With the end of the decade just weeks away we decided to take a cheerful look back at the last 10 seasons by compiling the best players at each position for UNLV. But first, some notes: there was only one winning season from 2010-19 so this Dream Team is naturally a bit heavy on reps from the revered Heart of Dallas Bowl squad. A solid eight of these honorees were products of Southern Nevada high schools. We also are an inclusive folk, so some positions sport more than the usual number you'll find on the field. While sometimes subjective, the choices were primarily made using conference honors and statistical records along with good, old-fashioned memories by a group of three longtime Rebel observers/staffers.
 
So, let's get to it -- presenting (alphabetically per position), your UNLV Football All-Decade Team.
 
THE REBEL OFFENSE

OFFENSIVE LINE
Brett Boyko (2011-14) – The former Canadian high school quarterback (you read that right) , who had never played offensive line before hitting Vegas, started his first collegiate game at 10th-ranked Wisconsin on national TV (a night that featured the Badger debut of a fella named Russell Wilson). A rare four-year starter at left tackle, Big Brett moved to guard for a spell to help the line as a fixture up front. The two-time second team All-MW honoree even represented his team at the conference's annual media days before his senior campaign and eventual trek to the NFL and then CFL.

 

 
Nathan Jacobson (2015-18) – An underrated reliable blocker who earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West for three consecutive campaigns.

 
 
Cameron Jefferson (2011-13) – Before he became the first player in school history to leave as a graduate transfer, ending up at Arkansas before a stint in the NFL, the Desert Oasis High School product was an ultra-talented lineman.
 


Will Kreitler (2015-16) – The only JC player on this team's offense, Coach K came in and took over as the floor leader for Tony Sanchez's squad while earning Honorable Mention All-MW both seasons before joining the Rebel coaching staff as a graduate assistant. BONUS NOTE: Daily sported the best hair of any UNLV offensive lineman in this, or perhaps any, decade.


 
Justin Polu (2016-19) – The Silverado High School product started all 48 games of his Rebel career and earned preseason First Team All-MW before his senior campaign while helping produce three 1,000-yard rushers.

 
 
Robert Waterman (2011-14) – The ultimate ironman in the middle, center Bob Waterman didn't just play in every game of his Rebel career – a school-record 51 straight starts -- he actually played NEARLY EVERY SNAP OF EVERY GAME in four seasons, just missing a series or two as a senior. BONUS NOTE: The three-time member of the Rimington Trophy Watch List earned the rare distinction of gaining Honorable Mention All-MW all four seasons on campus.
 

 
TIGHT ENDS
Giovanni Fauolo Sr. (2017-SA) – Another quality blocker, Gio has increased his production every year, including catching at least one pass in every game during this, his junior season. His four career touchdowns include a key score in last year's historic comeback win against UNR.


 
Jake Phillips (2012-15) – While not recording many offensive statistics (55 career grabs for 536 yards and three touchdowns), Phillips was your classic steady blocker who appeared in more games than any tight end in school history (49), including the bowl game.


 
QUARTERBACK
Caleb Herring (2010-13) – This pick was nothing close to difficult as UNLV's current radio analyst turned in a magical senior season that resulted in his team's only bowl bid of the decade. Herring still ranks ninth in school history with 4,388 passing yards while his 36 touchdowns stand fourth. Moved at one point to receiver, he re-took the offensive reigns in Game 3 with the team on the verge of a 0-3 start. The Rebels ultimately came back from 21 points to win by 10 in one of the biggest comebacks in school history vs. Central Michigan as Herring hit on a stunning 24 of 28 attempts. The Rebels, in fact, won seven of their nine under Caleb's care to earn a spot in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on New Year's Day 2014. For the season, he set a school record by completing 63 percent of his passes and tossed only five picks in 405 attempts to shatter school marks for lowest interception percentage for both a season and career. BONUS NOTE: His 24 scoring tosses during his final year left him just one short of Jon Denton's all-time UNLV record.


 
TAILBACKS
Tim Cornett (2010-13) – It took nearly 40 years for someone to unseat Mike Thomas as the school's all-time leading rusher and Cornett was the man up to the task, exploding for 1,232 yards as a junior and 1,284 (and 15 TDs) as a senior. All told, his 3,733 career yards rank fifth in Mountain West history after becoming the first Rebel to lead the program in rushing all four years. BONUS NOTE: Cornett had a career night during one of the coldest games in NCAA history, carrying the football 36 times for 220 rugged yards on an icicle-tinged night in Colorado that led UNLV to a win over Air Force and made the program bowl-eligible for the first time in 13 years.


 
Lexington Thomas (2015-18) – Just two years after the Cornett Era ended, lightning struck in Las Vegas as one of Tony Sanchez's first signees bided his time for two seasons before exploding for 1,336 yards as a junior and then 1,067 yards as a senior. Lex ended up scoring more touchdowns (40!) than anyone in school history, many on long sprints to the end zone that cemented the legend of Lightning. BONUS NOTE: Thomas broke Mike Thomas' four-decade-old record for 100-yard rushing games when he posted his 18th and final century-mark effort against seemingly his favorite opponent, Hawai'i, on Nov. 17, 2018.


 
FULLBACK
David Greene Jr. (2012-16) – After playing safety for two seasons, the former Texas schoolboy runner moved sides of the ball and remade himself into an impressive college football fullback. A good blocker and top special teams man, D-Greene rushed for an eye-popping eight touchdowns and 252 yards on just 50 carries as a senior.


 
WIDE RECEIVERS
Devonte Boyd (2014-17) – You say Devante, I say Devonte – or something like that. The Basic High School product would become the first person to lead UNLV in receiving all four seasons. He went for 102 yards in his debut at Arizona and actually led the nation in receiving yards during that regular season and his 65 catches for 980 yards shattered school rookie records. The third Rebel ever named to the FWAA Freshman All-America Team, Boyd posted more 100-yard games (14) than anyone in UNLV history and joined Ryan Wolfe as the only two Rebels to break 3,000 yards in a career. BONUS NOTE: Boyd nine times averaged more than 20 yards a catch in his slew of 100-yard games.


 
Devante Davis (2011-14) – Still ranked third in school history with 2,785 yards and fifth with 186 receptions, Davis was unstoppable as a junior. The tall, physical Texan's 87 catches (ranks third at UNLV) for 1,290 yards (second at UNLV) included a school-record 14 touchdowns through the air (DD=TD). His finest performance may have come when his four TDs in one game led to an upset win over San Diego State that ensured a bowl trip for the Rebels. BONUS NOTE: Returning to his home state for the Heart of Dallas Bowl, Davis set the school's bowl record with 10 catches vs. North Texas at the historic Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day.


 
Phillip Payne (2008-11) – The local Western High School grad never recorded more than 690 receiving yards in his four seasons but boy, was he a scoring machine for the Scarlet & Gray. In fact, his 26 touchdowns are the most ever at UNLV and his 13 grabs vs. Southern Utah in 2011 are the second-most in a game by a Rebel. BONUS NOTE: While it took place in the previous decade, Payne had one of the most memorable plays in program history (shown below in a David Cleveland photo) as his amazing one-handed grab of an Omar Clayton pass allowed UNLV to reach overtime and eventually defeat No. 13 Arizona State at Sun Devil Stadium in 2008.




 
THE REBEL DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE
Isaako Aaitui (2007-10) – Destined to always be the first person listed in the school's alphabetical all-time roster, the former Samoan volleyball star only played one season in this decade but was simply a beast for the Rebels before forging a brief NFL career.


 
James Dunlap (2009-11) – A three-year letterman out of JC, Jimmy D had the most sacks – 6.5 in 2011 – of any Rebel this decade.


 
Mike Hughes Jr. (2014-17) – The only no-brainer in this position group, Big Mike is also the only Las Vegan on the defensive side of the ball. The Palo Verde High grad was a four-year starter up front and finished with 131 total tackles as a major run-stopper and team leader.
 

 
LINEBACKERS
Rayshad Jackson (2019) – A one-year wonder, the University of Florida graduate transfer did not disappoint after coming in as a veteran of the SEC wars. Showing exceptional game speed, Jackson led this year's team with 99 tackles and ranked second in the MW in tackles for loss.


 
John Lotulelei (2011-12) – This JC transfer posted the program's most tackles in a season – 120 in 2012 – this decade to earn First Team All-MW and a spot in the NFL.



 
Tau Lotulelei (2013-16) – Still ranking fifth in school history with 318 career tackles, he succeeded his older brother as a Rebel leader and finished with a blistering 42.5 tackles for loss.


 
Tani Maka (2010-13) – Totaled 255 tackles, 14 TFL, four interceptions – and one MW Defensive Player of the Week nod.



 
SAFETIES
Frank Crawford (2013) – A transfer from Ole Miss, his four picks in 2013 helped UNLV get to a bowl game in his one and only season as a West Coast Rebel.


 
Peni Vea (2012-15) – UNLV's top tackling defensive back with a total of 328, which still ranks third among all Rebels. The big-hitter added 4.5 quarterback sacks and four interceptions.


 
Javin White (2016-19) – A versatile ballhawk who started games at linebacker and corner as well, the 2019 team captain finished sixth in career interceptions with nine and third in forced fumbles with seven.


 
 
CORNERBACKS
Will Chandler (2008-11) – Willie C only played one of his seasons in this decade but grabbed more interceptions that fall – five – than any player since All-American Kevin Thomas in 2001.


 
Jericho Flowers (2016-19) – Just named Second Team All-MW, Flowers leaves with seven career interceptions. BONUS NOTE: The versatile athlete moved to receiver as a freshman and caught a touchdown in overtime while also returning punts and kickoffs during his time as a Rebel.



 
Torry McTyer (2013-16) – The current Cincinnati Bengal was a three-year starter who won MW Player of the Week after picking off future NFL first-rounder Josh Allen twice to help win the famous three-OT game against Wyoming as a senior.


 
Quinton Pointer (2007-09, '11) – Another corner who just played one season this decade, the speedy Floridian had 226 tackles and six interceptions in the Scarlet & Gray before enjoying an NFL career.
 


 
 
THE REBEL SPECIALISTS

LONG SNAPPER
Nathan Guzman (2018) – A 5-foot-10 walk-on gem who not only was near-perfect in his snaps but used a relentless attitude to lead the nation among his position with seven tackles on special teams.


 
HOLDER
Kurt Palandech (2015-17) – The sometimes-starter at quarterback was also a phenomenal holder, twice correcting bad snaps in time for game-winning field goals during the 2016 season alone. BONUS NOTE: Went on to play one season for the Rebel baseball team and earlier this year led the Berlin Rebels into the postseason of the German Football League.
 


KICKER
Nolan Kohorst (2010-13) – The Green Valley High School grad was UNLV's career points leader until being surpassed by Lexington Thomas last fall. The son of former Rebel offensive lineman Keith Kohorst made more extra points than anyone in UNLV history and nailed the fourth-most field goals.


 
RETURNER
Marcus Sullivan (2010, 2012-14) – The local legend from Cheyenne High was a solid receiver but especially shined on special teams for the Rebels, leaving ranked No. 1 for career kickoff return average at 26.5 yards per attempt.
 


PUNTER
Logan Yunker (2013-15) – The product of Arbor View High School transferred home from UNR and turned in a memorable career, including winning MW Special Teams Player of the Week a school-record three times in two years. BONUS NOTE: Currently works as a model/actor (see below!).