Feb. 4, 2004
LAS VEGAS - UNLV's sixth recruiting class under Head Coach John Robinson was announced on the first day of the signing period as a total of 23 student-athletes joined the Rebels Wednesday.
"This is our best class as far as the physical part of the game - getting players to compete in the trenches," head coach John Robinson said. "I am really impressed with the toughness of the group."
This year's class tilts heavily toward defense with a total of 15 players projected for that side of the ball: 6 LB, 5 DL and 4 DB; to go with eight purely offensive recruits: 5 OL, 1 TB, 1 FB and 1 QB.
"Our No. 1 goal was to recruit as many good defensive players as possible and we certainly achieved that," Robinson said. "Our squad is now balanced in numbers and we have helped improve an already emerging defense. We brought in some extremely physical and talented defensive backs, which helps fill perhaps our biggest need."
The list features 12 freshmen and 11 junior college players. Seven of the JC players signed during December's early period and are currently enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice, which starts March 7. Also, two "grayshirts" (Dustin Forshee and Marcus Johnson) were originally part of last year's signing class but enrolled last month and will be true freshmen this fall.
"Our program runs best on a combination of junior college players, high school players and transfers," Robinson said. "This year's class is a perfect example of that balance."
An unusually wide-ranging Rebel class, the group consists of student-athletes whose hometowns are spread among eight states across four time zones: 14 from California, three from Nevada, and one each from Washington, Utah, Arizona, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Florida.
"We are selective in our national recruiting but we had unusual success this year through some staff connections," Robinson said.
The complete list of UNLV's 2004 football signees follows:
NAME POS HT, WT, CL-EXP HOMETOWN PREVIOUS SCHOOLKC Asiodu DB 6-3, 205, FR-HS Chino Hills, CA Ayala HSBeau Bell LB 6-3, 210, FR-HS Tustin, CA Tustin HSChanti Bloomer DB 6-0, 195, JR-TR San Diego, CA Grossmont CollegeChris Bowser* OL 6-6, 275, SO-TR R. Santa Margarita, CA Saddleback CCJeff Brown DB 6-2, 185, FR-HS Harbor City, CA Narbonne HSDa'Juan Clark OL 6-3, 285, FR-HS Los Angeles, CA Fremont HSCharles Ealy* DB 5-11, 200, JR-TR Pacific Palisades, CA Compton CCOmega Faga LB/RB 5-11, 230, FR-HS Indian Springs, NV Indian Springs HSRyan Flasch LB/FB 6-2, 220, FR-HS Germantown, WI Germantown HSDustin Forshee*# OL 6-5, 300, FR-HS Chandler, AZ Hamilton HSChad Henley* FB 6-1, 250, JR-TR Simi Valley, CA Moorpark CollegeMario Hill* DE 6-2, 255, JR-TR Tallahassee, FL Pasadena City CollegeMarcus Johnson*# QB 6-4, 235, FR-HS Los Angeles, CA Locke HSBobby Kelly* LB 6-2, 215, JR-TR San Diego, CA Grossmont CollegeMatt Pattison LB 6-3, 220, JR-TR Kenmore, WA Saddleback CCDavid Peeples RB 5-9, 190, FR-HS N. Las Vegas, NV Cheyenne HSDan Rankin LB 6-2, 215, FR-HS Maumelle, AK Little Rock Catholic HSJosh Smith OL 6-5, 330, FR-HS Norco, CA Norco HSZeb Smithson OL 6-5, 285, JR-TR Lake Forest, CA Saddleback CCIsaiah Tafua*# DL 6-2, 265, JR-TR Taylorsville, UT Dixie State CollegeRobert Travers Jr. DL 6-4, 255, FR-HS Las Vegas, NV Desert Pines HSIsaac Watts* DE 6-2, 255, JR-TR Oakland, CA San Francisco City CollegeDaniel Widders DL 6-5, 280, JR-TR San Diego, CA Grossmont College
*Enrolled at UNLV January 2004#Originally a member of 2003 recruiting class
KC ASIODU
DB (6-3, 205, FR-HS)
Chino Hills, CA (Ayala HS)
A good-sized defensive back that hails from the same prep program as Rebel wide receiver Marques Johnson, who was part of UNLV's 2003 class ... One of two high school DBs on this year's list (Jeff Brown) ... Played both ways for Ayala HS, helping the Bulldogs to two conference titles during his career ... A DB/WR/RB for coach Bob Mount ... Named All-Sierra League on both sides of the ball as a senior ... Also competes in track, running the 100 and 4X100 relay events ... Also a scholar-athlete honoree ... Ekennemchukwu "KC" Dennis Asiodu was born on Nov. 24, 1986.
BEAU BELL
LB (6-3, 210, FR-HS)
Tustin, CA (Tustin HS)
Part of a talented foursome of high school linebackers joining UNLV this fall ... The younger brother of current Rebel linebacker Zach Bell, who will be a senior in 2004 ... One of two recruits with relatives on the team, joining fellow-LB Omega Faga ... Competed in the prestigious Cal-Florida Game last month and registered five tackles ... Named Defensive MVP of the Century League as both a junior and senior ... A versatile athlete who played all over the field for coach Myron Miller, lining up at DB, DE, LB, RB as well as serving as his team's punter and place-kicker ... Finished with 150 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions as a senior for the Tillers ... Also carried the ball 55 times for 506 yards and eight TDs for the 2003 league champs ... James "Beau" Beaumont Bell was born on May 26, 1986.
CHANTI BLOOMER
DB (6-0, 195, JR-TR)
San Diego, CA (Helix HS/Grossmont College)
A big-hitting defensive back who will provide UNLV a potential shut-down corner when he joins the team this fall ... One of three new Rebels produced by powerful Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA (Bobby Kelly and Dan Widders) ... A first team All-Foothill Conference selection under coach Dave Jordan ... Finished with 72 tackles, three interceptions, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries as a sophomore for the Griffins ... A graduate of Helix HS where he helped the Highlanders to two CIF titles in his three seasons ... Chanti Nicholas Bloomer was born on March 7, 1983.
CHRIS BOWSER
OL (6-6, 275, SO-TR)
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (Aliso Niguel HS/Saddleback CC)
An early signee who is already attending UNLV ... Will compete in spring practice and look to contribute this fall ... Has three years of eligibility remaining ... One of a trio of Rebel recruits this year from Saddleback CC (Zeb Smithson and Matt Pattison) and joins another Saddleback alum, Tyler Crandal, along the Rebel O-line ... Started 31 consecutive games in high school and junior college combined ... Named second team All-Mission Conference for the Gauchos ... A 2002 graduate of Aliso Niguel HS in Aliso Viejo, CA, where he was a two-time All-Sea View League honoree for coach Joe Wood's Wolverines ... Christopher Mark Bowser was born on March 28, 1984, in Lompoc, CA ... Comes from an athletic family, including father, Mark, who played football at Cal State Fullerton.
JEFF BROWN
DB (6-2, 185, FR-HS)
Harbor City, CA (Narbonne HS)
A top California recruit who is one of two high school defensive backs in this year's class ... Hails from the same prep program as sophomore UNLV WR Donell Wheaton ... Ranked the No. 43 DB in the nation by Rivals.com and the country's No. 50 DB by The Insiders ... Named All-West Region by PrepStar ... Projects to line up as a safety in college ... A three-year letterwinner at Narbonne HS ... Named all-city after totalling 96 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior team captain for the Gauchos ... Turned in five picks and six sacks as a junior despite missing part of the season with a broken nose ... Also played some quarterback for coach Manuel Douglas ... Also competes in track, running the 200, 400 and 4x400 events ... Jeffery Earl Brown Jr. was born on March 28, 1986, in Lynwood, CA
DA'JUAN CLARK
OL (6-3, 285, FR-HS)
Los Angeles, CA (Fremont HS)
One of three high school offensive linemen signed this year by the Rebels ... Offensive captain at Fremont HS as a senior for the Panthers ... Named all-city last season under coach Pete Duffy ... Also played two seasons at Gardena HS ... Da'Juan Traycell Clark was born on Oct. 10, 1986, in Los Angeles, CA.
CHARLES EALY
DB (5-11, 200, JR-TR)
Pacific Palisades, CA (Gardena HS/Fresno State/Compton CC)
A wide receiver turned DB who was ranked the nation's 97th-best junior college recruit by JCFootball.com ... An early signee who is currently enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... Will look to earn immediate playing time in the secondary this fall ... Spent last season at Compton College, the same JC as current Rebel Alvin Marshall ... Originally signed with Fresno State and redshirted the 2001 season ... A top two-way player as a prepster who attended two high schools: Palisades Charter and Gardena ... Totaled six interceptions as a senior and ranked among the nation's leaders in receiving yards with 1,291 yards on 73 catches ... Rated the West's No. 9 receiver by PrepStar ... Scored a TD in the 2001 Cal-Florida Bowl ... Charles Edward Ealy was born on July 21, 1983, in Los Angeles, CA.
OMEGA FAGA
LB/RB (5-11, 230, FR-HS)
Indian Springs, NV (Indian Springs HS)
Remarkably, the third member of the Faga Family to become a Rebel under John Robinson ... A two-way starter in eight-man football who projects to begin his career at LB for UNLV ... Raised just outside of Las Vegas with his cousins Faauo, who is a redshirt freshman DL for the Rebels, and FB Andrew, who just completed his college career at the school in 2003 ... A four-year letterwinner for Indian Springs HS where he was coached by his uncle, Sope Faga ... Named All-West Region as a runner by PrepStar ... Named first team all-state by the Las Vegas Sun and Nevada Sports Network as a LB ... Boasts the unusual honor of being named offensive and defensive MVP for his level (Southern IA) during his career ... Totaled 83 tackles and four interceptions as a senior on defense ... Played LB, RB, QB, WR, P, PK and kick returner for the Thunderbirds in his storied career ... A scoring machine who rushed for 410 yards and seven TDs vs. Lake Mead last season, which marked the second-most rushing yards in state history ... Finished last season with 23 total touchdowns from the RB/QB positions ... Also plays basketball and competes in track in the shot, disc, long jump and triple jump ... Omega Angel Faga was born on April 10, 1986.
RYAN FLASCH
LB/FB (6-2, 220, FR-HS)
Germantown, WI (Germantown HS)
A two-way standout from the Midwest who could contend for time at LB or FB ... Ranked one of Wisconsin's top-20 recruits by The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ... Named All-Midwest Region as a LB by PrepStar ... A three-year letterman for Germantown HS ... Named North Shore Conference Defensive MVP after turning in 154 tackles for the Warhawks last fall ... Also ran for 850 yards and 15 TDs as the team captain under coach Phil Datka ... Named All-Washington County on both offense and defense, where he recorded five QB sacks ... Named all-region by Wisconsin Coaches Association ... An honor roll student who also competes in track, running the 100, 200, 400 long jump and triple jump events ... Also an outfielder on his school's baseball team ... Ryan Richard Flasch was born on March 6, 1986, in Milwaukee.
DUSTIN FORSHEE
OL (6-5, 300, FR-HS)
Chandler, AZ (Hamilton HS)
A grayshirt who originally was a member of the spring 2003 Rebel class ... A true center out of Arizona who will compete in spring practice ... 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.
CHAD HENLEY
FB (6-1, 250, JR-TR)
Simi Valley, CA (Crespi Carmelite HS/Moorpark College)
An early signee who is currently enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... Expected to challenge for time at fullback this fall ... A two-year starter at FB at Moorpark JC, including playing alongside current Rebel TE Greg Estandia for the Raiders under coach Jim Bittner ... A three-year letterman at Crespi Carmelite HS in Encino, CA ... Played both ways, including rushing for 800 yards and 11 TDs as a senior ... Helped coach Tory Thomas' squad win its division in 1998 and 2001 ... Chad David Henley was born on Sept. 18, 1983, in San Bernardino, CA.
MARIO HILL
DE (6-2, 255, JR-TR)
Tallahassee, FL (Godby HS/Pasadena City College)
An early signee who is currently enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... Will look to break into the defensive end rotation this fall ... A product of Pasadena City College under coach Tom Maher ... A 2000 graduate of Godby HS who originally signed with Cincinnati ... Mario Devon Hill was born on Aug. 23, 1980, in Tallahassee, FL.
Marcus Johnson
QB (6-4, 235, FR-HS)
Los Angeles, CA (Alain Leroy Locke HS)
A grayshirt who originally was a member of the spring 2003 Rebel class and will compete in spring practice ... A big, athletic 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 honors 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 ... Also a top prep pitcher ... Marcus Lee Johnson was born on Dec. 31, 1985, in Los Angeles.
BOBBY KELLY
LB (6-2, 215, JR-TR)
San Diego, CA (University City HS/Grossmont College)
An early signee who is currently enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... A tough-hitting, athletic defender ... One of three new Rebels produced by powerful Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA (Chanti Bloomer and Dan Widders) ... A first team All-Foothill Conference performer at LB who was named Defensive MVP of California JC Championship Game vs. San Francisco City College ... A 2002 graduate of University City HS ... Team MVP as a senior for the Centurions ... Also competed in track ... Robert James Kelly was born on Oct. 6, 1983, in San Diego.
MATT PATTISON
LB (6-3, 220, JR-TR)
Kenmore, WA (Inglemoor HS/Saddleback CC)
One of five linebackers signed by UNLV and one of two from junior college ... One of a trio of Rebel recruits this year from Saddleback CC (Zeb Smithson and Chris Bowser) ... Lined up at both LB and safety positions under coach Mark McElroy ... Recorded 59 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception as a sophomore for the Gauchos ... A three-year letterman for Inglemoor HS ... Played on both sides of the ball for coach Frank Nash ... Also ran track, competing in the 100, 200, 4x100 and high jump for the Vikings ... Matt Merrill Pattison was born on July 17, 1983, in Seattle, WA.
DAVID PEEPLES
RB (5-9, 190, FR-HS)
North Las Vegas, NV (Cheyenne HS)
The Silver State's top prep running back stays home to run for the hometown Rebels ... The team's only true-tailback recruit in 2004 is considered talented enough to compete for time this fall ... Named all-state by the Las Vegas Sun and Nevada Sports Network after senior season at Cheyenne HS ... Earned All-West Region honors from PrepStar ... The team captain rushed 282 times for 1,954 yards and 19 touchdowns last fall under coach Dave Snyder Jr. ... Named Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year as well as the Sunset Division's Player of the Year ... Finished three-year career with 3,334 yards and 30 scores ... Graduated a semester early ... Also competed three seasons in track, running the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x200 events for the Desert Shields ... David Dewayne Peeples was born on Oct. 15, 1985, in Las Vegas.
DAN RANKIN
LB (6-2, 215, FR-HS)
Maumelle, AK (Little Rock Catholic HS)
One of four talented high school linebackers to sign with UNLV and perhaps may be the first football recruit in school history from the state of Arkansas ... A pure defender at OLB for coach Wayne Knight at the Catholic School for Boys in Little Rock ... Recorded 116 tackles and two interceptions as a senior for the Rockets ... A top student who was named first team all-state in academics as well as football ... Dan Paul Rankin was born on Sept. 16, 1985 ... Father, Dan Rankin, played college football with current Rebel DL coach Craig Wederquist at Drake.
JOSH SMITH
OL (6-5, 330, FR-HS)
Norco, CA (Norco HS)
A hulking young blocker who is part of a trio of high school offensive linemen signed by UNLV in 2004 ... A two-year letterman at Norco HS ... Helped coach Gary Campbell's squad win a Mountain View league title last fall en route to a 12-2 record ... Named second team all-county for the Cougars as a senior ... Josh Scott Smith was born on Dec. 31, 1985.
ZEB SMITHSON
OL (6-5, 285, JR-TR)
Lake Forest, CA (El Toro HS/Saddleback CC)
A junior college center who will compete to replace graduated starter Dominic Furio this fall ... One of two OL signed from Saddleback CC this year (Chris Bowser) and also a teammate of Rebel LB recruit Matt Pattison ... Started two years at center for the Gauchos under coach Mark McElroy ... A graduate of El Toro HS ... Zeb Jack Smithson was born on Feb. 18, 1984, in Tustin, CA.
ISAIAH TAFUA
DL (6-2, 265, JR-TR) Taylorsville, UT (Taylorsville HS/Dixie State College)
Originally signed with UNLV in spring 2003 and then re-signed during December's early period ... Is currently enrolled and will compete in spring practice with the Rebels ... Looks to challenge to replace graduated starter Joe Oniwor at nose guard this fall ... 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.
ROBERT TRAVERS JR.
DL (6-4, 255, FR-HS)
Las Vegas, NV (Desert Pines HS)
A wonderfully sized hometown pass rusher who is the only high school DL signed by UNLV this year ... Named first team all-state by Nevada Sports Network after senior season at 2003 state playoff semifinalist Desert Pines HS ... Played all along the defensive and offensive lines during his prep career for coach Leon Evans ... Selected first team All-Sunrise Division as both a junior and senior ... Also a member of the Jaguars' basketball team as well as being a state qualifier in the discus event ... An honor roll student, Robert Curtis Travers Jr. was born on Oct. 30, 1985.
ISAAC WATTS
DE (6-2, 255, JR-TR)
Oakland, CA (Encinal HS/Arizona/San Francisco CC)
An early signee who is currently enrolled at UNLV and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... Part of a talented group of linemen brought in to help replace graduated senior ends Chris Eagen and Dietrich Canterberry ... A member of the 2003 California JC state champion and nationally top ranked CCSF squad ... Earned First Team All-NorCal Conference as a sophomore ... Originally attended Arizona in 2001 but redshirted with the Wildcats ... A graduate of Encinal HS in Alameda, CA ... Played all over the field for the Jets, lining up at DE, TE, DT, FB and LS ... Isaac N. Watts was born on Jan. 17, 1983, in Oakland.
DANIEL WIDDERS
DL (6-5, 280, JR-TR)
San Diego, CA (Horizon HS/Grossmont College)
A tall defensive lineman who will look crack the lineup this fall ... Lettered two seasons at Grossmont College ... One of three Griffins to join UNLV this year (Chanti Bloomer and Bobby Kelly) ... Recorded six sacks as a sophomore for coach Dave Jordan's state runner-up squad ... Recorded a sack in the state championship game vs. CCSF ... A graduate of Horizon HS in San Diego ... Lettered three years for coach Chris Johnson ... Helped the Panthers to a CIF title as a junior ... Played TE, DE and OL ... Daniel Lee Widders was born on June 6, 1984.
