Feb. 5, 2003
LAS VEGAS - UNLV's fifth recruiting class under Head Coach John Robinson was announced on the first day of the signing period as a total of 28 student-athletes joined the Rebels Wednesday.
"It's clearly our best class," Robinson said. "We were able to target our needs and fill them very successfully. This is a group of players that is physically impressive and has desirable size and speed but also seems to possess intangibles such as instinct and competitiveness. We have a number of (mid-year junior college) players who arrived this semester that will have a big impact immediately, but also some players that we expect will compete in their first year because of their high skill level."
The list features 19 freshmen, eight junior college players and one transfer from Ohio State (running back JaJa Riley) who must sit out the 2003 season per NCAA rules. Six of the JC players signed during December's early period and are currently enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice.
Also, two "grayshirts" (Jay Staggs and Donell Wheaton) were originally part of last year's signing class but will be true freshmen this fall.
The group consists of student-athletes whose hometowns are spread among six states: 20 from California, three from Arizona, two from Nevada and one each from Utah, Alabama and Georgia.
This year's class is made up of 16 offensive players: 7 OL, 3 RB, 3 WR, 2 TE, 1 QB; and nine defensive players: 3 LB, 3 DB and 3 DL; and 1 PK. Two players are listed as athletes with positions to be determined.
A list of UNLV's 2003 football signees follows:
NAME POS HT WT CL-EXP HOMETOWN PREVIOUS SCHOOLSergio Aguayo PK 6-1 185 FR-HS San Jacinto, CA San Jancinto HSJohn Andrews* LB 6-1 210 JR-TR Atlanta, GA Compton CCPhil Cosenza TE 6-5 260 FR-HS Grass Valley, CA Nevada Union HSTyler Crandal* OL 6-7 295 JR-TR R.S. Margarita, CA Saddleback CCJoe Critchfield* OL 6-4 315 JR-TR Chandler, AZ Scottsdale CCGreg Estandia* TE 6-7 235 JR-TR Moorpark, CA Moorpark CollegeFaauo Faga LB/DL 6-3 245 FR-HS Indian Springs, NV Indian Springs HSJacob Flowe RB 6-0 210 FR-HS Chino, CA Chino HSDustin Forshee OL 6-5 295 FR-HS Chandler, AZ Hamilton HSHowie Fuimaono DL 6-1 315 FR-HS Chula Vista, CA Bonita Vista HSTim Goins OL 6-4 270 FR-HS Madison, AL Bob Jones HSErnest Gordon* DB 6-0 165 FR-HS Sacramento, CA Hiram Johnson HSMarcus Johnson ATH 6-4 220 FR-HS Los Angeles, CA Locke HSMarques Johnson ATH 6-3 205 FR-HS Chino Hills, CA Ayala HSAlvin Marshall* RB/WR 5-10 185 JR-TR Los Angeles, CA Compton CCBrian Nicholson* DL 6-5 275 JR-TR Oceanside, CA Palomar CollegeCharles Owens OL 6-4 275 FR-HS Long Beach, CA Long Beach Poly HSGarrett Reden OL 6-4 260 FR-HS Valley Center, CA Valley Center HSJaJa Riley+* RB 6-2 210 SO-TR San Diego, CA Ohio StateSolomon Smart DB 6-0 185 FR-HS Phoenix, AZ Moon Valley HSJay Staggs#* WR 6-0 210 FR-HS Goleta, CA Dos Pueblos HSShane Steichen QB 6-3 175 FR-HS El Dorado Hills, CA Oak Ridge HSIsaiah Tafua DL 6-2 265 JR-TR Taylorsville, UT Dixie State CollegeWill Tagoai DB 6-1 205 JR-TR Vista, CA Palomar CollegeNathan Todhunter OL 6-6 285 FR-HS Santa Rosa, CA Santa Rosa HSNate Wederquist WR 6-2 205 FR-HS Henderson, NV Foothill HSRyan Welter LB 6-4 220 FR-HS El Cajon, CA Granite Hills HSDonell Wheaton#* WR 6-0 180 FR-HS Harbor City, CA Narbonne HS*Already enrolled at UNLV#Originally member of 2002 recruiting class+Must sit out 2003 season
SERGIO AGUAYOPK 6-1 185 FR-HSSan Jacinto, CASan Jacinto HS
A much-decorated long-range booter who is the first place-kicker to be included in a John Robinson recruiting class at UNLV ... Named 2002 honorable mention All-Region by PrepStar ... Selected as a preseason All-America candidate by Street & Smith's ... A three-year letterman at San Jacinto HS as a kicker and punter ... Made 40 of 50 career field goal attempts, which ranked fourth all-time among Golden State prepsters ... Earned first team all-CIF and all-state honors as a senior ... Made 11-16 FGA, which included a 55- and a 57-yarder for coach Bill Powell ... Hit 23-25 PATs and boasted a 92 percent touchback percentage in final season ... Also a standout soccer player for the Tigers ... Sergio Aguayo was born on Nov. 30, 1984.
JOHN ANDREWSLB 6-1 210 JR-TRAtlanta, GAFrederick Douglas HS/Compton CC
A December signee who was one of the top junior college linebackers in the nation ... Is currently in his first semester at UNLV and will compete in spring practice ... Looks to make an immediate impact this fall and help the Rebels field one of top linebacking corps in the country ... Named one of the country's top 125 JC players by PrepStar ... A JC Grid-Wire honorable mention All-American as a sophomore who was tabbed 2002 First Team All-America by the JC Athletic Bureau's California CC Football Coaches Association ... The 2002 Western State Conference Defensive MVP hails from the same program - Compton CC -- as fellow signee Alvin Marshall and former Rebel great Nate Turner ... Broke school record for tackles with 138 takedowns in 2001 for coach Cornell Ward ... Totaled 24 sacks and 10 fumbles forced in two years with the Tartars ... Originally signed with Central Florida out of high school ... A 2000 graduate of Frederick Douglas HS in Atlanta where he was an all-state defender for the Astros ... John Andrews was born on Nov. 22, 1981, in Atlanta.
PHIL COSENZATE 6-5 260 FR-HSGrass Valley, CANevada Union HS
The only tight end signed out of high school by the Rebels this year ... A two-year letterman at Nevada Union HS, which is an hour outside of Sacramento ... Helped Miners to spot in 2002 city championship and a 12-1 record ... Used mainly as a blocker as part of wing-T offense under coach Dave Humphers ... Hauled in six catches for 62 yards and one TD as a senior ... Also competed in basketball and baseball as a freshman ... Philip Joseph Cosenza was born on March 24, 1985, in Sacramento ... One uncle played football at UC Davis while another was on the basketball team at University of San Diego.
TYLER CRANDALOL 6-7 295 JR-TRRancho Santa Margarita, CATrabuco Hills HS/Saddleback CC
Another huge addition to the Rebel O-line ... An early signee who is already attending UNLV ... Will compete in spring practice and look to contribute this fall ... Named one of country's top 125 JC players by PrepStar and Third Team All-America by JC Grid-Wire as a sophomore at Saddleback College ... Named first team All-Mission Conference and a JC Athletic Bureau first team All-California Region IV as a tackle for the Gauchos ... A 2001 graduate of Trabuco HS in Mission Viejo, CA ... A three-year standout for the Mustangs ... Tyler James Crandal was born on July 2, 1983, in Irvine, CA ... Both parents are graduates of BYU.
JOE CRITCHFIELDOL 6-4 315 JR-TRChandler, AZChandler HS/Eastern Arizona/Scottsdale CC
A 2002 first team NJCAA All-American guard who will help immediately replenish the Rebel offensive line ... A December signee who is in school and will compete in spring practice for UNLV ... Named one of country's top 125 JC players by PrepStar ... One of three players from Arizona in this spring's class ... Earned first team honors from WSFL and ACCAC as a sophomore guard for Scottsdale CC ... Also previously attended Eastern Arizona and served a two-year LDS mission in Uruguay before joining the Artichokes for the 2002 season ... A 1998 graduate of Chandler HS ... A three-year letterman for the Wolves ... Joseph Leo Critchfield was born on May 17, 1980, in Provo, UT ... Both parents are BYU graduates ... Three of his four brothers also played college football.
GREG ESTANDIATE 6-7 235 JR-TRMoorpark, CAMoorpark HS/Moorpark College
The only junior college tight end in this year's Rebel class ... A big target who was a December signee and is currently enrolled at UNLV ... Named one of the country's top 125 JC players by PrepStar ... Totaled 22 receptions for 10 TDs as a sophomore for the Moorpark College Raiders as coach Jim Bittner's squad finished as Western State Conference champs ... A 2001 graduate of Moorpark HS ... An all-county performer in both football and basketball for the Musketeers ... Greg Michael Estandia was born on Nov. 18, 1982, in Thousand Oaks, CA.
FAAUO FAGALB/DL 6-3 245 FR-HSIndian Springs, NVIndian Spring HS
A powerful hitter who could find his home as either a linebacker or along the defensive line ... The latest in a growing number of standouts signing with UNLV out of Indian Springs HS, where he played LB and FB ... Younger brother of Rebel fullback Andrew Faga and former teammate of UNLV lettermen Derek and David Olsen ... A four-year letterwinner for Indian Springs HS, where he was coached by his father, Sope Faga ... The Thunderbirds, who play eight-man football, finished as state runners-up in 2002 ... A two-time honorable mention all-state performer by the Las Vegas Sun who was his level's defensive MVP in 2002 ... Totaled 133 tackles, three interceptions and eight sacks as a senior and finished prep career with 543 tackles ... The defending state champion in both the discus and shot put ... Adrian Faauo Faga was born on Aug. 12, 1985, in Arcata, CA.
JACOB FLOWERB 6-0 210 FR-HSChino, CAChino HS
The only high school runner signed by UNLV in 2003 ... A three-year letterwinner at Chino HS ... Lined up as both a tailback and fullback for the Cowboys ... Named First Team All-Sierra League after rushing for 896 yards as a fullback during senior campaign ... Named First Team All-CIF Southern Section after piling up 1,200 yards and 24 TDs rushing as coach John Munger's squad went 13-1 in 2001 ... Jacob David Flowe was born on Feb. 18, 1985, in Harbor City, CA ... Brother, Justin, is a RB at Mt. San Antonio College.
DUSTIN FORSHEEOL 6-5 295 FR-HSChandler, AZHamilton HS
A true center who is one of three 2003 Rebel recruits from Arizona ... A two-year letterman for Hamilton HS ... Helped Huskies to a 14-3 record in his two seasons under coach John Wrenn ... Blocked for a 1,500-yard rusher in 2002 and a 2,000-yard passing/1,000-yard rushing QB in 2001 ... Named 2002 All-Region ... Also a two-year letterwinner as a basketball center ... Dustin Lee Forshee was born on Jan. 14, 1985 in Alton, IL.
HOWIE FUIMAONODL 6-1 315 FR-HSChula Vista, CABonita Vista HS
A two-way prep standout who looks to compete at nose guard at UNLV ... A three-year letterman for Bonita Vista HS, the same program that produced current Rebel QB Tyler Arciaga ... Named 2002 honorable mention All-Region by PrepStar ... Played right tackle on offense and nose guard on defense for the Barons ... Totaled 48 tackles, including seven TFL, five sacks and five forced fumbles as a senior as coach Carl Parrick's squad won its second consecutive Mesa League championship ... Named first team all-league and second team All-CIF as a defender in 2002 ... Also throws the shot put and discus ... Howie Blessing Fuimaono was born on Sept. 26, 1985, in Compton, CA.
TIM GOINSOL 6-4 270 FR-HSMadison, ALBob Jones HS
A young blocker who played on both sides of the line as a prepster ... A four-year letterman at Bob Jones HS in Madison, AL ... Lined up at OT, OG, DT and DE during his career for the Patriots ... Named 6A All-Region 8 and to the Huntsville Times All-Metro Team in 2002 ... Served as team captain for coach Mike Bates' squad as a senior ... Tim DeWayne Goins was born on Feb. 25, 1985, in Huntsville, AL.
ERNEST GORDONDB 6-0 165 FR-HSSacramento, CAHiram Johnson HS
An early signee who is currently enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... Sat out one season after graduating from Hiram Johnson HS, the same program that produced current UNLV WR Tremayne Kirkland ... Set school records for interceptions in a game with three and tied the season mark with eight ... Helped the Warriors go 10-2 and win the Metro title as a senior cornerback in 2001 ... Ernest Gordon was born on Oct. 20, 1984, in Riverside, CA.
MARCUS JOHNSONATH 6-4 220 FR-HSLos Angeles, CAAlain Leroy Locke HS
A high school quarterback who earned 2002 All-West Region honors from PrepStar ... Ranked the 61st-best high school quarterback recruit in the nation by The Insiders ... A very agile athlete who also played linebacker for Alain Leroy Locke HS ... Earned first team all-city after throwing for 2,200 yards and 15 TDs and rushing for 115 yards and two more scores as a senior for coach Vincent Smith ... Also ran track for the Saints competing in the 400 and long jump events ... Marcus Lee Johnson was born on Dec. 31, 1985, in Los Angeles.
MARQUES JOHNSONATH 6-3 205FR-HSChino Hills, CARuben Ayala HS
A two-way starter during his prep career who will look for time at receiver or in the secondary as a Rebel ... A two-year letterman for Ruben Ayala HS ... Played WR, CB and safety for coach Lou Randall ... Named All-Inland Valley and his team's offensive MVP as a senior with 38 catches for 552 yards and six TDs ... On defense, added two interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the Bulldogs ... Marques Quinn Johnson was born on Dec. 15, 1984, in Harbor City, CA.
ALVIN MARSHALLRB/WR 5-10 185 JR-TRLos Angeles, CAAlain Leroy Locke HS/El Camino CC/Compton CC
A first team JC Grid-Wire All-American who is perhaps the most highly touted junior college recruit in school history ... A scintillating offensive weapon who can line up at tailback, slot-back and receiver ... One of only four 2003 running back recruits in the nation with a five-star rating by The Insiders ... Ranked as the No. 13 JC recruit in the nation overall by Rivals.com ... Signed during the early period in December and is currently enrolled at UNLV ... Came to town after a sensational sophomore season at Compton College where he was teammates with another highly regarded Rebel signee, LB John Andrews ... The Western State Conference Offensive MVP rushed for 1,347 yards and 17 touchdowns in nine regular-season games for coach Cornell Ward ... Scored 106 points and picked up another 399 yards returning kickoffs for the Tartars ... Played freshman campaign at El Camino College and logged a stunning 2,053 all-purpose yards ... Originally signed with Nebraska out of high school ... A 2000 graduate of Alain Leroy Locke HS, the same program that produced fellow-Rebel signee Marcus Johnson ... Lettered in both football and basketball for the Saints ... Rushed for 1,128 yards and 20 TDs as a senior en route to All-America honors ... Brother Richard Marshall plays DB at Fresno State.
BRIAN NICHOLSONDL 6-5 275 JR-TROceanside, CAVista HS/Palomar College
A big pass rusher who will look for time this fall for the Rebels ... A December signee who is already enrolled and will take part in spring practice ... Named one of the country's top 125 JC players by PrepStar ... A 2002 preseason J.C. Grid-Wire All-American who was slowed by injury for Palomar College in San Marcos, where he was a teammate of fellow new Rebel defender Will Tagoai ... Blocked 10 field goals during two-year stint with the Comets ... A graduate of Vista HS, the same program that produced current Rebel WR Michael Johnson ... Played both DE and TE for coach Steve Silberman as the Panthers won three CIF titles during his prep career ... Brian Nicholson was born on Feb. 18, 1981, in American Samoa.
CHARLES OWENSOL 6-4 275 FR-HSLong Beach, CALong Beach Poly HS
Another talented lineman from national powerhouse Long Beach Poly HS ... Earned 2002 All-West Region honors as a blocker from PrepStar ... Ranked 83rd best lineman recruit in the nation by The Insiders.com ... A three-year letterman for the same program that produced two current Rebels, RB Larry Croom and LB Reggie Butler ... Totaled 33 "pancake" blocks as a senior for the Jackrabbits ... Also played DT and recorded five sacks in 2002 ... Poly finished with 38-3 record during his career ... Charles Edward Owens was born on Oct. 31, 1985, in Long Beach ... Cousin Kenny Tucker lettered as a DB for UNLV in 1987.
GARRETT REDENOL 6-4 260 FR-HSValley Center, CAValley Center HS
Another young offensive lineman in the 2003 Rebel class ... A three-year letterman for Valley Center HS ... Played on both sides of the ball for coach Rob Gilster ... Earned first team all-league and county as a senior blocker ... Also lettered in basketball and track and field for the Jaguars ... Garrett Steven Reden was born on Feb. 12, 1985, in Escondido, CA.
JAJA RILEYRB 6-2 210 SO-TRSan Diego, CAMission Bay HS/Ohio State
A talented transfer tailback from Ohio State who will sit out 2003 per NCAA rules and then have two years of eligibility remaining ... Enrolled in school this semester and will compete in spring practice with the Rebels ... Played in six games for the 2002 national champion Buckeyes, rushing 12 times for 44 yards ... Requested to be redshirted in 2001 and did not play ... A 2001 graduate of Mission Bay HS where he was a SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American ... A first team All-CIF Div. III selection as a senior after rushing for 1,500 yards and 20 TDs for the Buccaneers ... That team won the CIF championship with a 13-0 record ... JaJa K. Riley was born on Aug. 30, 1983, in San Diego.
SOLOMON SMARTDB 6-0 185 FR-HSPhoenix, AZMoon Valley HS
A two-way standout as a prepster who is projected as a cornerback for the Rebels ... One of three Arizona products in this year's UNLV class ... A three-year letterman for Moon Valley HS ... Played CB and RB for coach Roger Britson before a leg injury in the second game of the season cut his senior campaign short ... Also ran track for the Rockets, competing in the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x400 for four years ... Solomon Dashan Smart was born on Aug. 7, 1985, in Phoenix.
JAY STAGGSWR 6-0 210 FR-HSGoleta, CADos Pueblos HS
A member of the Rebels' 2002 class who waited to enroll until this semester and will take part in spring practice ... A 2002 graduate of Dos Pueblos HS ... A standout two-way player under coach Jeff Uyesaka who will look to break in as a receiver for the Rebels ... Finished with 82 receptions for 1,468 yards and 12 TDs as a senior - all of which were school records -- along with 74 tackles and five interceptions ... Also blocked four kicks in 2001 ... Career numbers were 145 catches for 2,329 yards and 23 TDs ... Named first team All-Channel League and All-Tri-County as both a junior and senior as a receiver ... The Chargers went 10-3 in 2001 ... Also lettered in baseball and basketball ... James Clebert Staggs III was born on Sept. 26, 1983, in Goleta ... Father played DE for Santa Barbara City College and uncle was a fullback at Southern Utah.
SHANE STEICHENQB 6-3 175 FR-HSEl Dorado Hills, CAOak Ridge HS
A highly honored signal-caller who is one of two UNLV 2003 signees who played quarterback in high school ... Named area's MVP by the Sacramento Bee in 2002 ... Ranked No. 13 among QBs on West Coast by PacWest ... Ranked nation's 85th-best prep QB by The Insiders ... An all-state selection by Cal-Hi Sports ... Lettered two years for Oak Ridge HS ... Led Trojans to 12-1 record, Sierra Valley Conference championship and CIF sectional title as a senior ... Completed 157 of 245 passes (64 percent) for 2,434 yards, 34 TDs and only six interceptions in 2002 ... Shane Eugene Steichen was born on May 11, 1985, in Sacramento ... Older brother, Sean, was also a star QB at Oak Ridge and is now a punter at Boise State.
ISAIAH TAFUADL 6-2 265 JR-TRTaylorsville, UTTaylorsville HS/Dixie State College
An emerging defender who was named one of the country's top 125 JC players by PrepStar ... A run-stuffing tackle who hails from Dixie State College in St. George, UT, which is the same program that produced former Rebel and current Seattle Seahawk Anton Palepoi ... Played for the JC Rebels in 2002 after spending the previous two years serving an LDS mission in Chicago ... A 1999 graduate of Taylorsville HS ... A four-year letterman for the Warriors ... Also threw the shot put and the discus as a prepster ... Isaiah L. Tafua was born on Jan. 1, 1981, in Salt Lake City.
WILL TAGOAIDB 6-1 205 JR-TRVista, CAVista HS/Palomar College
A big, rangy junior college safety who looks to make an immediate impact in the Rebel secondary this fall ... A 2002 J.C. Grid-Wire second team All-America selection at Palomar College in San Marcos, CA ... The Co-Defensive MVP of the Mission Football Conference this past season ... Picked off six passes as a sophomore for the Comets ... Has been a teammate of fellow-UNLV signee Brian Nicholson in both high school and junior college ... A 2001 graduate of Vista HS, the same program that produced current Rebel WR Michael Johnson ... Will Tagoai was born on Jan. 30, 1983.
NATHAN TODHUNTEROL 6-6 285 FR-HSSanta Rosa, CASanta Rosa HS
One of four prep blocker recruits in this year's UNLV class ... Played on both sides of the line as a three-year letterman at Santa Rosa HS ... Lined up at OT, OG, C, TE, NT and NG during career ... Earned first team All-North Bay League and first team All-Empire as well as second team All-Bay Area as a senior for the Panthers under coach Tracy Green ... Nathan Grant Todhunter was born on Oct. 31, 1984, in Santa Rosa.
NATE WEDERQUISTWR 6-2 205 FR-HSHenderson, NVFoothill HS
A local standout who starred on both sides of the ball at Foothill HS ... The son of UNLV defensive line coach Craig Wederquist ... Projected as a big receiver for the Rebels ... A three-year letterman for the Falcons at both WR and SS ... Helped coach Ray Fenton's team to two consecutive league titles, including a 9-2 record in 2002 ... Named first team All-Sunrise Division on both offense and defense as a junior and senior ... Earned 2002 first team all-state honors as a receiver after hauling in 53 balls for 738 yards and six TDs and rushing 77 times for 441 yards and eight more scores ... Finished prep career with more than 2,000 yards receiving and 700 rushing ... Also completed 5-8 pass attempts for 111 yards and two TDs last fall ... Nathan James Wederquist was born on Aug. 21, 1984, in Des Moines, IA.
RYAN WELTERLB 6-4 220 FR-HSEl Cajon, CAGranite Hills HS
A big linebacker prospect who played all over the field during prep career ... Twice lettered at Granite Hills HS ... Lined up at OLB, TE, SS, WR and QB for coach Dave Waasted ... Caught 15 balls for 200 yards and three TDs at TE and totaled 110 tackles and three interceptions as a LB during senior year ... Earned team MVP honors as well as first team All-Grossmont Conference in 2002 ... Also an all-state hurdler for the Eagles who competed in the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x400 events ... Ryan Andrew Welter was born on Jan. 28, 1985, in San Diego.
DONELL WHEATONWR 6-0 180 FR-HSHarbor City, CANarbonne HS
A member of the Rebels' 2002 class who waited to enroll until this semester and will take part in spring practice ... Signed as an athlete but is expected to compete for time at receiver ... A 2002 graduate of Narbonne HS ... Lined up at both WR and RB for the coach JR Munoz ... Returned five kicks for scores as a senior for the Gauchos en route to fist team All-Marine League honors ... Finished prep career with more than 3,000 yards receiving, 1,000 yards rushing and 34 TDs ... Donell Ray Wheaton was born on July 9, 1984, in Inglewood, CA.
