Cornerback making strides

ELY -- Junior cornerback Mike Grant wanted to play at UNLV two years ago but admitted he "couldn't get it done in the classroom."

So it was off to Sierra Community College in Rocklin, Calif., before finally signing with the Rebels in February.

And now Grant is not wasting this chance. He has been operating with the first-team defense and was spectacular Friday morning. Grant intercepted a pass, broke up one in the end zone and used great coverage to force an incompletion on another.

"I always say preparation is the best thing for you, and today I prepared like I wanted to win a championship," Grant said. "So I came out here and I gave everything I had."

Grant hasn't won the job, but don't bet against him. Coach Mike Sanford singled him out on the first day of preseason practices as a newcomer who caught his eye.

The Rebels might have two new starting cornerbacks when they open their season Sept. 5 against Sacramento State at Sam Boyd Stadium. Junior-college transfer Warren Zeigler, who had an outstanding spring, also was with the first team.

"We don't have any depth-chart finality right now," Sanford said. "They're working with the first team, but they're not clear-cut first team."

• AUDITION TIME -- UNLV will have its major scrimmage of the preseason at 10 a.m. today.

Sanford said the priorities are "scrimmaging a variety of situations," getting the starters up to "game speed, game ready" and evaluating those competing for Nos. 1 and 2 spots on the depth chart.

The major battles appear to be at tailback and in the secondary.

"We were kind of hoping for a little bit of a separation," running backs coach DeAndre Smith said of his position. "With the scrimmage coming (today), it will probably make some things a little clearer for us."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest practice reports at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.