Seasoned depth not a strength for Rebels

Editor's note: This is the fourth story in a series examining the top five questions the UNLV football team faces as it prepares to open training camp Saturday. Today's question: Because of a lack of depth, how much would injuries affect the Rebels?

With 15 starters returning, UNLV is one of the most experienced Mountain West Conference teams, going deep at quarterback, tailback and linebacker.

But the Rebels also could suffer major drop-offs should injuries pile up.

The depth chart includes three freshmen at No. 2 wide receiver, one at right guard, two at defensive tackle and three in the secondary.

UNLV's offensive line also is vulnerable. The most experienced backups, sophomore tackles Shane Watterson and Yusef Rodgers, each have played in only six games.

Coach Bobby Hauck downplayed the effect injuries could have, saying every school is vulnerable.

"Even at places like Texas and Ohio State ... if you lose a whole bunch of players, your second and third group are not as good as your first group," Hauck said. "If we get a bunch of injuries, that's certainly not going to help us, but that doesn't make us unique."

Still, with perhaps the most demanding schedule in school history, the Rebels have less margin for error.

Unlike previous coach Mike Sanford, Hauck soon will oversee a program that will be at the 85-scholarship limit. The Rebels are at 82 and could reach the maximum this season by awarding scholarships to walk-ons, which would count against next year's 25-member recruiting class.

Sanford spent most of his five seasons in the 70s, finally reaching 80 last year.

Hauck and Sanford share the philosophy of recruiting high school players. Only one of Hauck's signees in his first class this year, tight end Anthony Vidal, was a junior-college transfer. That means once Hauck reaches 85, he should be able to stay there.

■ NOTE -- Dionza Bradford, expected to compete at tailback, probably will grayshirt and enroll in January. That means freshman Tim Cornett almost certainly will receive playing time and could compete to start.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.