Rebels set to host QB, WR for recruiting visits

Its football recruiting class nearly finalized, UNLV will have a mostly quiet weekend with only two prospects visiting, including one who has committed.

Three-star quarterback Caleb Herring was the first prospect to commit to the Rebels in this class. He is joined on the visit by speedy wide receiver Irshad Stolden.

Herring (6 feet 4 inches, 180 pounds) is rated as the nation's No. 34 QB by Rivals.com and No. 64 by Scout.com.

Last season at Citrus Hill High School in Perris, Calif., he completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,039 yards with 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Oregon and Oregon State recently talked to Herring to see if he might reconsider his college choice.

"I'm strongly committed," Herring said. "My mind isn't changing anytime soon."

Herring said he was impressed by the coaches and the campus, which he previously visited. "I know the program is on the upswing, and that factored into my decision," he said. "I went back there in the summer after my junior year for a camp, and I was blown away by the finished product."

Herring said he committed in June largely because quarterbacks were being snapped up and he believed he didn't have as much time as players at other positions to made a decision. But he also knew where he wanted to go, and there was no reason to wait.

He might, however, have to wait a year to get on the field, with junior starter Omar Clayton and sophomore backup Mike Clausen returning.

"Redshirting has been from (the coaches') point of view and my point of view the best route to take," Herring said. "Because of the nature of the position, I'll to have to know the playbook inside and out."

Stolden (5-10, 165) was a first-team all-division receiver at Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) High. He caught 47 passes for 902 yards, a 19.2-yard average, and seven TDs last season.

If he commits to the Rebels, they would receive a sprinter who can stretch the field. Stolden has been timed at 21.7 seconds in the 200 meters.

UNLV could lose one of its commitments. Horace Miller (6-1, 210) of Baltimore's Dunbar High is visiting Louisville this weekend. Scout.com, which rates Miller as a two-star prospect and the nation's No. 105 weak-side linebacker, downgraded his commitment to a "soft verbal."

Signing day is Feb. 4. NCAA rules prohibit UNLV coach Mike Sanford from commenting about recruits until then.

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