April 16, 2000

LAS VEGAS - Former UNLV free safety Quincy Sanders became the highest-picked Rebel in seven years when he was chosen in the fifth round by the Washington Redskins on Sunday as part of the National Football League's 2000 draft.

Sanders, a native of Sparks, Nev., outside of Reno, was a four-year letterman for UNLV and is ranked sixth all-time at the school with 270 tackles.

The 6-3, 200-pound Sanders became the 32nd UNLV football player ever drafted and the second in two years following Talance Sawyer's sixth-round selection by Minnesota in 1999.

Sanders, who was the 155th overall pick, was the first Rebel to go as high as the fifth round since Lonnie Palelei, an offensive lineman who was taken with the 135th pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1993. Sanders is the fifth UNLV defensive back ever drafted and the first since Don Odegard was picked in the sixth round by Cincinnati in 1990.

Even though Sanders was the first UNLV player selected by Washington in nine years, the Redskins have drafted more Rebels than any NFL team with five. The others were running back Mike Thomas in 1975, tight end Reggie Haynes in 1977, defensive end Todd Liebenstein in 1982 and wide receiver Keenan McCardell in 1991.

"It's a great situation for Quincy," UNLV defensive coordinator and secondary coach Mike Bradeson said. "He has all the physical numbers the NFL is looking for - height and speed. He grew up a lot during his time here and came back and definitely had his best season as a senior."

One of UNLV's top recruits during former head coach Jeff Horton's five-year tenure at the school, Sanders overcame various injuries during his career. After missing most of 1998 because of ACL surgery, Sanders earned medical hardship status and returned to post career-best numbers in 1999. Starting all 11 games as safety, Sanders finished second on the squad with 104 total tackles, picked off one of his three career interceptions, had three pass breakups and caused two fumbles.

"If I was drafted, I knew it would be in the later rounds but I had no expectations as far as when and where," Sanders said. "I just wanted a chance to show what I can do, so this is a big opportunity for me. The Redskins have unbelievable talent. They've got people like Darrell Green and Champ Bailey at cornerback so I've got a chance to go in and just play safety and contribute any way I can and maybe even make it to the Super Bowl."

QUINCY SANDERSCAREER UNLV DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
YEAR    UT  AT  TOT PBU INT1999    70  34  104 3   11998*   10  3   13  0   01997    49  16  65  2   21996    31  18  49  0   01995    24  15  39  3   0TOTAL    184 86  270 8   3
*Medical Redshirt Season