Rebels’ chart subject to revision

Bobby Hauck's process isn't hard to explain. Those who practice the best will be rewarded, UNLV's new coach says, regardless of position or if the player is a freshman or senior.

That's why junior C.J. Cox (5 feet 11 inches, 205 pounds) emerged from spring practice atop the depth chart at tailback over redshirt freshman Bradley Randle (5-7, 195) and senior Channing Trotter (5-9, 200).

Though Cox didn't show Randle's burst and penchant for big plays or Trotter's ability to bowl over defenders, Hauck said Cox "had the best spring."

"Consistency and playing better day in and day out is part of it," Hauck said. "You can't be great one day and not good the next."

The depth chart, of course, isn't locked in. Plenty could happen during training camp in August in determining who starts the Sept. 4 season opener against Wisconsin. So Randle and Trotter still have a chance to replace Cox. Hauck has said all three running backs will be used early in the season anyway.

Two freshmen -- Dionza Bradford (6-0, 200) and Tim Cornett (6-0, 195) -- also could figure in the mix.

"I hope all the freshmen come in ready to compete at every position," Hauck said. "I'm kind of a firm believer that guys at skill positions are more ready physically to handle the college game."

Most of the depth chart looks as expected, though redshirt freshman guard Sean Tesoro (ankle) and junior defensive end B.J. Bell (shoulder) are not listed because both missed spring drills because of injuries. Tesoro (6-2, 295) and Bell (6-2, 260) are potential starters.

"Anybody that was hurt and unable to participate in the spring is working from a deficit," Hauck said. "That's 15 practices behind. That's 15 spring practices, and they're pretty substantial. So it's hard for people to catch up."

Also noticeably absent is senior defensive tackle Malo Taumua (6-1, 270), a starter the past three seasons. Seniors Isaako Aaitui (6-4, 315) and Ramsey Feagai (6-2, 350) are listed as the first-team tackles, backed up by redshirt freshman Isaiah Shivers (6-1, 285) and freshman Nate Holloway (6-3, 350), who attended Spring Valley High School.

Another local product, freshman kicker/punter Nolan Kohorst (6-0, 165) from Green Valley, will be given every chance to play right away when he arrives in August. Those positions were left open on the depth chart.

"That will be a good competition in the fall," Hauck said. "Certainly, we didn't recruit Kohorst to do anything but come in and compete to win those jobs."

At cornerback, senior Quinton Pointer (5-10, 185) and junior Deante Purvis (5-11, 195) are on one side rather than starters on opposite ends. Junior Will Chandler (5-11, 185) and freshman Sidney Hodge (5-8, 175) from Palo Verde are on the other side.

But Hauck said not to read too much into those alignments.

"Even within a game, guys have to be able to play both sides," he said. "They're not locked into right and left corner, and we aren't going to be locked into boundary and field corner. The safeties are going to have to know both the strong and the free."

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