February 3, 1999
LAS VEGAS - UNLV's first recruiting class under Head Coach John Robinson was announced Wednesday as 25 student-athletes completed national letters of intent to play for the Rebels during the first day of the signing period.
The list includes 16 freshmen and nine junior-college players. Three of the JC players are already enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice in April. Seven players were originally part of last year's class but will be true freshmen in the fall. Two other recruits will not enroll in classes until next January and be first-year players in fall of 2000. One player - JC transfer RayCheetany - was a member of the squad last season while redshirting as a walk-on.
The class consists of student-athletes whose hometowns are spread among nine states: 11 from California, six from Nevada, two from Florida, and one each from Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Iowa and Tennessee. Five signees played JC football in the state of Mississippi. This year's class is made up of four offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, four defensive backs, three quarterbacks, as well as two wide receivers, running backs and tight ends. One kicker/punter is also included. The remaining three players are listed as athletes and could play various positions.
A complete list of UNLV's 1999 football signees is below:
NAME PS HT WT CL-EXP HOMETOWN PREVIOUS SCHOOLRoyce Boone# RB 5-10 205 FR-HS Cathedral City, CA Cathedral City HSLeslie Brooks* TE 6-4 240 FR-HS Moreno Valley, CA Moreno Valley HSTosh Burrus DB 6-0 185 FR-HS Santa Rosa, CA Montgomery HSRay Cheetany PK/P 5-11 170 JR-TR Marion, IA Iowa Central CCRyan Claridge# ATH 6-3 220 FR-HS Fort Gratiot, MI Almont HSJermaine Curtis TE/H 6-3 230 JR-TR Mobile, AL Mississippi Gulf Coast JCDominic Furio OL 6-3 290 FR-HS San Pedro, CA San Pedro HSRyan Hanson QB 6-3 210 FR-HS Los Alamitos, CA Los Alamitos HSGreg Hulett OL 6-3 295 JR-TR Woodland Hills, CA Los Angeles Valley CollegeDion Jackson* ATH 6-0 180 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Valley HSMichael Johnson WR 5-11 185 FR-HS Oceanside, CA Vista HSShane Lockhart* OL 6-4 275 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Valley HSSean Mackey* DB 6-1 185 FR-HS Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield HSJoel Menendez* OL 6-3 260 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Silverado HSAhmad Miller DL 6-4 280 SO-TR Bradenton, FL Manatee CC/SW Miss. CCMatt Ray QB 6-3 195 FR-HS Quincy, CA Quincy HSDraper Redmond DL 6-5 260 JR-TR Memphis, TN Northwest Mississippi CCJeremi Rudolph RB 5-10 180 JR-TR Orlando, FL Southwest Mississippi CCKawika Sagapolu DL 6-4 285 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Cimarron-Memorial HSToby Smeltzer* DB 5-11 185 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Cimarron-Memorial HSAnthony Suggs DL 6-1 275 JR-TR Oxford, MS Northwest Mississippi CCLawrence Turner ATH 6-0 180 FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Cheyenne HSNate Turner WR 6-2 205 JR-TR Long Beach, CA Compton CCJason Vaughan QB 6-4 205 JR-TR Suwannee, GA Middle Georgia JCJamal Wynn* DB 6-0 185 FR-HS National City, CA Sweetwater HS
*Originally part of 1998 recruiting class and will be a true freshman this fall.
#Will not enroll full time until January of 2000.
ROYCE BOONERB, 5-10, 205, FR, Cathedral City, CA (Cathedral City HS)
A rushing prospect who will enroll at UNLV next spring and be a true freshman in fall of 2000 ... A two-way player for Cathedral City HS ... Starred at RB and DB for three years under coach Rick Baughman ... Named Desert Valley League Offensive MVP as a senior as he led the Lions to a 9-2 record and playoff berth ... Set school records for single-season rushing yards with 2,106 and single-season TDs with 27 as a senior ... PERSONAL: Royce Cornelius Boone was born on Aug. 2, 1981, in Palm Springs, CA ... Intends to major in business.
LESLIE BROOKSTE, 6-4, 240, FRMoreno Valley, CA (Moreno Valley HS)
A standout prep offensive lineman who is slated to be converted to TE at UNLV ... Originally part of last year's class but will not enroll until this fall ... Lettered three years for the Vikings ... An athletic big man who started at both OT and LB during final year for coach Rocky Ford ... During senior year in 1997, he recorded 51 total tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries - including one for a score - and one interception on defense ... Named All-Sunbelt League, All-CIF, All-Riverside County after being tabbed Prep Star preseason All-Region before final campaign ... Also lettered one year as a first baseman ... PERSONAL: Leslie Ernest Brooks was born on April 24, 1980, in Inglewood, CA ... The son of Leslie and Dianita Brooks ... Has a cousin who lives in Las Vegas ... Also visited Fresno State and New Mexico.
TOSH BURRUSDB, 6-0, 185, FR Santa Rosa, CA (Montgomery HS)
A two-way star in high school who is expected to play defensive back for UNLV ... Named Santa Rose Press Democrat Offensive Player of the Year ... Played at RB and rushed for 2,242 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior ... Also played in the defensive secondary for Montgomery, which earned 12 straight wins before falling to Marin Catholic in the 3A title game ... Earned Prep Star All-Region honors ... Chose UNLV over Washington and San Diego State.
RYAN CLARIDGEATH, 6-3, 220, FR Fort Gratiot, MI, (Almont HS)
A big offensive weapon who played running back as a prepster ... Could play anywhere from a big back to tight end for the Rebels ... One of two players - along with Royce Boone - who will not enroll until next spring semester and will be a true freshman in fall of 2000 ... Rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior for Almont HS ... Named first-team all-conference and league MVP last fall ... PERSONAL: The younger brother of standout USC offensive lineman Travis Claridge who was recruited by John Robinson and will be a senior this fall for the Men of Troy ... Chose UNLV over Akron and Central Michigan
JERMAINE CURTISTE/H, 6-3, 230, JR Mobile, AL (Mississippi Gulf Coast JC)
A junior-college All-American who looks to get immediate playing time for UNLV ... one of the top athletes in his JC conference's history ... Left MGCJC as the school's career touchdown leader with 21 ... Hauled in 35 receptions for 765 yards and five TDs as a sophomore ... Had 35 catches for 335 yards and four TDs as a freshman ... Also played RB in first year, rushing for 550 yards on 100 carries and eight TDs ... Chose UNLV over Tennessee and Southern Mississippi.
DOMINIC FURIOOL, 6-3, 290, FR San Pedro, CA (San Pedro HS)
One of four O-line prospects joining UNLV this year ... A big man who played both guard and tackle as a prepster ... Lettered two years for coach Mike Walsh ... Helped the Pirates to a 13-1 record and city championship in the CIF's Southern Pacific league in 1997 ... Named team MVP as well as the first league MVP from the offensive line position in eight years ... Also tabbed first-team all-conference and all-city ... PERSONAL: Dominic Joseph Furio was born on June 4, 1981, in San Pedro ... The son of Dominic Sr. and Carol Furio ... Undecided on a major ... Chose UNLV over New Mexico, Boise State and Nevada, Reno.
RYAN HANSONQB, 6-3, 210, FR Los Alamitos, CA (Los Alamitos HS)
A late-blooming star who is one of three quarterbacks in this year's UNLV class ... Also expected to vie for the Rebels' long-snapping duties ... Named Orange County Register Offensive Player of the Year and Super Prep All-Region ... Lettered three years for coach John Barnes ... Started final season for Griffins and finished with 3,082 yards and 31 touchdowns with only three interceptions ... Helped team to 12-1 record and CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals where it lost to eventual champion Santa Ana Mater Dei ... Named Sunset Conference MVP ... PERSONAL: Ryan Hanson was born on Oct. 22, 1980, in Long Beach, CA ... The son of Ken and Cathy Hanson ... Uncle, Bob Campbell, played minor league baseball ... Undecided on major ... Chose UNLV over San Jose State, Fresno State and Sacramento State.
GREG HULETTOL, 6-3, 295, JR Woodland Hills, CA (L.A. Valley College/El Camino Real HS)
One of the West's top JC offensive linemen ... Named a JC All-American by Prep Star ... A two-time All-Western State Conference selection and a first-team all-state player as a senior at LA Valley College ... Played both tackle spots for coach Gary Barlow and the Monarchs ... Is expected to challenge for the UNLV center job ... PREP: Named first-team all-city, all-area and all-valley at El Camino Real HS ... Helped the Conquistadors to the state playoffs as a senior ... PERSONAL: Greg Hulett was born on Aug. 24, 1979, in Northridge, CA ... The son of George and Marcie Hulett ... Will major in hotel management ... Chose UNLV over BYU and Indiana.
DION JACKSONATH, 6-0, 180, FR Las Vegas, NV (Valley HS)
A local star who stayed home for college career ... Originally part of last year's class but is currently enrolled full time and will compete in spring drills ... Played quarterback for Vikings but may show up on either side of the ball at UNLV ... A two-sport star, he played point guard on the Valley basketball team ... Helped lead coach Greg Murphy's grid squad to a Sunrise Division championship as a senior ... Finished with more than 3,000 yards of total offense to rank 6th all-time at Valley ... Named first-team All-Sunrise as well as the division's MVP ... Named to USA Today's All-State team ... PERSONAL: Dion Anthony Jackson was born on June 23, 1980, in Las Vegas ... The only son of Lester and Beatrice Jackson ... Cousin Ben Grant plays LB at Southern University.
MICHAEL JOHNSONWR, 5-11, 185, FR Oceanside, CA (Vista HS)
One of only two receivers in this year's class and the only freshman wideout ... A star prepster who earned votes on Long Beach Press-Telegram's prestigious Best in the West poll ... Considered one of the top prospects in the San Diego area ... Lettered two seasons at WR and DB for coach Steve Silverman who has led the Panthers to three-straight CIF Section 4-A championships ... Finished with 40 receptions and 12 touchdowns as a senior ... Tabbed Prep Star All-Region ... Named All-CIF and all-state the last two seasons ... PERSONAL: Michael Johnson was born on Dec. 24, 1980, in San Diego ... The son of Michael and Gay Johnson ... Intends to major in sociology ... Chose UNLV over Oregon, San Diego State and Hawaii .
SHANE LOCKHART OL, 6-4, 275, FR Las Vegas, NV (Valley HS)
An offensive lineman who was originally a member of last year's recruiting class ... Has enrolled this semester and will compete in spring practice ... One of four local prepsters to sign with the Rebels last year ... A three-year letterman for coach Greg Murphy's squad ... Playing OT, he helped the Vikings to a 11-1 overall record as a junior ... Named all-conference and All-Sunrise Division as a senior ... Also played center on Valley's basketball team last season ... PERSONAL: Shane Cully Lockhart was born on March 17, 1980, in Las Vegas ... The son of Jack and Katherine Lockhart ... Looking to major in criminal justice ... A member of the ROTC ... Also considered Southern Utah but chose to stay home.
SEAN MACKEYDB, 6-1, 185, FR Bakersfield, CA (Bakersfield HS)
A nice-sized and speedy defender who will look to soon become part of the Rebel secondary ... Originally part of last year's class but will not enroll until this fall ... Hails from the same high school as current Rebel RB James Wofford ... Starred for two seasons for the Drillers ... Helped coach Tim Hartnett's squad to two-consecutive league titles ... Played CB as a junior and S as a senior ... A two-time All-Southeast Yosemite League honoree who also was all-area as a senior ... Honored for delivering the Hit of the Year by a local TV station ... Also competed in track, running the 100m, long jump and 4x100m relay ... PERSONAL: Sean Larkin Mackey was born on May 13, 1980 ... The son of Larkin and Brenell Mackey ... Comes from an athletic family .... Cousin Brian Howard runs track at TCU and another cousin, Derek Burrell, plays football at Boise State ... A member of the group Black Excellence in Student Teaching ... Plans on majoring in business marketing.
JOEL MENENDEZOL, 6-3, 260, FR Las Vegas, NV (Silverado HS)
One of four local prep standouts to sign with UNLV last season, he originally was part of 1998's class ... Is enrolled this semester and will compete in spring practice with the Rebels ... A three-year letterman for Silverado ... Played on both sides of the line his last two years ... Also wrestled three seasons and earned 3rd-place in the state ... Also threw shot put and discus for track & field squad ... Attended UNLV summer football camp in 1997 and earned Most Improved Award ... PERSONAL: Joel Matthew Menendez was born on Oct. 8, 1979, in Las Vegas ... The son of Tino and Jody Menendez.
AHMAD MILLERDL, 6-4, 280, SO Bradenton, FL (Manatee CC/SW Miss. CC/Bradenton SE HS)
A big addition to the UNLV defensive line and another product of the Mississippi JC connection ... Played only as a freshman at SWMCC in 1997 and was a teammate of new Rebel RB Jeremi Rudolph on the Bears ... Spent last year in his native Bradenton attending Manatee CC, which does not play football, and has three years of eligibility remaining ... PREP: A two-year starter on defense for Bradenton SE HS ... Named all-area after recording 80 tackles and two sacks as a senior for the Seminoles at both end and linebacker ... PERSONAL: Ahmad Rasheed Miller was born on April 10, 1978, in Bradenton ... The son of Shery Lee Elias ... Intends to major in criminal justice ... Chose UNLV over West Virginia and Houston.
MATT RAYQB, 6-3, 195, FR Quincy, CA (Quincy HS)
A prolific passer from northern California ... One of a trio of new UNLV signal-callers in this year's class ... A multi-sport star for Quincy HS located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains ... Holds 40 of 57 known records in the CIF-North Section, including most career TD passes with 63, most TDs in a season, most career yards with 6,080 as well as most in a season ... Closed out his prep career by leading the Trojans to a 10-1 record and a Shasta-Cascade League title ... Named MVP for the conference and section ... Tabbed all-section by the Chino Enterprise-Record ... Also a three-year starter at guard on the boys' basketball team and a two-year catcher on the baseball team ... PERSONAL: Matthew Jeffrey Ray was born on Oct. 18, 1980, in Vallejo, CA ... The nephew of legendary college and NFL coach Bill Walsh ... Chose UNLV over Boise State.
DRAPER REDMONDDL, 6-5, 260, JR Memphis, TN (Northwest Mississippi CC/Westwood HS)
A former Mr. Tennessee Football who will look for playing time this fall on the D-line ... Started two years at NWMCC in Senatobia, MS, and earned JC All-America honors from Prep Star ... Started all 12 games for NWCCC in 1998, recording 39 total tackles, causing two fumbles and recovering two fumble ... Coach Bobby Franklin's squad finished 9-3 last year, was ranked No. 11 nationally and played in the Mineral Water Bowl ... PREP: Lettered three years for coach John Ware at Westwood HS ... Thrice helped the Longhorns to district title while playing DE and MLB ... Named all-state and honorable mention All-American in 1995 ... PERSONAL: Draper Jermaine Redmond was born on Oct. 8, 1977, in Memphis ... The son of Dennis Redmond and Betsy Hall Intends to major in education Chose UNLV over Oregon State.
JEREMI RUDOLPHRB, 5-10, 180, JR Orlando, FL (Southwest Mississippi CC/Apopka HS)
A playmaker who is already enrolled at UNLV and will compete in spring practice ... One of the nation's top-five running back coming out of high school in 1995 ... Originally signed with Florida State but played professional baseball instead ... Was drafted in the seventh round by the Toronto Blue Jays in '95 ... and played two years in the organization ... Attended SWMCC in 1997-98 and rushed for more than 800 yards both seasons ... PREP: Finished second in career TDs in the state of Florida behind Emmitt Smith ... Runner-up for Florida's Mr. Football Award behind QB Daunte Culpepper ... Played in the Florida-Georgia All-Star Game ... Became the 14th player in state history to rush for more than 5,000 yards during his prep career despite playing quarterback until a senior-year injury necessitated move to RB ... Led Apopka to 13-1 record and district title as a senior ... Named first-team all-state ... PERSONAL: Jeremi Donnell Rudolph was born on Jan. 27, 1976 ... The son of Joann Rudolph ... Will major in criminal justice ... Chose UNLV over Oregon State and Houston ... Also visited Florida, Tennessee and Oklahoma out of high school.
KAWIKA SAGAPOLUDL, 6-4, 285, FR Las Vegas, NV (Cimarron-Memorial HS)
Considered to be the best player in Nevada ... Only Silver State player to earn honorable mention in the Las Vegas Sun's Super 11 list touting the West Coast's top recruits ... Tabbed Prep Star All-Region as a senior ... Helped lead the Spartans to the state 4-A title last season as a two-way standout on the line ... PERSONAL: Gus "Kawika" Sagapolu moved to Las Vegas from Hawaii at the age of 10 ... Chose UNLV over Arizona State, BYU, Oregon and Colorado State.
TOBY SMELTZERDB, 5-11, 185, FR Las Vegas, NV (Cimarron Memorial HS)
A local product who played QB for four years at two Las Vegas high schools but is projected as a DB for the Rebels ... Originally part of last year's class ... Has enrolled this semester and will compete in spring practice ... Starred for two seasons at Cimarron-Memorial, helping coach Greg Spencer's squad to an 11-2 record as a senior ... Earned all-conference and all-division honors ... Also spent two years playing for Silverado HS in 1994-95 ... Ran track in 1996 in the 100m and 200m events ... PERSONAL: Toby Mitchell Smeltzer was born on June 12, 1979, in Albuquerque, NM ... The son of Ron and Joyce Smeltzer ... Father is a former UNLV assistant coach under Ron Meyer ... Sister Amanda is a synchronized swimmer at Ohio State ... An excellent student who earned the Nevada Silver Scholar Award ... A member of the Varsity Letter Club.
ANTHONY SUGGSDL, 6-1, 270, JR Oxford, MS (Northwest Mississippi CC/Oxford HS)
One of two NWCC recruits this season for the Rebels along with Draper Redmond ... Will look for immediate playing time on defensive line ... A top powerlifter ... Named JC honorable mention all-state as a sophomore playing for coach Bobby Franklin ... Helped NWMCC to a 9-3 record and a final NJCAA ranking of 11th as a sophomore ... Recorded 40 total tackles as a 12-game starter in 1998 ... Also earned 45 tackles and five sacks as a freshman ... PREP: Played on both sides of line for Oxford HS and coach Robert Youngblood ... PERSONAL: Anthony Dwayne Suggs was born on Oct. 29, 1978, in Memphis, TN ... The son of Andrew and Eula Suggs ... Intends to major in exercise science ... Chose UNLV over Oregon State.
LAWRENCE TURNERATH, 6-0, 180, FR Las Vegas, NV (Cheyenne HS)
One of Nevada's top recruits and the first Cheyenne HS graduate to ever join the UNLV football program ... Named the Las Vegas Sun Offensive Player of the Year ... Played quarterback and defensive back for Cheyenne ... Led the Desert Shields to an 11-1 record as a senior, including the team's second-straight Sunset Division title ... Last year passed or ran for 14 touchdowns and recorded six interceptions on defense as a free safety ... Will get a chance to pay both positions for the Rebels ... PERSONAL: Lawrence Turner was born on Dec. 6, 1980, in Las Vegas ... The son of Larry and Pamela Turner ... Intends to major in sports medicine ... Chose UNLV over Nevada, Reno.
NATE TURNERWR, 6-2, 205, JR Long Beach, CA (Compton CC/L.A. Jordan HS)
A junior college All-American who will look for immediate time in the Rebel receiving rotation ... One of three UNLV JC recruits who has already enrolled and will take part in spring practice ... Hauled in 62 receptions for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore at Compton ... Named first-team all-state ... Converted from a defensive back to a wideout as a freshman playing at Mt. San Antonio College ... PREP: Played on defense under NFL Hall of Fame player Willie Brown ... Recorded 120 solo tackles as a senior for the Bulldogs ... Named a Blue Chip All-American after twice earning All-L.A. City Section honors ... PERSONAL: Nathaniel J. Turner was born on May 26, 1978, in Gardena, CA ... The son of Deborah Sills and grandson of Roy Sills ... Will major in criminal justice ... Chose UNLV over Oregon State.
JASON VAUGHANQB, 6-4, 205, JR Suwanee, GA (Middle Georgia College/North Springs HS)
A standout talent who comes to UNLV from junior college ... Is already enrolled in school and is expected to compete for the starting quarterback job this spring ... A former top recruit for the University of Mississippi ... Redshirted with the Rebels as a freshman in 1996 before transferring to Valdosta (Ga.) State ... Threw for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns in five games before injury ended his season for VSU in 1997 ... Then transferred to Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Ga. ... Led the 1998 Warrior squad to an 11-1 record and No. 10 NJCAA ranking ... Finished with 1,478 yards and 13 touchdowns passing ... Also threw for 193 yards and a score in his team's 41-3 defeat of Northwest Mississippi CC in the Mineral Water Bowl played in December ... PREP: Named SuperPrep Dixie Offensive Player of the Year for 1995 after leading North Springs HS to 10-1 record as a senior ... Tabbed SuperPrep and Blue Chip All-America ... Threw for 4,017 yards and 33 TDs in prep career ... Averaged 39 yards punting as a senior ... Coached by his father ... Also earned two letters in baseball ... PERSONAL: Jason Norris Vaughan was born on Oct. 30, 1977, in Atlanta ... The son of Norris and Ellen Vaughan ... Will major in hotel management ... Chose UNLV over Baylor.
JAMAL WYNNDB, 6-0, 185, FR National City, CA (Sweetwater HS)
A top secondary man with blazing speed ... May also vie for kick return duties with UNLV ... Originally part of last year's recruiting class ... Is currently enrolled and will take part in spring practice ... A three-year letterwinner at DB for the Red Devils ... His five interceptions as a senior helped coach Tony Garcia's squad into the second round of the playoffs ... Named All-Metro League in final year ... Also a three-year track standout who competed in 100m, 200m and anchored 4x100m relay team ... Recorded a top 100m time of 10.6 ... PERSONAL: Jamal Wynn was born on Jan. 19, 1980, in San Diego ... Would like to major in business.
