By Mark Wallington, UNLV Sports Information FINAL IN A THREE-PART SERIES THE DEFENSE While last year marked a major overhaul of the system to a 3-4 look, this season will be about fine-tuning. "We not only turned the corner in moving from one style of football to another, we made a real beginning in building a complete defensive system," says UNLV Head Coach John Robinson. "We still have plenty of room for improvement and with so many returning players, we can establish a successful tradition for utilizing faster, attacking defensive players. "Last year's secondary was very uncertain, now it could become one of our strong points. We also expect to be better along the defensive front. And the linebacker group is unquestionably the best we have had here." With 15 members of the signing class slated for a defense that returns seven starters, the 2004 Rebel D appears to be deeper than any in school history. "We recruited predominantly for defense this year and the players we got are fitting in very well. We will have a veteran defense with real depth for the first time." DEFENSIVE LINE While clearly the position with the most newcomers, the D-line will not necessarily require an orientation period. Emerging star Leon Moore (6-5, 270, JR-2L) is the familiar face among the ends as the local product looks to add to his four-sack, six pass-breakup totals from a year ago as the starter on one side. On the other end, coaches are eager to see what Pete Dunbar (6-4, 260, SR-1L) can do after redshirting 2003 because of a sports hernia while former JC transfer Brian Nicholson (6-5, 275, SR-1L) made some nice plays, including two sacks, off the bench last fall. Two touted transfers that competed in spring ball will work for significant time: Mario Hill (6-2, 260, JR-TR) and Isaac Watts (6-2, 260, JR-TR). The second of three members of the Faga Family to sign with UNLV -- rapidly developing Faauo Faga (6-3, 260, FR-RS) -- could push for minutes on the field after moving up from linebacker while young Ryan Heise (6-3, 250, SO-1L) can't be counted out. The middle will be plugged up by an impressive pair of tackles. Howie Fuimaono (6-0, 325, SO-1L) was pushed into duty as a true freshman, including starting four games, and will only get better after a year under his sizable belt, while former junior college standout Isaiah Tafua (6-2, 275, JR-TR) looked good in his first UNLV spring ball. "Defensive line is an area where we don't have great size but it is an active group," Robinson says. "We have an influx of new talent. We hope to play a lot of players, and if that happens we'll be strong. Probably the biggest surprise will be Pete Dunbar, who really showed something in the spring after a year away from the field. Leon Moore is a potentially outstanding rusher and this season he gets the chance to establish himself. Howie Fuimaono now has a year under his belt and will just get better and better on the inside and the three new JC guys will make an impact after getting their start this spring." LINEBACKERS Unquestionably the most impressive group on the Rebels a year ago, the linebacker corps returns in tact as the seven seniors should rank among the nation's top units working today. Blessed with enviable size, speed, athleticism and tenacity, the UNLV linebackers flourished in the new 3-4 defense in 2003. Expect even bigger things this fall. On the inside sits the school's all-time tackle leader, Adam Seward (6-2, 250, SR-3L), a two-time first team All-MWC pick who will have at least another 11 games to raise his career takedown total of 312. Joining him is Ryan Claridge (6-4, 250, SR-3L), who can be best described as a disruptor to opposing offenses considering he has 9.5 sacks, a school-record nine forced fumbles and two picks as a collegian. Talented Zach Bell (6-2, 230, SR-3L) will also be considered a starter as a senior. On the outside, two 12-game starters return after getting their first taste of Div. I-A football in '03. John Andrews (6-0, 210, SR-1L) showed a nose for the ball as he tied for the league lead with five fumble recoveries while former Ivy Leaguer Reggie Butler (6-0, 220, SR-1L) pitched in with three sacks and four pass breakups. "This is one of the top groups I've ever coached," Robinson says. "Adam Seward and Ryan Claridge are two of the best in the country and will go on to productive NFL careers. Both have great experience, intelligence and physical gifts. Andrews and Butler excelled at times but also suffered from lack of experience. They are veterans now so they will be much improved. Zach Bell fits right in to make it a group of five." The senior set is rounded out by Terrence Young (5-10, 235, SR-3L) and Mike Tinoisamoa (6-0, 230, SR-1L), who came on late to post two sacks. New to the scene will be redshirt Ryan Welter (6-4, 230, FR-RS) and JC pickups Bobby Kelly (6-2, 210, JR-TR) and Matt Pattison (6-3, 220, JR-TR). "Terrence Young should have played more than he did last year. He is a solid veteran. Bobby Kelly comes in from junior college and got a good start in spring. Ryan Welter is tall and fast and has a really bright future." SECONDARY Any discussion of UNLV defensive backs starts with 2003 first team All-American Jamaal Brimmer (6-1, 215, SR-3L), who is also a preseason first-team pick again this fall. The ball-hawk strong safety simply is the definition of an impact player. With three touchdowns and a stunning 27 tackles for loss in just the last two years, this hometown hero is a game changer. One of a dozen semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award a year ago, he may just win in it 2004 after deciding to put the NFL off one more year. After leading the league with six interceptions and ranking sixth nationally with 186 return yards as a junior, Brimmer will vie to become the consensus MWC Defensive Player of the Year for a startling third straight year. "Jamaal Brimmer is one of the elite defensive players in the country," says his head coach. "He was an All-American last year and we have every expectation that he will improve again this year. He is one of the most instinctive players I have been around. Jamaal reminds me a lot of (NFL hall-of-famer and former Robinson player) Ronnie Lott in terms of instincts and ability to attack." Giving ninth-year defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson the best pair of safeties in the conference, hard-hitting Joe Miklos (6-2, 205, JR-2L) will be back at free safety. The converted linebacker started every game and finished second on the team with 82 tackles to go with his two interceptions and pair of long touchdowns scored off fumble recoveries. Will Tagoai (6-3, 205, SR-1L), who also saw time at cornerback after transferring in from junior college, looks to contribute after suffering a season-ending knee injury in Game Four. Depth will be provided by two converted receivers: Jay Staggs (6-0, 215, SO-1L) and Nate Wederquist (6-2, 210, FR-RS). "Joe Miklos was an inexperienced rookie after changing positions but is now on his way to becoming a potential all-star," Robinson says. "We also have some very physical and eager younger players that lack experience but eventually will be very good. Overall, safety is a real bright spot for us." The team's thinnest group a year ago, the cornerback position appears beefed up for '04. The group's leader is 12-game starter Ruschard Dodd-Masters (6-0, 180, SR-3L), a playmaker who looks to be more consistent shutting down the pass. On the other side, young Ernest Gordon (6-0, 170, SO-1L) looks to build on a promising debut season. Fighting him for the starting nod will be big-bodied JC transfer Charles Ealy (5-11, 205, JR-TR) who turned heads in spring practice. Reserves include veteran David Olsen (5-11, 195, JR-2L) and former transfer Shannon Nowden (5-11, 175, JR-TR), while highly sought-after JC recruit Chanti Bloomer (6-0, 195, JR-TR) hits town in August. "Ruschard Dodd-Masters has matured into an outstanding player. He was very emotional and excitable as a young player but now is aknowledgeable veteran. Charles Ealy has been impressive, as has Ernest Gordon. Both guys are making a strong case to start."