Misses outnumber hits in past decade of UNLV recruiting

Misses outnumber hits in past decade of unlv recruiting

College football recruiting is far from an exact science, and even the top programs routinely miss on players. UNLV has had its share of hits and misses -- though more misses than hits -- on players considered quality recruits.

Here is a breakdown of the top five players who lived up to their recruiting status and the top five who didn't. The list goes back to the 2000 recruiting class, and players are listed alphabetically. Transfers from four-year schools are not included, and those who excelled but weren't considered top prospects are omitted.

GOT IT DONE

■ Jamaal Brimmer -- USA Today high school Nevada Player of the Year. Football News first-team All-American in 2003, and in 2004 was named to the second team by Sporting News and to the third team by The Associated Press. The safety was the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the media and coaches in 2002 and by the media in 2003.

■ Joe Hawley -- No. 99 player in California by Rivals.com. Selected UNLV over Wisconsin and Arizona. Played in 11 games as an incoming freshman, and ended UNLV career with 28 starts from 2006 to 2009. The second-year pro has started eight games this season for the Atlanta Falcons.

■ Earvin Johnson -- Nation's No. 14 wide receiver by Rivals and No. 19 by Student Sports. No. 93 overall recruit by Bobby Burton's Rivals100.com and No. 94 by Student Sports. Caught 183 passes from 2001 to 2004, which then ranked second in UNLV history. Also had 2,604 yards and 16 touchdowns, and hauled in 60 receptions in each of his final two seasons.

■ Phillip Payne -- No. 3 recruit in Nevada by Scout.com and No. 70 wide receiver in the nation by ESPN Insider. Though his best work came in the first two seasons, Payne completed his UNLV career this year with a school-record 26 career touchdown receptions. Also finished with 171 catches for 2,295 yards, both ranking in the top eight.

■ Frank Summers -- A top-100 junior college player by Rivals and a first-team JC Athletic Bureau All-American. Selected UNLV over Southern California, Utah and Washington State. Rushed for 928 yards in 2007 and 740 in 2008 and a combined 14 touchdowns. Is on the San Diego Chargers' practice squad.

FELL SHORT

■ Jordan Barrett -- Nation's No. 12 strongside linebacker by Scout, No. 16 inside linebacker by Scouts Inc. and No. 47 inside linebacker by Rivals. Played tight end in his lone season of action, catching two passes for 5 yards in 2009. Walked on to UCLA the following year and was listed fifth at tight end this season.

■ David Blair -- No. 16 middle linebacker in the nation by Scout and No. 55 inside linebacker by ESPN Insider. Played linebacker in his one season of action, in 2009, appearing in seven games and making 10 tackles. Switched to fullback in the spring of 2010 but later was ruled medically unable to play.

■ Torrie Coleman -- No. 54 running back in the nation by Rivals. Selected UNLV over Oregon State, UCLA, Colorado and Fresno State. A knee injury sidelined him in 2005, and he left in the summer of 2006, transferring to a junior college. Later walked on at Arizona State.

■ A.J. Rodriguez -- No. 54 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals. Selected UNLV over New Mexico. Didn't make it through training camp, quitting in August 2005.

■ Aaron Straiten -- No. 28 junior college player by Rivals. Selected UNLV over Oregon State, Texas A&M and Arizona. Coach Mike Sanford compared him to three ex-Southern California and NFL standouts. Showed flashes of talent but fell short of expectations by catching a combined 45 passes for 534 yards and three touchdowns in 2006 and 2007.

MARK ANDERSON/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL