Feb. 1, 2006
LAS VEGAS - UNLV's second football recruiting class under head coach Mike Sanford was announced on the initial days of the national signing period with 26 student-athletes making up the list.
The group consists of student-athletes whose hometowns are spread among 10 states and one U.S. territory across six time zones: eight from California, four from Hawaii, three from Florida, two apiece from Nevada, American Samoa and Texas, and one each from Arizona, Washington, Utah, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
"We've certainly gone a lot of different places to collect talent," Sanford said. "UNLV is going to continue its commitment to recruit Nevada and California first, but then we are going to get players from places like Hawaii and Arizona and Florida, and now Texas with the addition of TCU to the Mountain West."
After the 2005 class was exclusively from the mainland, this year's haul has a heavy island presence.
"After laying the groundwork last year, we made a point to recruit Polynesian players," Sanford said. "I've had some very positive experiences with Polynesian players in my career. At Utah we had several that were really good players for us and at the San Diego Chargers with Junior Seau. (Assistant coach) Keith Uperesa is an excellent recruiter in that area and I made it a priority to travel to Samoa and Hawaii. We want to continue recruiting there and another big selling point is that we are playing the University of Hawaii six of the next seven years both here and in Honolulu."
The recruits list features 19 true freshmen and seven junior-college players. Four of the JC players signed during December's early period and are currently enrolled at UNLV. They will take part in spring practice, which starts March 21.
"We have a good mixture of people that are going to help us immediately and building blocks that we will develop for the future. To build a football program, you work from within and then bring in new blood from the outside and this class brings us a lot of new blood that will help for us for years to come."
While split relatively evenly between defense (14 players) and offense (12) this year's class tilts heavily toward linemen on both sides of the ball. In fact, the total of seven high school offensive linemen may be the most in school history. The breakdown is as follows: 8 OL, 6 DL, 4 DB, 3 LB, 3 WR, 1 RB and one player listed as a DL/LB.
"It's a cliché but football games are won along the offensive and defensive lines so we were committed to getting that need met this year and I think we did a great job. Most importantly, we went out and recruited guys who love to play football -- high character people who know how to win. There are a lot of guys from teams that played for championships and that was important to us."
A complete list of UNLV's 2006 football signees follows.
2005 MID-YEAR SIGNEES
ADRIAN BRADLEYLB5-11225JR-TRTulsa, OKWashington HS/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
A mid-year signee who enrolled at UNLV in January and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... Expected to compete for immediate playing time at a linebacker spot ... Comes from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, OK ... Led the Norsemen with 64 solo tackles while adding 66 assists and six sacks for a team that finished 9-3 last fall ... A 2004 graduate of Booker T. Washington HS in Tulsa ... Lettered four years for coach Antwain Jimmerson and helped the Hornets to a 40-8 record ... An all-conference performer who played RB, LB and DB ... Adrian Deon Bradley was born on Aug. 17, 1985, in Tulsa.
SANFORD ON BRADLEY: "Adrian Bradley is a very quick, hard-hitting outside linebacker and will be right in the mix to compete for a starting spot."
JEREMY GEATHERSDL6-2250SO-TRGeorgetown, SCAndrews HS/Butler County CC
A mid-year signee who enrolled at UNLV in January and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... Will look to help re-stock a depleted defensive ends corps this fall ... Also took visits to Eastern Michigan and Ball State ... A talented pass-rusher who comes from an NFL family ... Spent just one season at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, KS, and will have three years of eligibility remaining ... Posted 7.5 quarterback sacks, two fumble recoveries and 2 pass breakups for the Grizzlies in 2005 ... A 2004 graduate of Andrews (SC) HS ... Lettered four years for coach Gerald Baxter ... Played HB, FB, LB and DE for the Yellow Jackets ... Jeremy James Geathers was born on June 19, 1986, in New Orleans ... Father, Jumpy Geathers, played 13 years in the NFL as a pass-rushing star for the Saints, Redskins, Falcons and Broncos from 1984-96 ... Uncle Robert Geathers Sr. played six years for the Bills and cousin Robert Geathers Jr. starred at Georgia and now plays for the Bengals.
SANFORD ON GEATHERS: "Jeremy Geathers plays really fast and could be a great defender for us. We lost a lot of ends and this guy can come right in and compete to start."
BRADLEY NILESLB6-0250JR-TRSan Jose, CAPiedmont Hills HS/Gavilan College
A mid-year signee who enrolled at UNLV in January and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... One of two JC LBs in this year's class ... Expected to push for time in defensive rotation immediately ... Hails from Gavilan College in Gilroy, CA ... Named the Coast Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore for the Rams ... Posted 105 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and four forced fumbles last fall ... Also totaled 81 tackles and three sacks in nine games as a freshman en route to all-conference honors ... A 2003 graduate of Piedmont Hills HS in San Jose ... Lettered three years for the Pirates as a TE, DE and MLB ... Posted nine sacks and caught five TDs as a senior in 2002 ... Named first team All-Mount Hamilton Athletic League on defense in 2001 and '02 ... Helped coach Matt Kiesle's team to two MHAL titles ... Also played one season of basketball ... Bradley Evans Niles was born on May 29, 1985.
SANFORD ON NILES: "We needed an inside linebacker that is a big tough physical run guy who plays downhill and we got that in Bradley Niles. He will create a lot of competition at linebacker this spring."
MALO TAUMUADL6-2285FR-HSHonolulu, HIAiea HS
A mid-year signee who enrolled at UNLV in January and will take part in spring practice with the Rebels ... The only member of the early class not coming from a junior college ... Sat out last season and will be a freshman this fall ... A 2005 graduate of Aiea High School in Honolulu, HI ... Played OL, FB and LB for coach Wendell Say ... Ranked the No. 81 defensive line prospect in nation and No. 15 recruit in Hawaii after final season ... Posted 56 tackles, eight sacks and one interception as a senior ... Helped the Na Ali'I to div. II state football championship in 2003 ... Malo Hercules Taumua was born on May 11, 1987.
SANFORD ON TAUMAU: "Malo Taumua is a really strong physical player that is a load to block. He is a guy who just loves to play football and will be a really good interior tackle for us."
2006 SIGNEES
JOHAN ASIATAOL6-5340JR-TRKalihi, HIYouth Challenge Academy/Yuba College
A huge offensive lineman with a lot of potential ... Has played football for just two years ... A two-time letterwinner at Yuba College in Marysville, CA, under coach Ted Hoal ... Helped the 49ers win conference titles in 2004 and again in 2005 ... Played in the 2005 Graffiti Bowl ... One of eight offensive linemen signed by UNLV in 2006 ... Earned all-conference honors as a freshman and sophomore ... Did not play football in high school ... Chose UNLV over Oregon State and Hawaii ...
Johan Asiata was born on Dec. 19, 1985, in Christ Church, New Zealand.
SANFORD ON ASIATA: "Johan is a giant offensive lineman who is a very strong and physical player. He is still learning but loves to play the game of football."
TONY CADEDB6-2210JR-TRLewisville, TXLewisville HS/Oklahoma/San Francisco City College
A big, physical safety who will compete for a starting position this fall ... A junior-college transfer who was one of the elite players in the nation coming out of high school ... Signed with Oklahoma and spent two years in Norman, redshirting 2003 and then playing in all 11 games for the Sooners as a freshman in 2004 ... Posted five tackles and one forced fumble while mainly playing special teams ... Left OU and played one season at SFCC in 2005 ... After senior 2002 prep season, he was ranked the No. 48 player in the nation, the No. 6 player in the Texas and the No. 1 defensive back in Texas by Rivals.com ... Tabbed the No. 4 safety in the nation by The Sporting News ... Southwest Defensive Player of the Year by SuperPrep ... A two-time all-stater ... Also played on special teams and saw action as a wide receiver ... Totaled 54 tackles, two interceptions, eight PBU and forced four fumbles as a senior despite missing three games because of injury ... Blocked two punts and four field goals in that season for coach Ronnie Gage ... Played in the U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio ... A three-year starter at safety for the Farmers ... Recorded 71 tackles, two fumble recoveries and eight interceptions and passes broken up as a junior as LHS finished 9-2 ... Also competed on the basketball team in 2000 and 2001 ... Tony Cade was born on June 19, 1984.
SANFORD ON CADE: "Tony Cade is an outstanding safety who will give us immediate help in the secondary. He possesses a great combination of coverage and tackling skills."
RAMSEY FEAGAIOL6-2340FR-HSHonolulu, HIRadford HS
A big, physical lineman who earned PrepStar All-West Region honors in 2005 ... Lettered three years for the Rams under head coach Fred Salanoa ... Benched pressed 225 pounds 25 times with a max of 405 pounds ... Helped team to a 9-3 record, the White Conference Championship and a runner-up finish in the Hawaii Division 2 State Championship ... Was a second team all-state and first team all-conference selection as a senior ... Named first team all-conference and honorable mention all-state as a junior ... Chose the Rebels over Hawaii ... Ramsey Neemia Feagai was born on Oct. 5, 1988, in Honolulu, HI.
SANFORD ON FEAGAI: "Ramsey Feagai is a great kid and a great student. He is strong and physical, which is just the right kind of guy you want as one of your interior lineman."
Cedrick DT6-3320JR-TRQuincy, FLShanks HS/Santa Monica College/Dixie State
A highly recruited big man who originally signed a year ago but spent 2005 at Dixie State College ... Named First Team All-Western State Football League for the Rebels to the north ... In only eight games, totaled 41 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble ... Will compete for playing time immediately at the tackle spot .. Sat out 2004 season with a foot injury ... A first team All-Western States Conference selection after his freshman season in 2003 ... That year he totaled 65 tackles and eight sacks while helping Santa Monica College to a southern division championship and a berth in the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl ... Older brother Travis Fisher played at Central Florida and is currently a starting DB for the NFL's St. Louis Rams ... Was also recruited by Illinois, Arkansas and UCF out of junior college.
SANFORD ON FISHER: "Cedrick Fisher has a great combination of athletic ability and physical power that he uses to both successfully defend the run and rush the passer."
STARR FUIMAONODB5-11210FR-HSChula Vista, CABonita Vista HS
A quick defensive back with good size ... A three-year letterwinner for the Barons under coach Carl Parrick ... Helped the Barons to three-consecutive Mesa League Championships ... Was an all-conference and all-league selection as a defensive back ... Also played running back, carrying the ball 144 times for 1,085 yards and 18 touchdowns ... Dangerous as a kick returner as well, bringing back six punts for scores in the past two years ... Also earned one letter in track ... Chose UNLV over BYU and Washington ... Brother Howie is currently a starting defensive lineman for UNLV ... Starr Maiu'u Fuimaono was born on April 19,1988, in Compton, CA.
SANFORD ON FUIMAONO: "It's special anytime you have family legacies in a program. Obviously Starr is a very different body type than his brother Howie. He is a very athletic player who we feel will have a great career at UNLV."
JOHN GIANNINOTOOL6-3265FR-HSTucson, AZCatalina Foothills HS
One of seven freshmen offensive linemen in this year's spring class ... Last name is pronounced GEE-ah-NOT-oh ... The only player from Arizona to join the Rebels this season ... Will graduate this semester from Catalina Foothills HS ... Lettered two seasons for the Falcons ... Started on both sides of the line as both a junior and senior ... Named all-region and second team all-state for coach Mark Bruenkant ... A versatile athlete who also played basketball and baseball at the school ... John Sebastian Gianninoto was born on June 15, 1988.
SANFORD ON GIANNINOTO: "John Gianninoto is a young offensive lineman that we are going to develop. He's only going to get bigger and stronger so we see big things ahead for him."
JOE HAWLEYOL6-3270FR-HSYorba Linda, CAEsperanza HS
The most-decorated lineman in the class ... Earned 2005 PrepStar All-West Region honors ... Ranked as the 99th best player in the state of California by Rivals ... Also recruited by Wisconsin and Arizona ... Will graduate this semester from Esperanza HS in Anaheim, CA ... A three-year letterwinner for the powerful Aztec program ... Teammate Thomas Wren also signed with Rebels ... Helped coach Bill Pendleton's squad to the state finals and an 11-3 final record in 2005 ... Played both sides of the line as a senior ... Credited with 48 pancake blocks on offense and seven TFL and 3 sacks on defense ... Named Sunset League Offensive Lineman of the Year last fall ... A first-team all-stater who was an LA Times All-Star ... Also throws disc and shot for the school ... Joseph Kelly Hawley was born on Oct. 22, 1988, in Bakersfield, CA.
SANFORD ON HAWLEY: "Joe Hawley will come in to compete to start as on offensive guard this season. He's that good. A really tough, smart guy who comes from a winning program."
TIM HIGHDL6-2300FR-HSHarbor City, CANarbonne HS
A versatile lineman with great size ... Played on both sides of the ball for coach Manuel Douglas at Narbonne HS but is projected as a defender at UNLV ... Made 64 tackles, 13 for loss and had a pair of quarterback sacks as a senior en route to being named first team All-Marine League and first team all-city ... Was a punishing blocker as an offensive lineman ... Made 43 pancake blocks on the Gaucho offensive line ... Also competes in track and field.
SANFORD ON HIGH: "Anytime you can get an interior defensive lineman of Tim High's caliber, you've really got something. He's a very physical player with great leverage. We expect him to come in and compete right away."
ANTOINE HOWARDOL6-3240FR-HSOakland, CAMcCLYMONDS HS
A strong, sturdy offensive lineman ... One of the top lineman in the Bay Area ... A three-year letterwinner for the Warriors under head coach Alonzo Carter ... Helped his squad to an 11-1 record, the Oakland Athletic League title and the Silver Bowl Championship as a senior ... Led the offensive line in pancake blocks in 2005 ... Had a stellar senior year as he was named first team all-OAL, all-East Bay, all-NorCal and all-metro ... Registered close to 75 tackles and four sacks while playing along the defensive line ... Lettered once in basketball and twice in track in the shot put and discus ... Picked UNLV over Utah and San Jose State ... Antoine Jamelle Howard was born March 12, 1988, in Oakland, CA.
SANFORD ON HOWARD: "Antoine Howard is a very athletic offensive lineman who played for a great high school program. He is a hard worker that is one of the most athletic linemen we have."
AAITUI ISAAKODE6-2240FR-HSPago Pago, American SamoaFaga'itua HS
A defensive player with a bright future as he continues to learn the game ... One of two American Samoa recruits in this year's class, joining teammate Daniel Mareko... Played one year for the Vikings under coach Suaese Taase ... Vikings won the island championship in 2005.
SANFORD ON ISAAKO: "I got to see Aaitui on the island of Samoa and he has a great future ahead of him despite only having played football for one year. He is a big rugby player who also kicked for his high school. He will continue to grow and be perfect for defensive end."
DaVELL JACKSONWR6-0175FR-HSLas Vegas, NVEldorado HS
An exciting playmaker at wide receiver who earned PrepStar All-West Region honors in 2005 ... Lettered three times under coach Frank Tousa ... Hauled in 60 balls for 1,268 yards and 10 touchdowns, which earned him Sunrise League Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior ... Also made 70 tackles as a defensive back ... A first team all-state selection and All-Sunrise Division pick at wide out in 2005 ... A stand-out basketball player as well, lettering three times ... Edward DaVell Jackson was born on Aug. 8, 1988, in Las Vegas.
SANFORD ON JACKSON: "DaVell Jackson is a big-time player who is near the top of any list of Nevada prospects. He is, in my opinion, the most athletically-skilled player in Las Vegas this year."
Michael DB5-11200FR-HSGarland, TXSouth Garland HS
A talented defender who played linebacker in high school but will move to safety with the Rebels ... The only player from this year's class to hail from the Lone Star State ... Lettered twice for the Garland HS Colonels under coach Mickey Moss ... Part of a prep squad that won back-to-back District 11-5A championships in 2004 and 2005 ... Made 100 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks as a senior ... Earned first team all-district honors as a linebacker in 2005 ... Also saw time as a wide receiver his junior year ... A three-year letterwinner in track in the 100 and 200 meters as well as the 4x100 relay ... Picked UNLV over Illinois and others ... Michael Nikita Johnson was born June 30, 1988, in Dallas TX.
SANFORD ON JOHNSON: "It's exciting to get a player like Michael Johnson out of Texas. We needed help at safety and he is a hard-hitting guy that is just a really good football player."
PHILIP JULIENDL6-3215FR-HSImmokalee, FLImmokalee HS
One of six Floridians signed by UNLV in the past two years ... Played high school football with 2005 Rebel freshmen Rodelin Anthony, Wiselet Rouzard and Renan Saint Preux ... Played for coach John Weber ... Recorded 48 solo tackles, 19 assists and 67 total take downs in nine games as a senior ... Registered four quarterback sacks ... Indians finished 10-2 in 2005 and lost in the second round of the state 2A playoffs ... A member of the 2004 Indians squad that won the 2A Florida State Championship as Immokalee downed Madison County 17-15.
SANFORD ON JULIEN: "Philip Julien is another in the line of Immokalee players who are becoming Rebels. He has a huge upside. He plays really hard and will be a giant."
EVAN MARCHALOL6-6285FR-HSPetaluma, CACasa Grande HS
A tall blocker who chose UNLV over Northwestern ... Played just one season at Casa Grande HS in Petaluma, CA ... A member of the San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Team ... Earned first team All-Redwood Empire and All-Sanoma County honors playing for coach Rick O'Brien's Gaucho squad ... Moved out West after lettering three years at Westfield HS outside of Indianapolis, IN ... Earned HM all-conference for the Shamrocks before the transfer ... Evan P. Marchal was born on April 18, 1988, in Indianapolis ... Older brother Daniel was infielder for the University of Evansville baseball team.
SANFORD ON MARCHAL: "Evan Marchal is a big but very athletic offensive lineman. Sometimes when guys are that are that tall, they aren't flexible, but not Evan. He is a bright young man with Midwestern roots that we look forward to having."
DANIEL MAREKODL/LB6-2210FR-HSPago Pago, American SamoaFaga'itua HS
A versatile defensive player who could play either defensive line or linebacker ... One of two American Samoa recruits in this year's class, joining teammate Aaitui Isaako ... Lettered twice for the Vikings under coach Suaese Taase ... Vikings won two island championships ... Named the team MVP ... Played basketball for four years and baseball for three ... Daniel Neemiah Mareko was born on June 3, 1988.
SANFORD ON MAREKO: "It's exciting to get people out of Samoa that we see great futures for and that certainly describes Daniel Mareko. He is very athletic and very fast. He has a huge upside as he develops."
RONNIE PAULOLB6-1225FR-HSLas Vegas, NVWestern HS
One of two Las Vegans in this year's class and the only Silver State defender in the group ... Chose UNLV over Nebraska and Utah State among others ... A true linebacker who was a dominating player at Western HS ... The Sunset Division Defensive MVP in 2005 helped coach Bryan Murray's squad to a conference runner-up finish as a senior ... Posted 150 tackles (108 solo), one interception, one sack and three forced fumbles last fall for the Warriors ... Also a wrestler in the 215-pound weight class for the school ... Ronnie Rich Paulo was born on Dec. 19, 1987, in South Africa.
SANFORD ON PAULO: "Ronnie Paulo is a fast, hard-hitting linebacker. He is a special player from right here in town and we love to add Las Vegas guys."
TOLU PILIOL6-0315FR-HSOrem, UTTimpanogos HS
Already a good-sized, strong offensive blocker ... One of eight offensive linemen signed in 2006 ... Was a four-year letterwinner under coach Frank Erammall ... As a defensive lineman he registered eight sacks and 42 total tackles for the Timberwolves in 2005 ... Earned second team all-state and first team all region honors his senior year ... Was named to the preseason Elite 11 Team ... Comes from an athletic family as his brother Thor signed with Oregon out of high school and his uncle Ifo Pili played at BYU from 1998, 2001-03 ... Wrestled his sophomore year of high school ... Picked the Rebels over Utah ... Falemao Matina "Tolu" Pili III was born on Dec. 4, 1988, in Orem, Utah.
SANFORD ON PILI: "Tolu Pili is an extremely strong interior offensive lineman from a great football family in the state of Utah. He has a low center of gravity that makes him very effective."
QUINTON POINTERDB5-9180FR-HSCape Coral, FLMariner HS
One of six players from the Sunshine State signed by the Rebels in the past two years ... A very quick defensive back who also played running back in high school ... A two-year letterwinner for Mariner HS under coach Robert Butz ... Made 68 tackles, two sacks and picked off one pass as a senior ... Also rushed for 836 yards and seven touchdowns ... Earned all-area and all-conference honors as a defensive back in 2005 as well as PrepStar All-Southeast Region honors ... An all-around athlete, he also has lettered twice in basketball and track ... Quinton Pointer was born on April 16, 1988, in Fort Meyers, FL.
SANFORD ON POINTER: "Quinton Pointer was a national recruit before he injured his knee. We are going to give him some time to rehab and we think he'll eventually be an excellent cornerback and return guy for us."
ROCKI SANDUSKYWR6-1165FR-HSFerndale, WAFerndale HS
A receiving prospect who is one of the first family legacy players to join the relatively young UNLV football program ... The son of 1981 Associated Press 2nd Team All-American Jim Sandusky, who remains the only Rebel receiver to earn All-American honors ... The only player in this year's group from the state of Washington ... Will graduate this semester from Ferndale HS ... Earned two letters as a two-way player (WR/DB) for the Golden Eagles ... Helped coach Jamie Plenkovich's squad win the 2005 state 3A championship and a perfect 15-0 record ... Caught 29 passes for more than 800 yards and 17 touchdowns in a wing-T offense...Averaged 27.6 yards per catch...Tied a 3A state title game record with two TD receptions against Prosser in 47-12 victory ... A unanimous first team All-Northwest League pick and second team all-state selection by WashingtonPreps.com ... Excellent route-runner who excels at making space between himself and defensive backs ... Also picked off five passes on defense ... Named All-Whatcom County by the Bellingham Herald ... A versatile athlete who also plays baseball and runs track for the school ... Rocki James Sandusky was born on Feb. 4, 1988, in Vancouver, B.C., where his father was playing in the Canadian Football League ... The son of Jim and Tami Sandusky.
SANFORD ON SANDUSKY: "It's always great to get a son of a former player and especially one that was an All-American here at UNLV. But more importantly, Rocki is an excellent player himself. He's a great route runner with strong hands who played for his state's championship team."
AARON STRAITENWR6-3205JR-TRSan Francisco, CAAntioch HS/Snow JC/San Francisco City College
The most heralded and highly recruited member of UNLV's 2006 class ... Chose UNLV over Oregon State, Texas A&M and Arizona ... Also recruited by Oregon, North Carolina and Washington ... A four-star athlete according to Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Ranked as the No. 28 junior college player in the nation by Rivals ... Played 2005 at City College of San Francisco where he was teammates with fellow signee Tony Cade ... A big-play gamebreaker, he caught three TDs on catches of 25, 74 and 32 yards in CCSF's victory over Reedley in the Northern California JC championship game ... Attended Snow Junior College in 2004 ... Originally signed with Utah coming out of high school where he was recruited by Mike Sanford.
SANFORD ON STRAITEN: "Aaron Straiten offers a great combination of size, speed and physical ability. He's an execellent down-the-field receiver but he can really do it all -- run reverses, return kickoffs. He is a special player that we expect great things from in this offense. I've recruited and coached three eventual first-round NFL receivers (USC's Keyshawn Johnson, Curtis Conway and Johnnie Morton) and I think Aaron is in the same class."
MALOSI TE'ORB5-10195FR-HSKahuku, HIKahuku HS
The only running back in this year's class is one of four Hawaiians to join UNLV ... A first team all-state selection by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ... Rushed Kahuku HS to the state championship with 262 yards on 30 carries against Punahou in the title game on Dec. 3 ... Finished fourth in the state in rushing with 1,209 yards as a senior but 1,007 of those yards came in his last five games, when Kahuku started the OIA playoffs ... He also scored 11 of his 13 touchdowns in the postseason ... Ran 15 times for 248 yards to lead Red Raiders to OAI Red championship ... Played two seasons at the Hawaii powerhouse program under coach Sivak Livai after earlier attending American Fork HS in Utah ... Ephraim Malosi Te'o was born on Dec. 10, 1987, in Orem, UT.
SANFORD ON TE'O: "Malosi Te'o is a really good runner for the state championship team of Hawaii and we are thrilled that he will be a Rebel."
THOMAS WRENOL6-5250FR-HSYorba Linda, CAEsperanza HS
One of eight offensive linemen to sign with UNLV this year ... Joins his prep linemate Joe Hawley in coming in from Esperanza HS in Anaheim, CA ... Earned all-league honors as a senior ... A three-year letterwinner who lined up at TE and DE earlier in his prep career and also served as long-snapper for the Aztecs ... Helped coach Bill Pendleton's squad to the state finals and an 11-3 final record in 2005 ... Also competed in track and field one season ... Thomas Alexander Wren was born on Feb. 6, 1988, in Orange, CA.
SANFORD ON WREN: "Thomas Wren is a tall, athletic lineman who is extremely bright and comes from a championship-level high school program."
