Aug. 11, 2006
LAS VEGAS - The popping of pads echoed through Rebel Park on Friday morning as the UNLV football team conducted its first workout in pads during August camp under second-year head coach Mike Sanford.
After spending the first four days of camp working through the acclimation period and wearing just helmets and very little pads, the Rebels were in full gear and working out as a complete unit during 26 five-minute periods. Although it was a hot morning, with players taking extra water breaks to keep hydrated, Sanford said that the staff and team were glad to be out in pads.
"There was new excitement and enthusiasm out there today," Sanford said. "There was a lot of contact during drills and the team's attitude was very good."
Two players that Sanford said had strong practices today were sophomore wide receiver Justin Marvel and senior nose tackle Howie Fuimaono, who begins the season on the Outland Trophy Watch List.
REBEL CAMP NOTES:
--Four more student-athletes joined the Rebels on Friday as Tim High, Starr Fuimaono, Jimmy Miller and Will Tagoai were all cleared to participate in August camp.
*High, a defensive lineman, and Fuimaono, a defensive back, were both part of the Rebels' 2006 recruiting class and Fuimaono is the younger brother of Rebel nose tackle Howie Fuimaono.
*Miller, who is a linebacker, is transferring to UNLV after playing the 2005 season at Mississippi State, where he saw action in eight games and made three tackles. Miller will have to sit out this year per NCAA rules and will be eligible to play in 2007. Miller is originally from Marina Del Ray, Calif., and prepped at Venice High School before signing with the Bulldogs of the SEC.
*Tagoai is a familiar face to Rebel fans, having transferred from Palomar Junior College to UNLV in 2003. He recorded 22 total tackles as a defensive back before suffering a season-ending knee injury in game four of the 2003 season. He missed the next two years due to injury but was awarded another of eligibility this season and the Vista, Calif., native will be a senior.
