April 19, 2006

SPRING PRACTICE RECAP -- OFFENSE

The biggest question coming from Rebel football fans is just who will be their team's starting quarterback in 2006? Well, turns out they'll have to wait a while longer to find out.

After a spirited spring battle between senior Shane Steichen (El Dorado Hills, CA/Oak Ridge HS) and former USC transfer Rocky Hinds (Los Angeles/St. Bernard HS), UNLV head coach Mike Sanford says he will not name a starting quarterback until preseason drills in August.

"We are going to go into fall with two quarterbacks (playing at No. 1) and will pick a starter not too far into camp," Sanford said. "Rocky came into spring behind Shane but then improved greatly. Obviously he has a ton of ability. Shane has a year's experience running this offense and is a better player now than at any point last year. Overall, I feel really good about our quarterback position."

There's no such question surrounding the starting running back spot as senior Erick Jackson (Palmdale, CA/Paraclete HS), who led the team with 673 yards rushing in 2005, is the clear leader. However, a furious four-man competition to be No. 2 on the depth chart will continue to rage into late summer. Ronnie Smith (Carson, CA/Narbonne HS), Lafayette Fletcher (Anaheim, CA/Morningside HS), David Peeples (N. Las Vegas/Cheyenne HS) and Torrie Coleman (N. Las Vegas/Cheyenne HS) all showed some spark in the spring game and will challenge for carries this fall.

"I feel very good about Erick Jackson," said Sanford. "The thing that is really good about our tailback position now is that we have depth and better players making up that depth. It's a four-man race for the No. 2 spot, which is a great position for us to be in."

While it's hard to find any true veterans on the list, the Rebel receiving corps all of a sudden is well-stocked with talented ball-catchers.

"We have improved our depth and our quality at that position," Sanford said. "We feel very good about Corey Anderson (Lake Balboa, CA/Birmingham HS), Renan Saint Preux (Immokalee FL/Immokalee HS) and Casey Flair (Anchorage, AK/East HS). A guy you didn't see in the spring game but we expect big things out of is Rodelin Anthony (Immokalee FL/Immokalee HS) (who is expected back from ankle surgery in June). Justin Marvel (San Bernardino, CA/Arroyo Valley HS) had an impressive spring even though he wasn't going live because of recovering from shoulder surgery. Also, a new guy that I think will be a good player is Ryan Wolfe (Santa Clarita, CA/Hart HS), who was a very productive high school receiver. A new player that will make a big impact when he gets here in the fall is Aaron Straiten (Antioch, CA/Antioch HS). Also, Marques Johnson (Chino Hills, CA/Ruben Ayala HS) showed some signs of doing some things before getting operated on again. I'd consider him a bonus player. We are much deeper at the receiver position."

The place where a lot of new faces are expected to make a difference is up front where an offensive line that struggled at times this spring with depth problems will welcome a rush of help come fall, according to the head coach.

"At right tackle, Marco Guerra (Los Angeles/Fremont HS) had a healthy spring, which is a good sign. As a group, we got better this spring but we are going to have a lot of first-year guys competing for time. Without a doubt the news guys will compete for playing time."

UNLV opens its 2006 season on Sept. 2 when it hosts Idaho State beginning at 7 p.m. Season tickets for the program's six-game home schedule are on sale now by calling 739-FANS.

CHAMPIONS REPORT
Despite high winds and a threat of rain, a group of Rebelplayers excelled enough at the UNLV Football Spring Game lastFriday to grade out as Champions:
APRIL 14 SPRING GAME OFFENSIVE CHAMPIONSOL Marco Guerra (Los Angeles/Fremont HS)QB Rocky Hinds (Los Angeles/St. Bernard HS)OL Aaron Mueller (Rockford, IL/Boylan HS)RB David Peeples (N. Las Vegas, NV/Cheyenne HS)RB Ronnie Smith (Carson, CA/Narbonne HS)
COMING FRIDAY: SPRING PRACTICE RECAP -- DEFENSE