UNLV football returned to the field Tuesday on a windy and unseasonably chilly Las Vegas day, marking the start of week three of spring practice at Rebel Park. The two-plus hour session ended with a spirited competition in the trenches, pitting the offensive line against the defensive front. The offensive line held its ground in the blocking challenge and celebrated the victory loudly as those in red jerseys dropped down to the ground for a round of push ups.

Head coach Marcus Arroyo sees this offensive line not only improving each day but coming together as a group.

"They've done a nice job," said Arroyo after the session. "We finished there today, we put them on the spot in what we call our 'shot to win' - our last thing we do of the day - where we put those guys out there in some one-on-one pass rush situations and they did a nice job. They are getting the chance to be around each other more. Obviously Leif (Fautanu) is the heart of the middle, then you slide a guy in like Preston (Nichols) and having him gel with Daviyon (McDaniel), who he played with before at the last stop, and Tiger (Shanks) more developed and feeling more comfortable and Trigg (Amani Trigg-Wright) on the right side, having the core get a lot of reps together and more time with Coach Woods is huge. Those guys are getting more of a feel for each other and you can see it in their non-verbal communication."

With the graduation of longtime starter Julio Garcia, Arroyo was looking for a leader in that group and Fautanu has emerged as just that. The junior was recently named as one of six team captains heading into spring ball and the significance of that is not lost on the Honolulu native.

"It's a privilege and as a captain you know the guys are looking up to you," he said after practice. "You have to set the standard for everyone else."

In leading the team, Fautanu relies on what he learned from the outgoing Garcia to guide him.

"I learned from Julio you have to lead in a way that's authentic to you," said Fautanu. "I like to be vocal, but at the same time be very competitive and I believe that will impact the guys around me." 

Helping to solidify the line heading into the 2022 season is McDaniel, who came to UNLV from Charleston Southern in August and made an immediate impact last fall, starting all 12 games in 2021. He echoed Fautanu's sentiments about Garcia's leadership and McDaniel already sees Fautanu carrying on what Garcia started.

"Garcia had an impact on all of us. His work ethic and just being an all around great human being," said McDaniel. "Lief is leading in the same way and he's passing that on to all of us and our younger guys, so it's great to see."

Overall, McDaniel is encouraged by the vibe the team has as a whole as they move through the spring.

"Everybody is really bought in. No one is being selfish and everyone is doing what they can to help the team, finding ways to improve to make the whole team better, so that's been really fun to see."