Wearing helmets and shorts, UNLV football gathered on a warm Thursday morning at Rebel Park to turn in its final prep work before Saturday's final scrimmage.
 
And with the end of spring practice now in sight, we asked one of the newest Rebels, big senior defensive lineman Connor Murphy -- who is also the tallest current UNLV player at 6-foot-7 – how his first camp in Las Vegas has gone.
 
While new to campus, the USC transfer is actually one of the most experienced players on the team with 50 games played while suiting up for the Trojans of the Pac-12 Conference.
 
"I think spring went well, overall -- I'm getting what I came here for – a lot of reps," said Murphy. "A big part of coming to UNLV was Coach Chad (former USC assistant and second-year UNLV defensive line coach Chad Kauha'aha'a). He and Coach Arroyo recruited me hard to come over here. Being from the Phoenix area (Mesa, Arizona), this feels a lot like home and with this sweet, kick-butt facility right behind us in the Fertitta Complex along with the players' attitude on this team overall, we are definitely on the rise."
 
Murphy said reuniting with his former position coach in the desert was a big plus when looking for a new setting to stage his final season of college football.
 
"Because of Covid, looking to transfer was kind of blind dating, but with Coach Chad having been at USC, he knew what he was getting and I knew what I was getting."
 
After 14 practices, the graduate of powerhouse Brophy Prep said he is impressed with his new teammates.
 
"I think we have a bunch of studs up front, I really do. Obviously I wasn't here last year but we're on the upswing and looking forward to this upcoming season."
 
And is Murphy excited about making Allegiant Stadium his home this fall?
 
"Absolutely! Especially coming from the Coli (USC's LA Memorial Coliseum), I didn't think anything could beat that, but I haven't even been inside Allegiant yet and that place looks sweet and it's great to be in that pro atmosphere."
 
Rebel fans can look for big No. 90 come September 2 when UNLV opens the season by hosting Eastern Washington.