RECRUITING: Spring Valley’s Holloway commits to UNLV

Nate Holloway didn't waste time changing the outgoing message on his cell phone, switching it Saturday to declare himself a UNLV player.

The Spring Valley High defensive tackle knew before this past weekend's recruiting visit he wanted to play football for the Rebels but checked out campus before committing.

Holloway (6 feet 3 inches, 322 pounds) saw enough, and he committed to UNLV.

Holloway is the third Rivals.com three-star prospect to commit to the Rebels. He is listed as the nation's No. 68 defensive tackle.

Scout.com rates him as a two-star recruit, but he is the fifth top-100 player to commit to UNLV. Scout ranks Holloway No. 78 among the country's top tackles.

Holloway is from Seattle, but he and his family moved to Salt Lake City. They stayed only three months, and now after a year in Las Vegas believed they have found a home. Given the moving around, Holloway didn't want to go away for school.

"It was a real big deal because we just got settled in," Holloway said Sunday.

But it was more than simply staying home. Holloway said he sees UNLV on the rise. The Rebels went 5-7 this year, their best record since 2003.

"I felt they're getting better every year, and I feel like the program is building," Holloway said. "By this time next year, we're going to get in a bowl game."