Feb. 6, 2008

"I am very excited about this recruiting class and the process of turning this football program around. This is our fourth recruiting class and we are going into our fourth season this fall."

"Part of the process of turning a football program around involves recruiting, obviously, and I feel great about this class and feel like we've recruited well. Our staff has worked very hard developing relationships, finding players and evaluating players. Another reason we recruited well is UNLV. I think we have a lot to sell here. I think this is a great university. When we brought guys on campus with their families - even the local guys - people were amazed at what's going on here. The new student union, the new recreation center, there are a lot of good things going on here and this campus is great to sell."

"Also, we have really good people in our football program, in our athletic department and on our campus. Another reason we recruited well was our players. They did an excellent job and have a high expectation of turning this program around. One of the things I've tried to develop on this team is being a family and having camaraderie. When players visit, they can get a feel if the players here are excited about the future. Our players like being around each other and do a great job talking to recruits when they come on campus."

"Our recruiting weekends are also a key. We sell all of the great things about Las Vegas but also make sure to explain that there is so much more here than what's perceived by a lot of people. When we get recruits onto campus we have a great chance of signing them."

"We recruited more freshmen this year and I think we've tremendously improved our team speed and addressed our needs. 21 players played in high school last year and that is the highest percentage of freshmen ever here. We've evolved into a program that recruits primarily high school players."

"We have nine guys from California and did well in getting four from Texas and four from Arizona, which I think is a real plus. We have three from the state of Nevada and we're always going to be aggressive in recruiting the Greater Las Vegas area. We also got two from the Hawaiian Islands."

"When I got the job here I thought this was a recruiting gold mine and I still do today with all my heart. I feel like we're moving in a very positive direction and feel great about this class."

"The prospect of playing time is part of it but we have an improved group of players coming back. Our freshmen and sophomores are getting older. We're brining in guys to compete. Some guys have a chance to come in and compete as freshmen."

"We didn't promise anyone that they come in here and start. Basically what they will have is an opportunity to compete as a freshman. I think we have guys in this class that are good enough to do that. You become a better football team when your depth gets better and that`s what we're developing here. We're getting some depth in the receiving corps, the offensive line and with this class, the defensive line. The more people you have here competing, the better off you're going to be."

"Someone asked me today `Did you recruit for specific need or recruit the best players available?' I would say `yes' to both. We had specific needs and recruited to fill them. But we also took a few more or a few less at certain positions because there was a really good football player available and he wanted to come."

"We are all about the future. We are moving on and excited about the future. Recruiting brings in a new group of players and this is a new football team this year. I have extreme hope and high expectations for this team this year."