TANK IS FILLING UP AT RUNNING BACK SPOT
There was a lot of talk around town about UNLV quarterback Rocky Hinds missing spring ball after having his knee worked on. However, also missing in the spring but expected back at full strength after undergoing a surgery, this time on a shoulder, is last year's leading rusher David Peeples (5-9, 205, JR-2L/N. Las Vegas/Cheyenne HS). Taking over as the main ground weapon after a season-ending injury to senior Erick Jackson, Peeples is a local product who gained 519 yards for a 3.9 average while displaying a knack for getting into the end zone with seven of the team's 11 rushing TDs.
Sanford's number one goal in early recruiting was to find a big back to help better push the pile on short-yardage situations. Mission accomplished. Midyear signee and former Cal fullback Frank "The Tank" Summers (5-10, 240, JR-TR/Oakland, CA/Skyline HS/Laney College) is a bull of a rusher who chose to come to UNLV for a chance to play tailback and figures to be a workhorse in the backfield.
With Ronnie Smith leaving the team in the summer and Lafayette Fletcher switching to cornerback, filling the remaining running slots is left to youngster Chris Brogdon (5-7, 210, SO-1L/Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista HS), who got his first taste of field action in '06, and tough-nosed walk-on transfer Robert Paulele (5-8, 205, JR-TR/Waikapu, HI/Central Valley HS), who turned some heads in spring ball.
Sanford says the addition of a big back, better blocking and an array of running styles to choose from will help the Rebel rushing game rebound.
SANFORD SAYS:
"We are improved at running back - much tougher. We don't have a large group but we like our guys and there is going to be a lot of competition for carries. David Peeples is a hard runner who is also fast and has shown he can hit the home run. We are expecting good things from him and Chris Brogdon, and then add into the mix Frank Summers, who came out in spring practice and showed he is a very strong presence."
TOP HONORS CANDIDATE: Summers proved hard to bring down in the spring and he could run right into an all-conference-level campaign.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: Walk-on transfer Paulele, who could see some carries and special teams time after impressing spring practice onlookers.
NUMBER TO KNOW: 7 - as in the number of rushing touchdowns for local product Peeples last fall. The rest of the returning roster had a combined one score on the ground (QB Rocky Hinds).
NUMBER TO KNOW PART II: 254 - as in the number of rushing attempts Summers had in one season at Laney College in 2005. The former Cal signee also set a school record with 48 carries in one game for the Eagles. In comparison, the Rebels' six RBs combined for 251 carries in 2006.
