mike Adams+ Ammir Aziz Soli Afalava* Christian Lopez* Nicolai Bornand Kyle Anderson Dalton Baker Evan Austrie* Gabe McCoy* David Greene Jacob Becker+ Salah Boyce+ Matt Brayton Donovan Outlaw Troy Hawthorne Devonte Boyd Xzaviar Campbell Jalil Briley Justin Polu* Kenny Keys Michael Chevalier+ Phillip Haynes III Jaron Caldwell Armani Rogers Will Kreitler Christian Clapp Tim Hough Blake Coggins* Grant Schober* Tau Lotulelei Jason Fao Nathan Jacobson Andre Collins Jr. Dalton Sneed* Tui Maloata Mark Finau Joe Lang# Allan Cui III* Mekhi Stevenson Ryan McAleenan Tim Holt+ Bailey Laolagi Tykenzie Daniels David Tate Jr. Torry McTyer Mike Hughes Jr. Darius Mouton Nick Dehdashtian* Jay’Onn Myles Robert Jackson+ Leevel Tatum III Marc Philippi Henri Jussila Dorian Naiditch Giovanni Fauolo Elijah Trosclair Iggy Porchia Roscoe Kalilikane Nate Oishi Jericho Flowers* Javin White* Andrew Price Trevor Kanteman+ Evan Pantels Julio Garcia Charles Williams Jeremiah Valoaga Brian Keyes+ Brandon Presley Toa Iafeta Darren Woods Jr.* LaKeith Walls% Kendal Keys Joseph Salazar Rodney Jones Matt Lea Zack Singer^* Thomas Manning+ Jacob Speaks Kyler O’Halloran+ Lexington Thomas Kurt Palandech Salanoa-Alo Wily J’Ondray Sanders Kyle Saxelid Cody Scherff+ Johnny Stanton+ Lantz Worthington+ ^2015 Transfer from Kent State Antonio Zepeda #2015 Transfer from Washington State %2016 Graduate Transfer from Illinois +2016 Junior College Transfer *Redshirted 2015 Season
23 GEOGRAPHICAL ROSTER 2016 TEAM NOTES
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ARIZONA (5): Vallejo: Evan Austrie OHIO (1): Gilbert: Will Kreitler Valley Glen: Mark Finau Cleveland: LaKeith Walls Glendale: Troy Hawthrone Woodland Hills: Trevor Kanteman Phoenix: Antonio Zepeda Yorba Linda: Tim Holt PENNSYLVANIA (1): Scottsdale: Dalton Sneed Carlisle: Dorian Naiditch Surprise: Brian Keyes FLORIDA (1): Fort Myers: Robert Jackson TEXAS (8): CALIFORNIA (38): Bellaire: Xzaviar Campbell Bay Point: Mike Adams GEORGIA (1): Dallas: David Greene, Phillip Haynes III Elk Grove: Kyle Saxelid Suwanee: Evan Pantels Houston: Darius Mouton, Joseph Salazar, Folsom: Bailey Laolagi Lexington Thomas Fresno: Matt Lea, David Tate Jr., HAWAI’I (8): Missouri City: Darren Woods Jr. Leevel Tatum III, Charles Williams Hau’ula: Soli Afalava Richmond: Tykenzie Daniels Glendale: Ryan McAleenan Honolulu: Christian Clapp, Allan Cui III, Hacienda Heights: Andre Collins Jr. Roscoe Kalilikane, Nate Oishi WASHINGTON (3): Lemon Grove: Mekhi Stevenson Kailua-Kona: Kyler O’Halloran Blaine: Andrew Price Long Beach: Jason Fao Kihei: Tau Lotulelei Pullman: Joe Lang Los Angeles: Jericho Flowers, Laie: Salanoa-Alo Wily Snohomish: Nathan Jacobson Torry McTyer, Iggy Porchia, Armani Rogers Mission Viejo: Thomas Manning ILLINOIS (1): AMERICAN SAMOA (1): Monrovia: Matt Brayton Plainfield: Kurt Palandech Malaeloa: Tui Maloata Oakland: Javin White Oakley: Giovanni Fauolo MINNESOTA (1): FINLAND (1): Oxnard: Jeremiah Valoaga Albert Lea: Cody Scherff Järvenpää: Henri Jussila Palmdale: Jay’Onn Myles Pasadena: Grant Schober NEVADA (20): Pittsburg: Gabe McCoy Henderson: Devonte Boyd, Christian Lopez, R. Santa Margarita: Nick Dehdashtian, Donovan Outlaw, Justin Polu, J’Ondray Sanders Johnny Stanton Las Vegas: Kyle Anderson, Ammir Aziz, Sacramento: Elijah Trosclair Dalton Baker, Salah Boyce, Jalil Briley, San Diego: Michael Chevalier, Kendal Keys, Jaron Caldwell, Blake Coggins, Julio Garcia, Kenny Keys Tim Hough, Mike Hughes Jr., Marc Philippi, San Jose: Toa Iafeta Zack Singer, Jacob Speaks, Lantz Worthington Santa Barbara: Nicolai Bornand Reno: Jacob Becker Santa Maria: Dominic Baldwin Stockton: Charles Howard Temecula: Brandon Presley 24 2016 TEAM NOTES
“LEX & X SHOW” RATINGS TAKE CARE Remarkably, UNLV running backs went exactly two years (11-21-13 ONLexington THE Thomas RISE, who is listed atop the depth chart at tailback heading into this to 11-21-15) without losing a fumble on a rush attempt -- a span of 652 fall, didn’t even start a game in 2015 but was so dynamic that he managed to tie the carries – before Lexington Thomas lost the handle against SDSU. Indeed, school record for 100-yard rushing games in a season with three such outings (Dionza the Rebels have made a habit of holding on to the football. Overall, UNLV Bradford in 2011 and Omar Love in 1992). In fact, Thomas ranked ninth in the nation with lost just four fumbles last season (three of which came from the QB spot), a per-carry average of 6.24 among all freshmen with at least 500 net rushing yards. which tied for third in the nation. In fact, as a team, the Rebels have aver- RK AVG PLAYER, SCHOOL aged just 5.16 lost fumbles per year since the start of the 2010 season (31 1. 7.60 Marcus Marshall, GA Tech given away in the last 76 games). 2. 7.40 Taj Griffin, Oregon 3. 7.38 Jalin Moore, App Sate “Lex” 4. 7.14 Josh Adams, Notre Dame 5. 6.75 Wesley Fields, GA Southern 6. 6.66 Joe Mixon, Oklahoma 7. 6.45 Ronald Jones II, USC 8. 6.31 Marquis Young, UMass LINCOLN TO LAS VEGAS 9. 6.24 Lexington Thomas, UNLV UNLV’s staff has a definite Cornhusker flavor to it. Offensive coordinator/tight Thomas, however, was not the only Rebel ends coach Barney Cotton played for legendary coach Tom Osborne in Lincoln and rookie runner to make his mark in 2015 spent eight years in two stints on the Nebraska staff, even leading the team as interim as fellow-Houston product Xzaviar Campbell led the head coach in its Holiday Bowl appearance against USC in 2014. Offensive line coach/ team with five rushing touchdowns and his 469 net yards “X” run game coordinator John Garrison also played for the Huskers, including serving came courtesy of a 5.3 per-carry average that trailed only as center in the BCS Championship game for the 2001 squad, and spent the previous Thomas. The pair jointly hosted a coming out party vs. Idaho four years with Cotton on the NU staff. First-year defensive line coach Tony Samuel State last fall as “Lex” ran for 106 yards and a score on just played four seasons for the Huskers and later coached them for 11 (1986-96). Graduate seven carries while the “X Man” scored twice as part of assistant Ben Cotton made 39 career starts at tight end for Nebraska from 2009-12 his nine-carry, 139-yard night against the Bengals. while fellow-GA Cody Green played quarterback for Big Red in 2009-10 before finishing The freshman duo combined for 975 yards and his playing career at Tulsa. eight TDs on just 169 carries off the bench. RECEIVER U? SANCHEZ PART OF SELECT COACHING GROUP Devonte Boyd piled up more receiving yards UNLV’s Tony Sanchez is just the fifth man in the modern era of college football to move directly from being a head coach through a sophomore season than any Rebel in his- at a high school to being head coach at an FBS-level university. Sanchez, of course, only had to move across the city after go- tory as his 1,884 topped the school’s all-time leader ing 85-5 in six seasons while leading national champion Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. Jim Bradley, who passed Ryan Wolfe, who had 1,695 in his first two seasons away in 2015, was the first to do it when he also moved just down the road to take over at NMSU. en route to 3,495 in his career from 2006-09. Boyd is already one of just three UNLV players to ever COACH HIGH SCHOOL (CITY) SCHOOL Record Years post more than one 900-yard season, joining Wolfe Jim Bradley Mayfield HS (Las Cruces, NM) New Mexico State 23-31-1 1973-77 (2006, ’08) and Demond Thompkins, who was the Bob Commings Massillon Washington HS (Massillon, OH) Iowa 18-37 1974-78 first to do it in consecutive campaigns in 1992, ’93. Gerry Faust Moeller HS (Cincinnati, OH) Notre Dame 30-26-1 1981-85 Boyd, a former FWAA Freshman All-America and Todd Dodge Carroll Senior HS (Southlake, TX) North Texas 6-37 2007-10 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in Tony Sanchez Bishop Gorman HS (Las Vegas) UNLV 3-9 2015-SA 2014, was named second team All-MW last fall and is a unanimous preseason first team pick in 2016. It marked the sixth time in the last 10 years that UNLV placed a WR on the All-MW first or second teams and, REBELATIONS... remarkably, five of the program’s six all-time leaders •UNLV will be debuting a third helmet this fall with a special black alternate version. It marks in receptions have played since the MW was formed not only the first time the Rebels have had a black helmet but also the first time the mascot in 1999 (Wolfe, Casey Flair, Devante Davis, Earvin Hey Reb will appear on one. Johnson and Phillip Payne). •The Rebels either led or trailed by just one touchdown in the fourth quarter during all but three of their 12 games in 2015, only failing to stay close vs. UCLA, Michigan and San Diego State. A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION Under Tony Sanchez, UNLV took an aggressive •UNLV will start its 2016 season at home vs. Jackson State, taking on the Tigers for the first approach to start its games in 2015. Even though the time since 1975. The Thursday opener means the Rebels will kick off the season with a non- Rebels won the coin toss in six midfield meetings, Saturday game for the fifth time in the last six years. UNLV will have one other non-Saturday each time they elected to take the football instead of game, at Boise State on Friday, Nov. 18 on ESPN2. UNLV has played on Friday 10 times in its history and boasts a 7-2-1 mark in those deferring to the second half, and ultimately received games and a winning overall non-Saturday record of 16-13-1. the game’s opening kickoff in 10 of 12 weeks (two opponents won the toss and took the ball). The re- •UNLV’s defense scored three touchdowns (on two interceptions and one fumble) in the last nine outings of the year after having ZERO sults were eye-popping as UNLV scored touchdowns such scores in the previous 34 games. on its first possession of the game seven times (five after the opening kickoff and two after forcing a •After taking 20 years between trips to play a team in the state of Michigan, UNLV is heading back to the Great Lakes State for the quick punt). What’s more, six of the seven scoring second consecutive autumn. The Rebels played Michigan in the Big House in 2015 and now return to take on Central Michigan in Mount marches measured at least 74 yards, including the Pleasant for the first time since the 1994 season. opening drive of the Sanchez era rolling 84 yards at Northern Illinois. •UNLV’s defense tied with USC for 18th in the nation in fourth-down defense as opponents only converted 8 of 21 such attempts (38 percent). The previous season, Rebel opponents had a 65-percent success rate on fourth down.
•The Rebels will go into camp with eight players on their roster from the state of Texas and the Lone Star State is especially prominent in the offensive backfield as home to three returning backs on the depth chart: senior David Greene (Dallas), and sophomores Xzaviar Campbell (Houston) and Lexington Thomas (Houston). A Texan, in fact, has led UNLV in rushing in five of the last six seasons. 25 TITLE HERE ony Sanchez is itching for the 2016 college football season to begin. It’s not just understandable optimism from a head coach looking forward to seeing what an increasingly talented team can do that has Thim counting the days. Sanchez, you see, will be happy to hear a lot less reporter questions about making the well-documented jump from high school to college. In the second year of #TheNewEra, he’s ready to talk more about his program. Whether it’s about the impressive staff in place, the tough-nosed roster being built, or the state-of-the-art facilities coming down the pike, Sanchez is happy to discuss the way this program is quickly coming together here in a city that he simply loves. Being only the fifth person in the modern era to jump directly from high school to FBS head coach is merely incidental to a man who has big plans for this university and its football program that was in desperate need of relevancy. What’s more, it would be hard to dispute that it’s been a bright off-season for Sanchez & Co. UNLV signed arguably the best recruiting class in school history (including a Rebel-record 10 three-star recruits). The lone vacancy on the returning staff was quickly filled by a veteran former head coach with proven success. Sanchez even welcomed the largest gift ever designated for UNLV Football at the tune of $2 million. That all fol- lowed a debut campaign that saw at least three wins earned for only the fourth time in the last dozen years, a squad that was winning or within a touchdown in the fourth quarter during all but four outings, and the coveted Fremont Cannon rivalry trophy safely reacquainting itself with the Lied Athletic Complex wearing a fresh coat of Rebel Red paint. “Last year we went out and got people excited, got Las Vegas to notice us,” said Sanchez. “We showed that we would have an unrelenting effort and be entertaining along the way. Now we need to go out and win more football games. We need to get invited to play in a 13th game. Our team has to develop that into being an expectation, not a want.” Typical of any collegiate sport experiencing a culture change – an overhauled roster will mean a young team will take the field this fall. What IS unusual is that such a highly competitive product is already raring to go in just Year Two as even one true off-season for this staff has made a tremendous difference. “We are much more comfortable with where we are at,” Sanchez says. “A year ago we did our best to get through spring practice and then a lot of guys who weren’t even here at that point ended up playing a lot in the fall. Overall, our team speed and strength is already on a completely different level. The second time around we know who we can count on, which you can’t know until you have gone into battle together. It’s going to be a good year around here – let’s go!”
THE OFFENSE Under new offensive coordinator Barney Cotton, the Rebels made a big jump in the rushing department, moving from dead last in the MW in 2014 to 36th in the nation last fall with 193 yards per game on the ground. UNLV also continued its record pace of holding onto the ball, losing just four fumbles. Retaining those two positive qualities will be important while adding a more effective passing game to move the sticks on third down would help fill out the offensive attack moving forward. “On offense, the receiver spot is a big strength for us in experience and consistency and they also have the stats to back it up,” Sanchez said. “We’ll have youth on the O-line. We’ll have the ability to run the ball well like we did last year but we have to get a lot more consistent in the passing game. Part of that will mean being able to keep the same quarterback on the field game-to-game.” STA NTON PALANDECH
26 26 QUARTERBACKS There will be four scholarship signal-callers on the roster this fall with varying degrees of experience. In the spring, TIGHT ENDS all eyes were on former Nebraska signee and 2015 First Team All-America JC transfer Johnny Stanton (6-2, 245, One of the spots critically low on per- JR-TR) as he reunited with some of his former Cornhusker coaches on the Rebels. However, the December signee sonnel when the current staff took over a is still learning the system and the starting job won’t be decided until August. Also vying for No. 1 is returning junior year ago was right here. Team leader Jake Kurt Palandech (6-2, 185, JR-1L – 794 YDS, 9 TD, 49.3 PCT), who started three times in his first year in Las Vegas Phillips graduated but two midyear additions and saw action in nine games overall. The former JC transfer proved proficient with his feet, running for four scores from junior college will put the position in and 293 net yards, but needs to be more effective in the passing game. Redshirt freshman Dalton Sneed (6-0, 195, better overall shape come fall. FR-HS) will look to break into the rotation as will highly coveted and impressively sized signee Armani Rogers (6-5, Big Andrew Price (6-6, 255, SR-3L 210, FR-HS) who once was committed to Cal before becoming UNLV’s highest-rated recruit since ESPN’s rating service -- 17 REC, 173 YDS) is a veteran with an opened for business. NFL body but needs to step up in his final “We all know Kurt can run -- we love his athleticism,” said Sanchez. “He threw the ball in spring a lot better than campaign while both Trevor Kanteman (6-4, he did last year and has gotten bigger and better as he matures. Johnny is the better thrower and got a lot better from 240, JR-TR) and Tim Holt (6-2, 230, JR-TR) the first to the 15th practice. The ball comes off his hand a lot cleaner than anyone else out there, but neither created got their feet wet in the spring. separation. How they manage getting ready for Jackson State will show us their maturity and where they are at head- “Tight end is a spot where we are ing into fall. We expect a separation early in camp. We have a good situation there, especially with Armani coming in to push everyone.” enjoying a big upgrade as far as numbers Sanchez said he has no interest in rotating quarterbacks, something that became necessary last season after go with this three-headed monster,” said persistent injuries suffered by the senior starter. Sanchez. “Price has to be more consistent “We don’t want to be in a two-quarterback situation again,” he said. “There will be a role for whoever is not the but this is a good group overall.” starter to come in an impact games but we don’t want it to be like last year’s constant shuffling. We need to be able to move the chains from the passing game week-in and week-out.” OFFENSIVE LINEMEN Continuing as a question mark in Year Two because of the lack of experienced bodies, the UNLV O-line only lists one senior on its entire depth chart. An infusion of much-needed blocking talent is on the way but will need time to gel at such a critical spot in the lineup. Any discussion about the Rebels’ front must begin with that aforementioned lone senior – center Will Kreitler (6-0, 300, SR-1L). A good midyear get by the brand new staff in December of 2014, Kreitler did not disappoint in his first year on the FBS level. The former Fighting Artichoke from Scottsdale CC was the glue that held together the patch-work offensive line and heads into his final season as an honors candidate after being an honorable mention All-MW selection as a junior. He will be backed up by local product J’Ondray Sanders (6-5, 260, JR-1L), who moves back to the middle after starting 10 games at right tackle a year ago. Speaking of the tackles, still-growing Kyle Saxelid (6-7, 290, JR-2L) has become a fixture on the left side for the Rebels and is another all-conference candidate heading into 2016. Over at right tackle, young Nathan Jacobson (6-5, 290, SO-1L) is back after starting the final two games there as a freshman. Two members of the highly rated recruiting class are pen- PRICE
KREITLER ciled in as backups – Jaron Caldwell (6-4, 315, FR-HS) and Donovan Outlaw (6-3, 290, FR-HS) – along with Reno native FULLBACKS and JC transfer Jacob Becker (6-5, 280, JR-TR). Expect to see the fullback spot more Topping the guards list heading into camp are JC signee involved in 2016 as the Rebels welcome the Michael Chevalier (6-3, 300, JR-TR), who competed in the return of tough-nosed Marc Philippi (5-10, spring on the left side, and prized local recruit Justin Polu 225, SR-1L) who missed the entire season (6-4, 320, FR-RS), who managed to redshirt in Sanchez’s first after suffering an injury during preseason season, on the right. Newbie Julio Garcia (6-3, 305, FR-HS), camp. Another hard-running veteran, David who like Caldwell starred for the national champion Bishop Greene (6-0, 210, SR-3L/69 yards on 11 Gorman program, and fellow-signee Matt Brayton (6-3, 300, carries) will get some time while newcomer FR-HS) will get a long look for the rotation. Tim Holt could also line up here as well as “Will Kreitler is simply the man in the middle,” said the tight end position. Sanchez. “Saxelid is a returning starter and has the ability “It will be great to have Philippi back in to be a leader but needs to be more consistent. Jacobson did the lineup,” said Sanchez, who also coached a nice job in the spring. Polu is young and raw but powerful and can be a special player. Chevalier is a nice addition. the fullback during his high school days at You are going to see a lot of rotations early in camp with Bishop Gorman. “We need his toughness all of these new players but eventually it will mean we will in there after losing some things in our have some depth on the line that we simply did not have schemes when he went out.” SAXELID last year at all.”
27 27 TITLE HERE WIDE RECEIVERS Whichever quarterback candidate ends up starting for the Rebels this season, they already know they’ll be throwing to one of the top receiving groups in the West. Biletnikoff Award can- didate Devonte Boyd (6-1, 180, JR-2L -- 54 REC, 904 YDS, 7 TDS) could vie for Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors after posting the most receiving yards through a sophomore season in school history with 1,884. A unanimous choice for First Team All-MW heading into the season, Boyd posted five 100-yard receiving games last fall despite incon- sistency at the QB spot. While Boyd has been in the spotlight since his freshman All-America season of 2014, his fellow junior standout – Kendal Keys (6-4, 200, JR-2L -- 43 REC, 515 YDS, 6 TDS) had his breakout performance last fall when he had hauled in three touchdowns at Colorado State to start a run of five TDs during the last three games. While there are only seven scholarship receivers on the roster, Boyd and Keys have a bevy of young talent behind them that will push their own performance. Darren Woods Jr. (6-0, 215, FR-RS) was so impressive during spring ball that he is listed as the other starter despite redshirting a year ago. Brandon Presley (6-0, 180, SO-1L -- 3 REC, 28 BOYD YDS, 1 TD) was pushed into playing in 2015 because of the lack of numbers at the position and will be a bigger factor as a sophomore. Meanwhile, a trio of freshman signees will no doubt help immediately and for years to come: Mekhi Stevenson (6-0, 180, FR-HS), Andre Collins (6-4, 200, FR-HS) and Elijah Trosclair (6-2, 185, FR-HS). “Receivers are a big strength for us,” said Sanchez. “Boyd and Keys are great players being pushed by Presley and Woods, who are right there with them talent-wise. We think we will have a couple of the best combos in the conference. We only have seven on scholarship so we may not be able to redshirt any of the new guys.”
RUNNING BACKS The 2015 Rebels spread out the carries among a trio that combined for five 100-yard games. While leading rusher Keith Whitely is no longer with the program, there was already no doubting who would be No. 1 on the depth chart head- ing into fall. Sophomore Lexington Thomas (5-9, 170, SO-1L -- 506 yards, 3 TD) came off the bench a year ago to record three 100-yard efforts, none of which included more than 17 carries. And while his 6.2 yards-per-carry average ranked ninth among all freshman backs in the country with at least 500 yards, it was Thomas’ tenacious running between the tackles this spring that earned him the starting nod. “Lexington is the starter there,” Sanchez said. “He’s our most complete back – catching the ball out of the back- field, running the ball, being explosive. He runs hard and between the tackles a lot better than people think.” The bigger-built half of the “Lex & X Show” is also a returning sophomore. Xzaviar Campbell (5-11, 200, SO-1L) made his own magic at times last season, finishing with 469 yards and a team-high five rushing touchdowns to form a nice compliment to his fellow Houstonian. Awaiting his debut in fall camp is super-speedy Charles Williams (5-10, 175, FR-HS), who was plucked out of Fresno and will get the chance to earn carries as a rookie. THOMAS
THE DEFENSE The first UNLV defense under longtime college coordinator Kent Baer did an admirable job, especially against the run in a rush-happy conference, during the early part of the 2015 season before lack of depth eventually wore down even its top players. Interceptions were way up (13 by 10 different players compared to just seven in 2014), as was defensive scoring (three TDs) but getting to the quarterback more often is job No. 1 for this year’s crew, which returns seven starters, including an intact linebacking corps. “We are more talented and have a lot more depth than last year on defense,” Sanchez said. “We return a lot of guys and lost just two guys who really contributed a lot last year in Sonny Sanitoa and Peni Vea. We have some guys who are going to be able to come in and help this team get going on that side of the ball.”
LINEBACKERS Perhaps the deepest position on the Rebel roster, the linebackers are all back and more help is on the way. Honors candidate Tau Lotulelei (6-1, 235, SR-3L – 70 TT, 11.5 TFL, 3 SCK) is a quiet man who oozes talent but still needs to focus full-time at the weakside position. A jump in consistency would likely result in Lotuelei soon joining his older brother and former Rebel, John Lotulelei, in the NFL. Angling to become a three-year contributor after coming in from JC, Ryan McAleenan (6-2, 220, SR-2L – 85 TT, 3.5 TFL) led the team in tackles a year ago and turned in the biggest defensive play of the year with a pick-six at UNR to help bring home the Cannon. He’ll ably man the middle spot and all that goes with it. On the strongside, Matt Lea (5-10, 220, JR-2L – 26 TT) left spring as the No. 1 but will have to fight off up-and-coming Gabe McCoy (6-2, 205, FR-RS) and fifth-year graduate transferLaKeith Walls (6-2, 235, SR-TR) who used to ply his trade in the Big Ten for Illinois. Also in the mix will be big JC signee Brian Keyes (6-1, 255, JR-TR) and youngster Bailey Laolagi (6-1, 210, SO-1L – 5 TT) who got on the field as a true freshman last year. “We return all three starting linebackers,” Sanchez said. “Tau is the most talented but Ryan is the most accountable. If Tau could show up and give us the constant effort, he’ll be playing as a pro next year. This group LOTULELEI is a big strength.”
28 28 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN The defensive line got a new coach in the form of former New Mexico State and Southeast Missouri head man Tony Samuel, who came back out West after leading the biggest turn- around in college football in the terms of rushing yardage allowed while working at Georgia State in 2015. His task here is to create more sacks as the Rebels finished last in the nation a year ago with just nine. At the ends, Jeremiah Valoaga (6-6, 250, SR-3L – 16 TT, 2.5 SCK) is a potential difference maker for the Rebel attack off the edge while still-raw Antonio Zepeda (6-6, 265, JR-2L – 8 TT) finally seems to have found a permanent home after trying his hand a tight end. Next up are a couple of vets as Mark Finau (6-3, 230, JR-1L – 10 TT, 2 TFL) and Tui Maloata (6-3, 260, SR-2L – 6 TT) look to put up better numbers in Year Two of the system. As for tackles, local product Mike Hughes Jr. (6-2, 315, JR-2L – 23 TT, 3.5 TFL) is a big presence in the middle and a legit candidate for postseason honors while Salanoa-Alo Wily (6-0, 275, SO-1L – 6 TT) could be something special. Dominic Baldwin (6-5, 270, SR-3L – 19 TT) and Jason Fao (6-0, 300, JR-1L – 22 TT) are dependable members of the rotation. VA L OA GA HUGHES “Jeremiah Valoaga is the most explosive, athletic guy on our defense. He can be a game-changer if he is able to stay on the field. He wasn’t with us last spring and then got hurt in the fall so he was slowed. Zepeda is now at a position where he can run and hit and use his athleticism. Hughes is our best hunting dog – a local guy who busts his butt every day – and Wily is still maturing. It’s a group that has to be better and will be better.” DEFENSIVE BACKS The cornerback spot features two potential honors candidates as veteran Torry McTyer (6-0, 195, SR-3L – 50 TT, 10 PBU) seems to be peaking at the right time and Las Vegas super soph Tim Hough (5-11, 195, SO-1L – 32 TT, 4 INT) looks to make an encore after a record-tying freshman campaign that included leading the squad with four picks on the season. Returnee Darius Mouton (5-10, 165, SO-1L – 21 TT) and midyear JC newcomer Robert Jackson (6-2, 2-5, JR-TR) will show up both at corner and nickel. The safety spot lost perennial tackling machine Peni Vea to graduation but boasts a pair of seniors to help keep the position on solid footing – Troy Hawthorne (6-3, 210, SR-3L – 32 TT, 1 INT) at SS and Kenny Keys (6-4, 200, SR-3L – 34 TT, 1 INT) at FS. Others in the mix include returner Dalton Baker (5-11, 185, SO-1L – 5 TT) and redshirts Javin White (6-2, 190, FR-RS) and Evan Austrie (6-0, 200, FR-RS).
MCTYER “Torry McTyer has grown up and busted his tail and could be an all-conference corner. The whole town should rally around Tim Hough – a local guy with all the enthusiasm and effort in the world. Jackson and Mouton are both talented. We’re a little thin at safety. Hawthorne and Keys give great effort but we have to get a little better there this year.” THE SPECIAL TEAMS Perhaps the biggest hole on the roster was created when three-year starting punter Logan Yunker gradu- ated. In response, the Rebs went out and signed a JC booter who can both punt and kick – Evan Pantels (5-10, 180, JR-TR) out of Georgia. At placekicker, senior Nicolai Bornand (6-1, 225, SR-3L – 12-17 FG, 43-44 XP) has a prodigious leg and led the team in scoring a year ago -- but needs to avoid another late-season fade. Former Washington State transfer Joe Lang (6-2, 210, SO-TR) is slated to take over as the team’s long- snapper after sitting out last fall. The return game, meanwhile, is not nearly as set for special teams coordinator Andy LaRussa. There are multiple candidates both returning and arriving. Look for Lexington Thomas to vie for kickoff return duties while Mekhi Stevenson, Jericho Flowers and Tim Hough all will get a shot at taking over punt returns. “We used a scholarship on Evan so we expect him to be our punter but he can also kick,” said Sanchez. “Nico has a great leg but has to be more consistent. As far as returning, we had guys who could catch the ball last year but we have to move beyond that now that we have depth to help on special teams.” BORNAND
THE SCHEDULE The 49th season of UNLV football kicks off Sept. 1 with the Rebels hosting FCS opponent Jackson State for the first time since 1975 as part of a special Thursday night opener. UNLV will then take its two non-conference road trips in back-to-back weeks. The Rebels visit the historic Rose Bowl Stadium for the first time ever to play Pac-12 Conference power UCLA in a return game with the Bruins on Sept. 10, and then travel to Central Michigan one week later to mark UNLV’s first trip to the Mid-American Conference school since 1994. The only back-to-back home games of the fall are up next as Idaho comes to Las Vegas for the first time since 2005 and Fresno State visits one week later in the league lid-lifter. It will mark the first time the Rebels and Bulldogs open conference play against each other since 1985 when both programs were members of the Big West Conference. The Rebels then set out for three road trips in four weeks: at San Diego State on Oct. 8, at Hawai‘i on Oct. 15, home vs. Colorado State on Oct. 22 and then at San José State on Oct. 29. Following the season’s only bye week, Wyoming will come to Sam Boyd Stadium on Nov. 12. The final road game of 2016 will see the Rebels travel to Boise State for the first time since 2012 on Friday Nov. 18 for an ESPN2 telecast. Finally, UNLV will end the regular season by hosting the annual Battle for the Fremont Cannon vs. Nevada, Reno for only the second time in four decades as the annual in-state clash will close out the home slate two days after Thanksgiving.
29 29 STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING Power Behind The Program KEITH BELTON Director of Strength & Conditioning The UNLV Football strength & conditioning program is under the direction of Keith Belton: “It is our job to provide a well-designed, collaborative training program based on sound physiological principles. Sport-specific focus, experimentally proven methods, safe and productive physical training by means of a periodic plan will be our primary emphasis, with the goal of maximizing the physical potential of the student-athlete population. “Our ambition is to provide student-athletes with the best ‘hands-on’ strength and condi- tioning program in the country,” says Belton. “Our objective will be accomplished by discipline, accountability and relentless effort. In all our endeavors, we are com- mitted to the principles of ethical conduct, integrity and excellence.” The Ernie Becker Sr. Strength and Conditioning Center’s 8,500-square- foot deck features all-new free weights, power racks and Olympian platforms. The 1,200-square-foot balcony level offers stretching and cardio areas. The room also features a premium sound system and newly The covered agility drills area features installed kitchen to further enhance 3,000 square feet of artificial turf. the workout experience.
Weight stations cover the all-new state-of-the-art flooring inside the Ernie Becker Sr. Strength & Conditioning Center.
30 EQUIPMENT Rebels Wear Only The Best
Bill Ireland Locker Room
114 custom-made player lockers fill the Bill Ireland Locker Room inside the Lied Athletic Complex.
Nike is the exclusive products supplier and sponsor of UNLV Athletics
VIVA LAS VEGAS! Head Coach Tony Sanchez wasted no time making Las Vegas a prominent part of his team’s look on the field as the Rebels wore two new helmets (red and silver) and three new Nike uniform designs in 2015. This fall, a third helmet (black), sporting the team’s mascot Hey Reb for the first time ever, will enter the mix as there are now 27 different uniform combinations available for the UNLV football team. The words LAS VEGAS are found in UNLV’s custom font along both legs on the white pants whle select diamonds from the iconic Stardust hotel sign -- a nod to the city’s popular Neon Museum Boneyard -- can be seen on the red and black pants. Of course, all three helmets feature a three-inch-wide silver and red chrome version of the world famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign on the back.
31 SPORTS MEDICINE The Finest Care
The Marilyn & Si Redd Sports Medicine Complex sprawls over an 8,500-square- foot area.
KYLE WILSON Assistant AD/Sports Medicine A skylight welcomes natural light Providing the best possible preventative and rehabilitative care, the into the rehabilitation room. UNLV football athletic training staff is headed by Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine Kyle Wilson, who is in his 33rd year at the school. Made possible by a generous gift of $1.5 million from Marilyn and Si Redd, the Lied Athletic Complex’s athletic training facility incorporates the total scope of sports medicine over an 8,500-square-foot area. Aside from five staff offices, a rehabilitation room houses a dozen pieces of equipment including Cybex stationary bicycles, stair machines and treadmills, all under a natural skylight. The largest area features a dozen tables to offer student-athletes various treatments throughout the day. Taping, padding and bracing all take place in another all-inclusive room. Finally, an aquatic therapy room features three above-ground whirl- pools surrounding a 10-feet deep pool for rehabilitative exercises.
An aquatic therapy room includes a rehab pool.
32 TRAINING FACILITY Palatial Practice Park
The Ernie Becker Sr. Football Fields at Bill “Wildcat” Morris Rebel Park
The UBU synthetic sports surface covers two full football fields on campus.
ne of college football’s largest and most impressive areas of its kind, Bill “Wildcat” Morris Rebel Park has been transformed into an athletic showcase over the past decade. In 2010, Oa state-of-the-art UBU synthetic surface was installed at a cost of $700,000. The artificial surface was originally installed in 2002 thanks to a $1 million gift from the family of Ernie Becker Sr. A completely new lighting system soon followed. Also, Bruce Bayne of Peccole Nevada and Ernie Becker Jr. helped develop an all-new grand entrance to the park, complete with pine trees, desert rocks and an archway. The palm-tree-lined area includes two full-sized practice fields. Also, Terry Manley of Champion Homes is responsible for the UNLV Football Manley Corner, which welcomes visitors, staff and student-athletes onto campus and into the heart of Rebel Football.
33 ACADEMICS Record Classroom Success UNLV ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE 2015-MW (9) Brett Boyko, OL Jacob Hales, DL 2001-MW (7) Nicolai Bornand, PK Kenneth Brown, DB Shane Horton, DB Joe Haro, RB Blake Decker, QB Perry Cooper, LB Mario Jeberaeel, OL Kurt Nantkes, QB Mike Hughes Jr., DL Devante Davis, WR Tate Knutson, WR Derek Olsen, DB Will Kreitler, OL Tyler Gaston, DL Evan Marchal, OL Dillon Pieffer, PK Kurt Palandech, QB Daniel Harper, DB Marquel Martin, DB Hubi Schulze Zumkley, PK Andrew Price, TE Tim Hasson, LB Mike McKiski, OL Toby Smeltzer, WR J’Ondray Sanders, OL Chase Lansford, P Sifa Moala, OL Trevan Sorensen, DE Kyle Saxelid, OL Sean Reilly, QB Matt Murphy, OL Anthony Williams, WR Anthony Vidal, TE Richie Plunkett, OL 2000-MW (9) Robert Waterman, OL Ryan Wolfe, WR Bill Cofer, LB 2014-MW (15) Ryan Worthen, TE John Greer, OL UNLV’s football program saw 18 players become eligible to take Taylor Barnhill, TE 2010-MW (12) Ryan Hanson, QB part in 2016’s Spring Commencement Ceremonies on campus. Brett Boyko, OL David Blair, LB 2006-MW (14) Joe Haro, DB Andrew Casey, TE Ian Bobak, DL Rodelin Anthony, WR Joel Menendez, OL Blake Decker, QB Tyler Gaston, DL KC Asiodu, LB Dillon Pieffer, PK ine UNLV football players were named to the 2015 Trent Langham, LB Tim Hasson, LB Chris Butler, TE Nate Rydalch, WR Academic All-Mountain West team. The Rebels have hit Maika Mataele, WR Tate Knutson, WR Tony Cade, DB Toby Smeltzer, DB Brendon Lamers, P Casey Flair, WR Ndouble figures on this list nine of the last 10 seasons. Andrew Oberg, OL Trevan Sorensen, TE Marc Philippi, LB Matt Murphy, OL Jacob Hales, DL The program record-high is 20 set in 2008. The group of Rebels Andrew Price, TE Kjelby Oiland, DL Mario Jeberaeel, OL 1999-MW (11) included one player who earned the honor for the fourth straight Trent Riley, WR Beau Orth, LB Maquel Martin, DB Bill Cofer, LB Kyle Saxelid, OL Aaron Reed, WR Mike McKiski, OL BJ Edwards, FB year: senior wide receiver Anthony Williams. Making his third ap- Jordan Sparkman, DL Travis Trickey, LB Aaron Mueller, C Kris Fisher, TE pearance on the an- Anthony Vidal, TE Aaron Straiten, WR John Greer, OL Siuea Vaesau, DL nual list was junior Robert Waterman, OL Ryan Tillman, DB Joe Haro, RB REBELS ON THE Anthony Williams, WR 2009-MW (17) Ryan Wolfe, WR Blake Livingood, OL tight end Andrew Rodelin Anthony, WR Ryan Worthen, FB Tim O’Reilly, PK UNLV DEAN’S LIST 2015-16 2013-MW (18) Mark Barefield, WR Jason Palmucci, LB Price. Academic ad- David Blair, LB 2005-MW (7) Christian Clapp, WR Eric Noone, OL Taylor Barnhill, TE Danny Pacheco, OL vising for football Efrem Clark, DL Kurt Palandech, QB Tyler Bergsten, TE Omar Clayton, QB Casey Flair, WR Nate Rydalch, WR has helped produce Brett Boyko, OL Mike Donato, OL Jacob Hales, DE Toby Smeltzer, DB Blake Decker, QB Marc Philippi, FB Aaron Criswell, WR John Gianninoto, OL Ryan Heise, DL 213 such honorees Henri Jussila, RB Andrew Price, TE Max Ehlert, LB Kamu Kapanui, LS Jarrod Jackson, QB 1998-WAC (5) since the school Jonathan Leiva, PK Dalton Sneed, QB Tyler Gaston, DL Tate Knutson, WR Kamu Kapanui, FB Kawika Batoon, DB Tim Hasson, LB Andrew Mack, OL Mike McKiski, OL Brandon Ellena, OL joined the Mountain Maika Mataele, WR Marquel Martin, DB Ryan Worthen, FB John Greer, OL West in 1999. In addition, 10 Rebel gridders earned spots Andrew Oberg, OL Matt Murphy, OL Blake Livingood, OL Marc Philippi, LB Beau Orth, LB 2004-MW (8) Tim O’Reilly, PK on the UNLV Dean’s Honor List. UNLV also Andrew Price, TE Ryan Tillman, DB Reggie Butler, LB boasted two CoSIDA Academic All-Region Jerry Rice Jr., WR Travis Trickey, LB Tyler Crandal, OL 1997-WAC (8) honorees in the same year for the first Brian Roth, OL Shane Watterson, OL Michael Freund, TE Kawika Batoon, DB Jordan Sparkman, DL Ryan Wolfe, WR Tim Goins, OL Rob Bone, QB time ever as senior quarterback Blake Siuea Vaesau, DL Doug Zismann, OL Mike McKiski, OL Brandon Ellena, OL Decker and sophomore defensive line- Matt Viñal, DB Kurt Nantkes, QB John Greer, OL Robert Waterman, OL 2008-MW (20) Hubi Schulze Zumkley, PK Tim O’Reilly, PK man Mike Hughes Jr. were both voted Anthony Williams, WR Rodelin Anthony, WR Ryan Welter, LB Mac Smith, OL to the prestigious team. Omar Clayton, QB Chad Reed, QB 2012-MW (18) C.J. Cox, RB 2003-MW (10) Mike Reily, OL Trent Allmang-Wilder, DL Mike Donato, OL Reggie Butler, LB Taylor Barnhill, TE Casey Flair, WR Ryan Claridge, LB 1996-WAC (3) Tyler Bergsten, TE Jacob Hales, DL Tyler Crandal, OL Rob Bone, QB Brett Boyko, OL Ben Jaekle, PK Larry Croom, RB Mike Reily, OL Kenneth Brown, DB Mario Jeberaeel, OL Chris Eagen, DE Mac Smith, OL Perry Cooper, LB Kamu Kapanui, LS Michael Freund, TE Max Ehlert, LB Terrance Lee, DB Kurt Nantkes, QB 1995-BIG WEST (3) Tyler Gaston, DL Evan Marchal, OL David Olsen, DB Rob Bone, QB Tim Hasson, LB Matt Murphy, OL Derek Olsen, DB Mike Reily, OL Max Johnson, TE Beau Orth, LB Dillon Pieffer, PK David White, TE Maika Mataele, WR Phillip Payne, WR Andrew Oberg, OL Deante’ Purvis, DB 2002-MW (9) 1994-BIG WEST (4) Aaron Reed, TE Martin Tevaseu, DL Bill Cofer, LB Brad Faunce, P Brian Roth, OL Ryan Tillman, DB Larry Croom, RB Darin Lovat, OL Nick Sherry, QB Ryan Wolfe, WR Michael Freund, TE Howard McGowan, OL Jordan Sparkman, DL Rusty Worthen, LB Joe Haro, RB David White, TE Robert Waterman, OL Ryan Worthen, RB Kurt Nantkes, QB Anthony Williams, WR David Olsen, DB 1993-BIG WEST (4) 2007-MW (16) Derek Olsen, LB Brad Faunce, P 2011-MW (13) Rodelin Anthony, WR Toby Smeltzer, WR Howard McGowan, OL Trent Allmang-Wilder, DL Omar Clayton, QB Chameion Sutton, DB Jonathan Perez, RB Taylor Barnhill, QB Casey Flair, WR David White, QB John Gianninoto, OL Before heading to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, star wide receiver Devante Davis graduated early from UNLV in just 3.5 years. 34 IN THE COMMUNITY Rebels With A Cause NLV and its student-athletes are committed to success both on and off the fields of play. Rebel players have the opportunity to become more involved Umembers of the Southern Nevada community. Through interaction with charitable organiza- tions, local schools, hospitals and vari- ous youth events, the Rebels have become increasingly positive role models. Each year, the athletics de- partment’s effort in Nevada Reading Week translates into dozens of area schools being visited by nearly a 100 athletes, coaches and staff. Other programs the Rebels have recently taken part in include holiday food drives, Child Haven’s holiday party, Communities in Schools, the Santa Clothes program, KLUC Toy Drive, Opportunity Village’s Santa Run and Joy Prom.
UNLV BOASTS FOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE ALL-AMERICANS SINCE 2002 UNLV wide receiver Casey Flair was one of only 11 players in the nation named to the 2007 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division I-A Good Works Team. The Alaska native became the fourth Rebel in six years selected to the prestigious collection of student-athletes that has been honored for its performance off the field since 1991. Former UNLV lineman Tony Terrell (Lawndale, CA) was the program’s first-ever honoree in 2002 and two-time All-American safetyJamaal Brimmer (Las Vegas) earned the nod in 2004. Las Vegas native Leon Moore was honored in 2005. Nominated by their school’s sports information directors and voted on by an AFCA committee, successful candidates must be heavily involved in working for charity and/or service to their community.
A group of Rebels (above photo) had the honor of helping out at Las Vegas’ Joy Prom while players take part each year in the Las Vegas Bowl Youth Clinic (top photo). Some Rebels helped Nevada SPCA rep Magic get ready to compete in Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XII (below).
Flair Moore
Brimmer Terrell
35 EMBRACING LAS VEGAS One-Of-A-Kind Design am Boyd Stadium underwent a $1.2 million renovation on its field level during the summer of 2015 that included a new $800,000 playing surface. Two rows of seats on both the West and East sides were eliminated to create a wider field and a new offi- Scial stadium capacity for football of 35,500. The highlight of the project, however, was the installation of a new football field for the first time since 2003. The state-of-the-art, 100-percent Made in the USA, SPRINTURF synthetic surface features a shockpad for player safety. Given the advantages of a blank green canvas with no sewn-in markings, UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez looked to go bold with the program’s new field design and the Vegas-themed look made national news when the rendering was released in August. The world-famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign makes an appearance in the black end zones along with “REBELS” in red. Yardage numbers are displayed in a unique retro Las Vegas font and lay atop red and gray diamonds made famous in the iconic old Stardust hotel sign. The 50-yard-line markers are gray sunbursts taken from the top of the aforementioned Las Vegas sign. Finally, a gray strip borders the entire field. The entire design, including the Mountain West Conference logos and midfield UNLV primary logo, is painted by stadium personnel in the final weeks leading uptokickoff.
“Las Vegas is so important to our University and our football program wants to be a big part of the Las Vegas community. We are fortunate to live in one of the world’s great destinations and these innovative designs are one of the ways we will proudly represent our city.” --Head Coach Tony Sanchez
“In a short time, Sanchez has created a buzz for UNLV sports that hasn’t been around maybe since Jerry Tarkanian and the basketball team took the city by fast break.” --Associated Press
“The response locally and nationally has been almost universally positive and it continues the extra focus Sanchez has brought to the program.” --Las Vegas Sun
“It’s going to be pretty hard to top the latest that UNLV has created.” --NCAA.com
36
HEAD COACH TONY SANCHEZ
THE SANCHEZ FILE EDUCATION New Mexico State University, 2003 Master’s degree in special education New Mexico State University, 1998 Bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science Laney College (Oakland, CA), 1994 Associate Degree in General Studies PLAYING EXPERIENCE 1994-95 New Mexico State – Lettered two years at wide receiver 1992-93 Laney College – Lettered two years at wide receiver PERSONAL DATA Name: Tony Sanchez Birthdate: Jan. 25, 1974 Birthplace: Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, Calif. Wife: Tessie Children: Daughter, Alyssa (15) Son, Jason (12)
Tony Sanchez, who built a national powerhouse at Las Vegas’ Bishop Gorman High School, is now well on his way to creating another consistent winner in town as the 11th head coach in UNLV football history. Named to the job by UNLV Director of Athletics Tina Kunzer- Murphy on Dec. 11, 2014, Sanchez guided the Rebels to three victories in his first season, which marked only the fourth time in the last 12 years that the program won more than two games. The first Rebel coach to win at least three times in his first season since Hall of Famer John Robinson in 1999, Sanchez’s debut season was highlighted by defeating in-state rival Nevada, Reno on the road and bringing home the famed Fremont Cannon to the UNLV campus. Under the new staff, the Rebels also became competitive on a near-weekly basis, either leading or trailing by just a touchdown during the fourth quarter in nine of their 12 games. Sanchez, who turned 42 in January, became a rising star in coaching circles after spending the previous six seasons leading Bishop Gorman to an overall record of 85-5 and six consecutive state 4A championships to go with a top-25 national ranking each year. His 2014 top-ranked Gaels squad finished 15-0 and won the mythical national championship. “I’m fired up and ready to create excitement in the Las Vegas community and make the Rebels everybody’s football team,” Sanchez said on the day he was hired. “UNLV is a great university. With this community’s help, we’re going to make it a great football place.” Sanchez was well decorated for his efforts in his final season with the Gaels, being named USA TODAY’s All-USA Coach of the Year as well as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl National Coach of the Year and the Rawlings National High School Coach of the Year. His overall record as a head coach was 120-26 after having
38 HEAD COACH TONY SANCHEZ also spent five seasons leading California High School in San “We are delighted to welcome Tony Sanchez as the head Roman, Calif., before coming to Southern Nevada. He also was football coach at UNLV,” Kunzer-Murphy said. “We aren’t changing part of staffs at Onate High School in Las Cruces, N.M., and Irvin the coach of our program, we are changing our program. In Las High School in El Paso, Texas. Vegas, we aren’t afraid to take a bold approach to responding The winning head coach at the 2014 All-American Bowl in San to challenges and this qualifies. We have been talking about Antonio, Sanchez saw 41 of his players earn collegiate football changing the entire culture of this program and that’s what this scholarships during his time in Las Vegas, including 31 to FBS announcement signifies. With the support of the University and of programs. Now he has attracted national attention as only the our community, we are confident Tony Sanchez is the right person fifth man in the modern era of college football to go from the high to make a lasting change in UNLV Football.” school level directly to the position of head coach of an FBS team. Sanchez’s first major statement as the leader of the Rebels was to quickly attract a top-notch, experienced staff that was highlighted by Nebraska offensive coordinator Barney Cotton and Colorado defensive coordinator Kent Baer. “I’m excited about this staff because of the years of experience and also the success that they’ve had in their careers,” Sanchez said. “Bringing this group of gentlemen in not only gives us excellent football coaches but also great mentors to our kids and people who will represent this University in a positive way.” Dividends from the impressive list of assistants joining Sanchez began immediately as just over a month later, the group secured a recruiting class that was ranked in the upper half of the Mountain West Conference by multiple national outlets. One year later, the Rebels’ class was one of the program’s best ever as it included a school-record 10 three-star signees. One of the youngest head coaches on the FBS level, Sanchez is a 1992 graduate of Granada High School in Livermore, Calif. A decorated two-way player, he went on to become a standout receiver at Laney College in Oakland before transferring to New Mexico State. He would letter two seasons for the Aggies The Sanchez Family (L to R): Tony, Jason, Tessie and Alyssa. and finished his senior campaign with 42 receptions for 546 yards, including grabbing five passes for 80 yards at Sam Boyd Stadium when he played against UNLV on Nov. 18, 1995. His first taste of coaching came the next season when he served as an SANCHEZ’S COACHING EXPERIENCE undergraduate assistant at his alma mater. 2015-SA UNLV – Head Coach The son of a career policeman in the Oakland area, Sanchez 2009-14 Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas) – Head Coach, Offensive Coord. was born Jan. 25, 1974, at Travis Air Force Base in California 2004-08 California High School (San Ramon, CA) – Head Coach, Offensive Coord. while his father was serving in the military. He earned a bachelor’s 2003 Onate High School (Las Cruces, NM) – Defensive Coord., Defensive Backs degree in family and consumer science from NMSU in 1998 and 2001-02 Onate High School (Las Cruces, NM) – Defensive Backs then his master’s in special education in 2003. He and his wife, 2000 Irvin High School (El Paso, TX) – Wide Receivers Tessie, have two children: daughter, Alyssa, and son, Jason. 1998 Onate High School (Las Cruces, NM) – Wide Receivers 1996 New Mexico State – Undergraduate Assistant – Offense
SANCHEZ’S UNLV RECORD YEAR SCHOOL OVERALL CONF POSTSEASON 2015 UNLV 3-9 2-6 TOTAL 1 YEAR 3-9 (.250) 2-6
SANCHEZ’S BISHOP GORMAN RECORD YEAR SCHOOL OVERALL POSTSEASON 2014 Bishop Gorman 15-0* 4A State Champions 2013 Bishop Gorman 13-2 4A State Champions 2012 Bishop Gorman 13-1 4A State Champions 2011 Bishop Gorman 16-0 4A State Champions 2010 Bishop Gorman 13-2 4A State Champions 2009 Bishop Gorman 15-0 4A State Champions TOTAL 6 YEARS 85-5 (.944) *Team Voted National Champion By Multiple Entities
Tony Sanchez led Bishop Gorman to an undefeated season and national championship in 2014. (Photo by Greg Cava) 39 ASSISTANT COACHES KENT BAER BARNEY COTTON Defensive Coordinator Offensive Coordinator Linebackers Tight Ends
A well-established leader in the coaching Veteran coach Barney Cotton came to UNLV profession, Kent Baer came to UNLV in last year after serving as interim head coach 2015 after completing his second season as at Nebraska to close the 2014 season. He defensive coordinator and linebackers coach led the Huskers into the Holiday Bowl after at Colorado in the Pac-12 Conference. having spent his eighth overall season on the In fact, UNLV is the 10th FBS program Nebraska staff as associate head coach, run at which Baer is serving as defensive game coordinator and TE/OL coach. coordinator, as he held that title for 29 combined seasons at, in order, Utah Cotton helped the Huskers finish in the top 20 nationally in rushing State, Idaho, California, Arizona State, Stanford, Notre Dame, Washington, in each of his last five years, while producing a 1,000-yard rusher for six San Jose State and Colorado. During his time in South Bend, Baer was straight seasons. one of five finalists for the 2002 Broyles Award, presented to the nation’s Cotton owns nearly two decades of experience as a collegiate head top assistant. coach or offensive coordinator. After stops at St. Cloud State and Hastings He has coached under several of the game’s outstanding head College (as head coach), he became an offensive coordinator at the FBS coaches, including Bruce Snyder (at Utah State, Cal and Arizona State), level for the first time at New Mexico State (1997-2002) before serving in Tyrone Willingham (Stanford, Notre Dame and the same position at Nebraska in 2003. He stayed in the Big 12 Conference Washington) and Dick Tomey (SJSU). from 2004-06, spending three seasons as coordinator for Iowa State before A veteran of nine bowl games, Baer returning to Lincoln to begin his most recent stint twice served as interim head coach in the in 2008. postseason, winning the 2012 Military Bowl Cotton played under the legendary Tom while leading SJSU and losing the 2004 Osborne at Nebraska from 1975-78 and was Insight Bowl while leading Notre Dame. a third round NFL pick by Cincinnati, playing a A native of Utah, he was a standout season for the Bengals and three more for the linebacker at Utah State and St. Louis Cardinals. He earned his bachelor’s earned his bachelor’s degree degree from Nebraska in 1983 and his from the school in 1973. master’s from St. Cloud State in He has three adult sons, 1994. Brian, Aaron James (A.J.) and Cotton and his wife, Christine, Steven; A.J. was a graduate have three sons, Ben, Jake and assistant on the 2012 San Sam. Ben, who played for the Jose State staff and the 2014 Huskers in 2012, joined his CU staff. Baer also has three father at UNLV as a graduate grandchildren. assistant coach. Jake finished his career at Nebraska in 2014. Sam will be a senior at tight end Education: for the Huskers in 2016. Utah State, 1973 – bachelor’s degree in physical education and recreation Playing Experience: Education: Utah State, 1970-72 – linebacker Nebraska, 1983 – bachelor’s degree in science Coaching Experience: St. Cloud State, 1994 – master’s degree in athletic administration 2015-SA UNLV – defensive coordinator/linebackers Playing Experience: 2013-14 Colorado – defensive coord./linebackers St. Louis, 1980-82 – offensive line 2010-12 San Jose State – defensive coord./linebackers Cincinnati, 1979 – offensive line 2008-09 San Jose State – linebackers Nebraska, 1975-1978 – offensive/defensive line 2005-07 Washington – defensive coordinator Coaching Experience: 2002-04 Notre Dame – defensive coordinator 2015-SA UNLV – offensive coordinator/tight ends 1999-2001 Stanford – defensive coordinator 2008-14 Nebraska – assoc. HC/run game coord./TE/OL 1995-98 Stanford – linebackers 2007 Ames (Iowa) High School – assistant coach 1992-94 Arizona State – defensive coordinator 2004-06 Iowa State – offensive coord./offensive line 1987-91 California – defensive coordinator 2003 Nebraska – offensive coord./offensive line 1986 Idaho – defensive coordinator 1997-2002 New Mexico St. – asst. head coach/off. coord. 1983-85 Utah State – defensive coord./def. backs 1995-96 Hastings College – head coach 1977-82 Utah State – outside linebackers 1989-1994 St. Cloud St. – off. coord./off. line 1973-76 Yokouska Seahawks (U.S. Navy) – head coach UNLV Recruiting Areas: UNLV Recruiting Areas: Las Vegas/Reno/Arizona Utah/San Diego/Orange County
40 ASSISTANT COACHES JAMIE CHRISTIAN CEDRIC CORMIER Running Backs Recruiting Coordinator Wide Receivers Second-year Rebel running backs coach Jamie Christian came to UNLV after serving The lone holdover from the previous as the special teams coordinator and inside coaching staff, Cedric Cormier (pronounced receivers and tight ends coach at Houston. “cor-MEER”) is in his seventh season In 2015, three Rebel backs combined for overseeing the Rebel receivers. five 100-yard rushing efforts as the team Cormier recruited and then tutored made a dramatic improvement on the ground, record-setting wide receiver Devante Davis, finishing 36th in the nation. who in 2013 shattered the school mark for In 2013, Christian’s special teams at UH earned three honors from The touchdown catches in a year with 14 to go with 87 receptions (one off the American Athletic Conference as freshman Demarcus Ayers was named school record) and 1,290 yards (second-most in program history). Davis the league’s Co-Special Teams Player of the Year and was named to The finished his career with 2,785 receiving yards (second-most in program American’s first team while Richie Leone was named second team. history) and 22 touchdowns (third-most in school history). Christian’s other unit, inside receivers, received postseason accolades Cormier currently coaches 2014 Freshman All-America and Mountain in 2013 as well. Deontay Greenberry was named to The American’s first West Freshman of the Year Devonte Boyd, who re-wrote the school’s team as he led the league with an average of 100.2 receiving yards per record book for rookie receivers and has more yards through his game and was second with 11 receiving touchdowns. Greenberry was sophomore season than any Rebel in history. second in The American with five 100-yard games. Cormier came to the desert after serving in the same capacity at Before joining the Cougars in 2012, Christian spent five seasons Miami (Ohio) University for the 2009 season. Previous to that Cormier coaching the special teams, running backs, tight ends and inside receivers coached future NFL wideout and second team All-American Marc Mariani at Arizona State of the Pac-12 Conference, including mentoring 2007 Lou at Montana. Prior to joining the Grizzlies, Cormier was an assistant coach Groza Award winner Thomas Weber. at Baytown Lee (Texas) Christian also tutored ASU’s Gerell Robinson, one of college football’s High School for two top pass-catchers in 2011, making 77 receptions for 1,397 yards and seasons after starting seven scores. his coaching career at Christian was an assistant coach for the Sun Devils from 2007- Channelview (Texas) 11 after previous stops at Idaho (2006), Sacramento State (2005) and High School in 2004. Northern Arizona (2002). He also served as the defensive quality While at Channelview he control coach for the San Francisco 49ers from coached future Chicago 2003-04. Bear wide receiver A former fullback at Johnny Knox. Fresno State and Central Cormier, a native of Washington, Christian has Houston, was a four-year strong recruiting ties to letterman as a receiver California, Houston and at Colorado from 1997- Louisiana and was named 2001. to Rivals’ top recruiters list He earned his in 2013. bachelor’s degree in communications from Colorado in 2002. He Education: has a son, Deon, and a Central Washington, 1999 – daughter, Danielle. bachelor’s degree in law and justice Playing Experience: Central Washington, 1995 – fullback Education: Fresno State, 1990-93 – fullback Colorado, 2002 – Coaching Experience: bachelor’s degree in communications 2015-SA UNLV – running backs Playing Experience: 2012-14 Houston – ST coord./tight ends/inside receivers Colorado, 1997-2001 – wide receiver 2007-11 Arizona State – s.t. coord./inside receivers Coaching Experience: 2006 Idaho – ST coord./running backs 2010-SA UNLV – wide receivers 2005 Sacramento State – running backs 2009 Miami (Ohio) – wide receivers 2003-04 San Francisco 49ers – def. quality control 2007-08 Montana – wide receivers 2002 Northern Arizona – cornerbacks 2005-06 Baytown Lee High School – assistant coach 2000-01 Oregon State – def. graduate assistant 2004 Channelview High School – assistant coach UNLV Recruiting Areas: UNLV Recruiting Areas: Stockton/Modesto/Sacramento/Houston Inland Empire/Houston
41 ASSISTANT COACHES JOHN GARRISON ANDY LARUSSA Offensive Line Special Teams Coordinator Run Game Coordinator Safeties
Second-year offensive line coach and run Andy LaRussa is one of two former UNLV game coordinator John Garrison came to staffers to return to coach in the secondary UNLV after completing his four seasons as for Tony Sanchez and is serving as safeties a University of Nebraska assistant, serving coach/defensive pass game coordinator/ as the offensive line coach for the Huskers special teams coordinator. through their appearance in the Holiday LaRussa spent the previous two seasons Bowl against USC. at Colorado, overseeing the cornerbacks in During his first season in Las Vegas, the Rebel line helped the team 2014 and the defensive ends in 2013. post a dramatic improvement in the run game, finishing 36th in the nation He moved to Boulder after two seasons at San Jose State, coaching in yards per game and producing Honorable Mention All-MW center Will the cornerbacks and serving as assistant special teams coordinator for Kreitler. the Spartans. In Lincoln, his offensive line paved the way for I-back Ameer Abdullah His first assistant job came at Northern Arizona in 2009-10 after to earn second team All-America honors in 2014 after compiling 1,523 spending four seasons as a defensive graduate assistant for the Rebels yards and 18 scores on the ground. That followed a 2013 season of 1,690 from 2005-08 under head coach Mike Sanford. During his first stop in yards. Las Vegas, LaRussa worked with the linemen, linebackers and secondary A former Husker lineman himself, Garrison was the starting center while also serving as assistant special teams coordinator, assistant video for the 2001 squad that made an appearance in the BCS National coordinator and assistant strength and conditioning coach. Championship Game and snapped to Heisman LaRussa played for two seasons at Trophy winning quarterback Eric Crouch. Glendale (Calif.) College before transferring Garrison joined the Nebraska to Southern Utah, where he earned his staff after spending four years at Blue bachelor’s degree in 2002. He played Springs (Mo.) High School as an professionally for a brief time with the assistant coach and special education Ostia Marines of NFL teacher. Garrison served as the Italy and also was a offensive line coach and run member of the Italian game coordinator. National Team. He holds A native of Blue dual citizenship in the Springs, Garrison United States and Italy. graduated Born in Reno, from Nebraska LaRussa graduated from with a degree St. Francis High School, in secondary where he lettered in education in football, basketball and 2003. He and his baseball. wife, Jamie, have He is married to two daughters, former Rebel softball Lily and Valerie, player Briana Bernardi and a son, Jack. and the couple welcomed daughter, Giana Rose earlier this year.
Education: Education: Southern Utah, 2002 – Nebraska, 2003 – bachelor’s degree in physical education bachelor’s degree in secondary education Playing Experience: Playing Experience: Southern Utah, 2000-01 – linebacker/defensive end Nebraska, 1999-2002 – offensive line Glendale (Calif.) College, 1998-99 – linebacker/defensive end Coaching Experience: Coaching Experience: 2015-SA UNLV – run game coordinator/offensive line 2015-SA UNLV – special teams coordinator/safeties 2013-14 Nebraska – offensive line 2013-14 Colorado – defensive ends 2011-12 Nebraska – assistant offensive line & tight ends 2011-12 San Jose State – cornerbacks/asst. s.t. coord. 2008-10 Nebraska – football intern 2009-10 Northern Arizona – cornerbacks/special teams 2005-07 Blue Springs (Mo.) High School – assistant coach 2005-08 UNLV – defensive, special teams graduate asst. UNLV Recruiting Areas: UNLV Recruiting Area: Orange County/Seattle Inland Empire/Los Angeles/Hawaii 42 ASSISTANT COACHES RON O’DELL TONY SAMUEL Quarterbacks Defensive Line
Ron O’Dell joined head coach Tony Veteran football coach Tony Samuel was hired Sanchez in coming to UNLV from national in February to oversee the UNLV defensive line. powerhouse high school program Samuel comes to Las Vegas after spending Bishop Gorman. He coaches the Rebels’ last season at Georgia State, where he helped quarterbacks after having served in that produce a significant improvement on defense same role for the top-ranked Gaels since for the Panthers, who went to the first bowl 2009. game in program history. In fact, Georgia State O’Dell’s top pupils for the powerhouse led the nation both in improvement for rushing program included Anu Solomon, who yards allowed per game, a full 122.3 yards less passed for 3,458 yards as a freshman at Arizona in 2014, and Randall than the previous season. Cunningham II, who is on a track scholarship at USC. Samuel boasts 16 years of head coaching experience: eight with New In 2014, O’Dell coached Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year Tate Mexico State (1997-2004) and eight with Southeast Missouri State (2006-13). Martell, who led Bishop Gorman to an undefeated record and No. 1 national Samuel earned his first head coaching opportunity after an 11-year stint ranking while throwing 40 touchdowns against just two interceptions. coaching the outside linebackers and rush ends at Nebraska, his alma mater, O’Dell was also the position coach of Aaron Rodgers while both were under legendary head coach Tom Osborne. at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, Calif. During Samuel’s 11 seasons at Nebraska, the Cornhuskers won back- The California native prepped at Alhambra High School in Martinez, to-back national titles in 1994 and 1995, captured seven Big Eight/Big 12 Calif., and led the Bulldogs to back-to-back undefeated seasons as Conference championships, averaged 10 wins per year and played in 11 bowl the team’s quarterback in 1990-91, finishing his prep career with an games. He mentored six first team All-Americans and 12 future National Football undefeated record. O’Dell went on to play two years at Los Medanos League players, including first-round draft picks Broderick Thomas (1989), Mike Junior College in Pittsburg, Calif. earning time at quarterback and wide Croel (1991), Trev Alberts (1994) and Grant Wistrom (1998). receiver for the Mustangs He began his coaching career by spending two seasons as an assistant O’Dell earned his bachelor’s degree from coach at Western Michigan (1982-83) and then two years at Stanford (1984-85), Chico State in 2001 and went on to serve as a tutoring the defensive line at both graduate assistant coach at schools. He also served one year University of Redlands and (2005) as ends coach at Purdue. then Illinois. Samuel played four years at He is the cousin of Nebraska and was a member of former UNLV quarterback Osborne’s first recruiting class. He and current Minnesota was a two-year starter at defensive Vikings quarterbacks end, played in four bowl games. coach Scott Turner. He earned his bachelor’s He and his wife, degree in education from Nebraska Stephanie, have two sons: in 1981. boys: Jordan and Landon. A native of Trinidad, West Indies, Samuel moved to New Jersey at the age of 10. He and his wife, Diane, have four children and two grandchildren.
Education: Nebraska, 1978 – bachelor’s degree in education Playing Experience: Education: Nebraska, 1985-88 – defensive line Chico State, 2001 – Coaching Experience: bachelor’s degree in liberal studies 2016-SA UNLV – defensive line Playing Experience: 2015 Georgia State – defensive line Los Medanos Junior College, 1993-94 – quarterback/wide receiver 2014 Georgia State – outside linebackers Coaching Experience: 2006-13 Southeast Missouri State – head coach 2015-SA UNLV – quarterbacks 2005 Purdue – defensive ends 2009-14 Bishop Gorman High School – quarterbacks 1997-2004 New Mexico State – head coach 2003-05 Illinois – graduate assistant 1986-96 Nebraska – defensive ends/outside linebackers 2002 Redlands – graduate assistant 1984-85 Stanford – defensive line 1999-2001 Pleasant Valley (Calif.) High School – asst. coach 1982-83 Western Michigan – defensive line UNLV Recruiting Areas: UNLV Recruiting Areas: Northern California Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo/Ventura/Oxnard 43 ASSISTANT COACHES J.D. WILLIAMS KEITH BELTON Cornerbacks Director of Strength & Conditioning
Former NFL player J.D. Williams is in his Former NFL player Keith Belton came to second season of his second stint at UNLV. UNLV to lead the football program’s strength He returned to Las Vegas after serving as the and conditioning program after spending the defensive backs coach and special teams 2014 season as assistant strength coach at coordinator at Georgia State. USC. He was an assistant with the Rebels He moved to the Trojans with Steve from 2010-12 and served as the defensive Sarkisian, when he was hired from coordinator in his final season. Williams has Washington, where Belton spent two seasons also been an assistant coach at Utah (2008), as an assistant strength coach. Washington (2006-08), California (2002-05), Fresno State (2000-01), Prior to his stop with the Huskies, Belton spent time at Baylor as an Cal Poly (1999) and San Jose State (1998). Assistant Director of Athletic Performance. His primary responsibilities Williams was a standout cornerback for Fresno State and earned were football, where he worked with Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin second team All-America honors. He was the 16th overall draft choice III, cross country and men’s golf and also assisted with the men’s tennis, by the Buffalo in the 1990 NFL draft and went on to play in four Super softball and volleyball programs. Bowls with the Bills. He also played for the Cardinals and the 49ers The North Carolina native got his start in coaching at Division II before his career ended after the 1996 season. Johnson C. Smith University, serving as the team’s running backs coach Familiar with the Mountain West, Williams came from the University as well as its strength and conditioning coordinator. of Utah in 2010 to serve as UNLV’s assistant head coach, pass defense Belton is a graduate of Syracuse University were he served as the coordinator and defensive backs coach. Williams coached the Ute captain of the football team his senior year. Upon graduation he enjoyed cornerbacks in 2009 as the team ranked 17th in the nation in pass a four-year NFL career, playing for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and defense and went on to a Poinsettia Bowl victory. Denver Broncos. He joined Utah after seven years working in Pac-10 secondaries He holds certifications from The Collegiate Strength and Conditioning (2006-08 at Washington and 2002-2005 at California). Prior to Coaches Association and was a winner of the prestigious Stucky Award that, Williams served two given to the individuals who excelled during the practical section of the seasons as secondary exam. coach at his alma mater, Belton and his wife, Shantre, have a son, Peyton. Fresno State, from 2000- 01. Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology from Fresno State in 1997. He and his wife, Jamie, have four children: Nicole, Kyra, Zoe and David.
Education: Fresno State, 1997– bachelor’s degree in criminology Playing Experience: San Francisco 49ers, 1996 – defensive back Arizona Cardinals, 1994 – defensive back Education: Buffalo Bills, 1990-93 – defensive back Syracuse, 2004 – Fresno State, 1986-89 – defensive back bachelor’s degree in science Coaching Experience: Playing Experience: 2015-SA UNLV – cornerbacks Georgia Force, 2008 – fullback 2013-14 Georgia State – defensive backs/special teams Denver Broncos, 2006-07 – fullback 2012 UNLV – defensive coordinator/defensive backs Chicago Bears, 2004-06 – fullback 2010-11 UNLV – asst. HC/pass def. coord./def. backs Detroit Lions, 2004 – fullback 2009 Utah – cornerbacks Syracuse, 2001-03 – fullback 2006-08 Washington – defensive backs Northeast Mississippi CC, 2000 – running back Coaching Experience: 2002-05 California – defensive backs 2015-SA UNLV – director, strength & conditioning 2000-01 Fresno State – secondary 2014 USC – asst. strength & conditioning coach 1999 San Jose State – defensive backs 2012-13 Washington – asst. strength & conditioning coach 1998 Cal Poly – defensive backs 2010-11 Baylor – asst. strength & conditioning coach 1997 Fresno State – graduate assistant 2009 Wake Forest – strength & conditioning intern UNLV Recruiting Areas: 2009 Johnson C. Smith – running backs/strength & conditioning intern 44 Long Beach/Los Angeles/Fresno/Bakersfield SUPPORT STAFF CODY GREEN BEN COTTON Graduate Assistant Coach - Defense Graduate Assistant Coach - Offense
Cody Green is in his second season at UNLV. A Ben Cotton is in his second season as a UNLV standout quarterback in high school, he started graduate assistant in 2016. Cotton, who is the his collegiate career at Nebraska. In 2009, he son of Rebels’ offensive coordinator Barney was the first true freshman QB to start a game for Cotton was a standout tight end at the University the Huskers since Tommy Frazier in 1992. After of Nebraska. He was a four-year letterwinner playing in 18 games, including four starts, Green for Huskers and earned multiple academic and transferred to Tulsa, where he led the Golden Hur- athletic honors during his tenure in Lincoln. The ricane to a 2012 Liberty Bowl victory over Iowa Ames, Iowa, native was a three-year standout State. In 2013 he finished his collegiate career at Ames High School and was the team’s only with more than 4,500 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. The native of Dayton, two-way starter, also lining up at defensive end. Cotton earned his bachelor’s Texas, earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulsa in business management. Green degree from Nebraska in business administration. spent the 2014 season coaching TEs at Bishop Gorman under Tony Sanchez. TYNAN MURRAY DAVID ORLOFF Graduate Assistant Coach - Offense Graduate Assistant Coach - Defense
Tynan Murray is in his first season at UNLV after David Orloff is in his second season as a UNLV joining the program in February. Murray came graduate asssitant in 2016. Orloff earned his to Las Vegas after recently serving as the wide bachelor’s degree from San Jose State in mathe- receivers coach at Palomar College in San Mar- matics in 2015 after serving as an undergraduate cos, California. The 2013 graduate of Western assistant coach for the Spartans for five seasons. Illinois earned his bachor’s degree in general During games and practices, he assisted with studies with a minor in kinesiology. The two- signaling plays as well as relaying messages to sport athlete played football and participated players. He also assisted with film breakdown on the track team for the Leathernecks. Prior to heading to WIU, Murray played and scouting reports. Orloff also spent time as football at Palomar College. a Varsity Summer Football Camp Coach at Trabuco Hills High School. UNLV TEAM PHYSICIANS UNLV SUPPORT STAFF
Dr. William Rosenberg Dr. Michael Miao Dr. Greg Bigler Drew Jennison Jeff Eaton Head Team Physician/ Team Physician/ Orthopedics Asst. Recruiting Coordinator Asst. Director Strength and Conditioning Medical Director Orthopedics
David Wedley Tausha Smith Dr. Michael Webberson Dr. Keith Kohorst Dr. Daniel Orr Dir., Student-Athlete Academic Services Asst. AD of Equipment/Purchasing Dentist Optometrist Maxillofacial
Kelli McGinnis Kris Giese Dr. Joseph Yu Dr. Albert Capanna Dr. Craig Hamilton Asst. Director of Ticketing Director of Ticketing Neurosurgeon Orthopedics Optometrist 45 SUPPORT STAFF DENNIS SLUTAK KYLE WILSON Director of Football Operations Asst. AD, Sports Medicine Entering his second season, Dennis Slutak Kyle Wilson begins his 33rd year on UNLV’s brought operations experience from three stops staff this fall and second as Assistant Athlet- when he joined Tony Sanchez’s staff. Prior to ics Director for Sports Medicine. A 1982 moving to Las Vegas, he served as the Director graduate of West Virginia University with a of Football Operations at Bowling Green (2013), bachelor’s in secondary education, Wilson Assistant AD for Football Operations at Washing- earned his master’s degree in education in ton (2009-11) and DFO at Southern California 1984 from Nicholls State University. After (2005-2008). Slutak previously coached special moving to Las Vegas, he served from 1984- teams for the Trojans in 2003 and 2004. He also 90 as assistant athletic trainer for football and coached at Ole Miss, North Carolina State and Lehigh. A native of West Palm Beach, men’s basketball while working as head athletic trainer for the Rebel baseball Fla., he was a punter at Florida State and earned his bachelor’s degree from FSU team. He became head football athletic trainer in 1990 and was named head and his master’s from North Carolina State. athletic trainer in 1997 and then Director of Athletic Training in 1999. C.J. COX MARK WALLINGTON Director of Player Personnel Senior Asst. AD, Communications Former UNLV player C.J. Cox was named Entering his 24th year with UNLV is Mark Recruiting Coordinator and Director of Player Wallington, who oversees communications Personnel in January 2016 after having just for the Rebel football program as well as completed his third year as graduate assistant serving as administrator for the men’s and coach for his alma mater. Cox also spent the women’s tennis programs. In 2015, he was 2012 season as an undergraduate assistant named Senior Assistant Athletics Director at the school. A three-year letterwinner for the for Communications. A two-time graduate of Rebels, he played on both sides of the ball during the University of Florida, Wallington earned his career as he rushed for 420 total yards as a a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a running back before moving to linebacker in 2011. The native of Garland, Texas, master’s in sports administration. In 2002 he married the former Wendy Best graduated from North Garland High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from and the couple has two daughters, Tessa Mae and Tallis Marie. UNLV in political science. SAGE SAMMONS JOE MAGGIO Director of New Media Football Video Operations Sage Sammons is in his fifth full-time Joe Maggio enters his first season with the year in the UNLV Athletics, Communications UNLV football program, taking over its video op- Department. In 2015, he was named the erations. Maggio spent the previous three years in Director of New Media and currently oversees the same capacity for the FIU Panthers, including the Rebels’ digital and social elements. He working with former UNLV defensive coordina- also manages the streaming productions and tor Ron Cooper at the Conference USA program is the secondary media relations contact for located in Miami. Maggio joined FIU after a long football and men’s basketball. Sammons has stint at his alma mater, Stony Brook, where he been around the department for a decade in eventually served as video operations manager a variety of ways. As a student, he served as and pro liaison assistant for the Seawolves. Maggio, who received his bachelor’s in a writer and then sports editor at the UNLV Rebel Yell for a total of four years business management-economics from the school in 2012, also worked with the and then became an intern in the media relations office. He and his fiancée, Stony Brook lacrosse program and served as a videographer for the Major League Nicole Thorne, will be married in June 2017. Lacrosse Long Island Lizards franchise. ROCKY RUTLEDGE Director of Athletics Equipment A lifelong Texan before coming to Las Vegas, Rocky Rutledge traveled west to UNLV in 1999. He currently is UNLV’s Director of Athletics Equipment and directly works with the football, men’s basketball, tennis and women’s golf programs. Rutledge began his career in athletics as a student trainer in high school. He continued as an athletic trainer while attending Texas Christian University, but then became a football team manager and then an intern in the Horned Frogs’ equipment department. He graduated from TCU in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He married the former Paulette Tinman in 2013.
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