April 21, 2006

LAS VEGAS - A UNLV defense that finished deep in the Mountain West Conference in multiple categories last fall clearly had to be upgraded for 2006 and the recently completed spring practice session was the first step in proving that it has been just nicely, thank you.

Fans who came by Rebel Park on campus for a practice or two as well as those who braved the high winds at Sam Boyd Stadium during the spring game can attest to the fix on that side of the ball.

The biggest difference? Simple - the secondary.

Returning shutdown corner John Guice (Atlanta, GA/Grossmont College) now has some help in the backfield as the Rebels welcome to the field former USC starter Eric Wright (San Francisco/Riordan HS) and former UCLA transfer Mil'Von James (Los Angeles/Fremont HS). Guice showed his stuff as a junior-college transfer in 2005 while Wright and James were on the practice squad per NCAA transfer rules. This spring the trio showed it may now be the best such combination in the Mountain West.

"We feel good about cornerback," head coach Mike Sanford said. "We have three cornerbacks that we have to find ways of getting on the field at the same time. I'm concerned about our depth with the safety position but overall we have a good group in the secondary."

Sanford mentioned one of the pleasant surprises of the spring was the performance of safety Daryl Forte (Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) who came in as a grayshirt freshman and quickly impressed staff and onlookers alike.

Elsewhere on defense, the linebacker position still has some question marks as the only unquestioned starter is junior Beau Bell (Tustin, CA/Tustin HS).

"We have one excellent returning player, Beau Bell, at linebacker. He is a special player. We've moved (former safety) KC Asiodu (Chino Hills, CA/Ayala HS) closer to the ball. Jason Beauchamp (San Diego, CA/Steele Canyon HS) has a lot of ability and Matt Pattison (Kenmore, WA/Saddleback CC) we expect good things out of because we were a much better defense when he played last year (before a foot injury sidelined him).

"Two of the new players that we had come in from junior college -- Bradley Niles (San Jose, CA/Piedmont HS/Gavilan College) and Adrian Bradley (Tulsa, OK/Northeastern OK A&M) -- will be in the middle of it and Omega Faga (Indian Springs, NV/Indian Springs HS) showed a lot of improvement in the spring. We have more depth but it is very up in the air as for who the starters are except for Bell."

The defensive line lost its entire two-deep at end but junior-college transfer Jeremy Geathers (Georgetown SC/Butler County CC) turned some heads in spring ball.

"Jeremy was a very positive off-season addition," Sanford said. "He is a good pass rusher -- quick off the ball. Also, Jacob Hales (Las Vegas/Las Vegas HS) really looks improved compared to last year. That position is a concern because we graduated so many guys. But I do feel good about the mentality and chemistry of these guys."

In the middle of the line, a three-year stalwart returns as a senior honors candidate in 2006 - Howie Fuimaono (Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS) - while local product Perry Eppenger (N. Las Vegas/Cheyenne HS) is penciled in at No. 2 after a good spring effort.

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

CHAMPIONS UPDATEThe following Rebels graded out at a championship-level at last Friday's Spring Game:
APRIL 14 SPRING GAME DEFENSIVE CHAMPIONS
DB Jay Staggs (Goleta, CA/Dos Pueblos HS)DE Jeremy Geathers (Georgetown, SC/Andrews HS)DE Faauo Faga (Indian Springs, NV/Indian Springs HS)DL Gilbert Gallahar (Phoenix/Sunnyslope HS)
COMING MONDAY: SPRING PRACTICE RECAP - SPECIAL TEAMS