LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com)

By Michael Palmer â€" UNLV Athletic Communications Assistant

Going into this season, Ryan McAleenan's teammates elected him one of two defensive captains of the UNLV football team. It's as big an honor as can be bestowed on a UNLV football player and a well-deserved one for the highly respected middle linebacker. The communication studies major prides himself on his work ethic by trying to give 100% in everything he does. His teammates also notice how he pays attention to details like being on time and not being late are keys to being a leader on and off the field.

"It definitely was an honor being named captain of this team, especially because it's decided by my teammates," said McAleenan. "I've been trying to work to be a captain for a long time. I've just been trying to lead every way I can and it's helped out a lot that we have a lot of mature guys on this team."

McAleenan certainly proved himself capable on the gridiron as an outstanding linebacker and tight end for St. Francis High School in La Canada, California, where he was named the 2011 Mission League Co-Most Valuable Lineman as a junior and concluded his career by being chosen to the 2012 Los Angeles Daily News All-Star Game. After walking on and redshirting his freshman year at San Jose State, he transferred to the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. After one year suiting up for the Cougars, he signed with UNLV under the former coaching staff as a rare JC transfer with three years of eligibility remaining.

The adjustment to the D-I level is challenging for everyone but McAleenan adjusted in time to start the final nine games of his sophomore season in Las Vegas.

"Everyone's out here fighting for a spot and fighting to get on the field," said McAleenan. "It was similar at the College of the Canyons but here, it's raised up a whole other level. The competition and the coaching is better and just has bigger stakes than junior college."

When deciding where to sign, McAleenan had a tough decision to make. Turns out, UNLV was the place for him to finish his collegiate career as he felt right at home.

"The current coaching staff wasn't here when I first came here, but the old staff made me feel comfortable with the system and I'm thankful for them. Coach Sanchez has really turned it around. He focused more on the details and it's been a great change for the program. That's something he changed in the DNA of this team."

It's those details that have made McAleenan into one of the best backers in the league. During the offseason, he was named preseason Third Team All-MW by Phil Steele and fourth team by Athlon. He was selected to represent the UNLV defense at the 2016 Mountain West Conference Media Days held in Las Vegas and was voted the 2016 winner of the Bill Ireland Award, which is annually given to the student-athlete who turns in the most impressive performance against UNR as part of the Governor's Series competition. That outing was arguably the biggest play of the year for the Rebels when McAleenan grabbed his lone interception of the season and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown to help defeat the Wolf Pack on the road, 23-17. He eventually started every game his junior year and led the team with 85 total tackles.

Through the first four games this season, McAleenan ranks second on the squad in tackles, including racking up a career-high 14 at UCLA in a game played at the historic Rose Bowl, which is just seven miles from where he grew up. Two weeks ago at Central Michigan he added a fumble recovery to his stat line as he forms a formidable linebacking trio with fellow-returning starters Tau Lotulelei and Matt Lea.

With his college career approaching its end, McAleenan, has the mantra of taking things one practice and game at a time. One thing he said he already knows for sure -- he will never forget the experience of playing in front of Rebels fans at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Certainly, McAleenan does not plan to let up anytime soon, or let his teammates do the same.

"I just want help the team win and help any way I can by being the best player I can be," he said. "For the team, our goal is to make it to the conference championship and make it to a bowl game."