Breaking down the Rebels

UNLV football coach Mike Sanford broke down how the depth chart looks now that spring practices have ended. Players listed have the most reasonable chance to see playing time next season.

OFFENSE

QB
No. 1: Jr. Omar Clayton
No. 2: So. Mike Clausen
No. 3: Jr. Les Obie
No. 4: Fr. Caleb Herring
Clayton is the clear starter, but Clausen should once again see plenty of action. Herring is a top recruit and probable QB of the future who coaches would prefer to redshirt.

TB
No. 1: So. C.J. Cox/Sr. Chris Brogdon
No. 3: Fr. Imari Thompson/Jr. Channing Trotter
No. 5: Fr. Bradley Randle
Randle could zoom all the way up to No. 1 with a strong preseason camp. The opportunity is there, and he figures to at least be a big part of the offense.

WR (SE)
No. 1: So. Phillip Payne
No. 2: Sr. Jerriman Robinson
WR (H)
No. 1: Sr. Ryan Wolfe
No. 2: Possibility is Fr. Marcus Sullivan
WR (Y)
No. 1: Sr. Rodelin Anthony
No. 2: Sr. Renan Saint Preux
WR (Z)
No. 1: So. Michael Johnson
No. 2: Fr. Tate Knutson/Fr. Mark Barefield
UNLV should have the Mountain West Conference's best receiving corps.

OL (LT)
No. 1: Jr. Matt Murphy
No. 2: So. Thomas Wren/Fr. Yusef Rodgers
OL (RT)
No. 1: Jr. Evan Marchal
No. 2 Wren/Fr. Thomas Kilgore
OL (LG)
No. 1: Fr. Sean Tesoro
No. 2: Jr. Ramsey Feagai/Fr. Doug Zismann
OL (RG)
No. 1: Sr. Joe Hawley
No. 2: Feagai/Zismann
OL (C)
No. 1: Jr. John Gianninoto
No. 2: Feagai/Fr. Andrew Mack
The starters could be among the MWC's best, but plenty of questions remain about the backups.

DEFENSE

DL (end)
No. 1: Jr. Isaako Aaitui
No. 2: Jr. Preston Brooks
DL (end)
No. 1:Sr. Heivaha Mafi/Jr. B.J. Bell
DL (tackle)
No. 1: Sr. Martin Tevaseu
No. 2: Jr. Lale Taiese
DL (tackle)
No. 1: Jr. Malo Taumua
No. 2: So. Matt Kravetz
After briefly claiming the No. 1 spot at one end, Brooks moved back to the other side. Bell has potential to be a major pass rusher. Taumua was the MVP of spring.

LB (weak side)
No. 1: Sr. Jason Beauchamp
No. 2: So. Nate Carter
LB (middle)
No. 1: Jr. Ronnie Paulo
No. 2: Fr. David Blair
LB (strong side)
No. 1: Jr. Starr Fuimaono
No. 2: So. Beau Orth
Probably the deepest part of the team and one of the most talented. Should be among the MWC's top linebacking units.

DB (CB)
No. 1: So. Deante Purvis/Jr. Warren Zeigler
No. 3: So. Kenny Brown/Fr. Charles Childers
DB (CB)
No. 1: Jr. Quinton Pointer/So. Will Chandler
No. 3: Jr. Mike Grant
No. 4: Sr. Ryan Tillman
No. 5: Fr. Courtney Bridget
DB (S)
No. 1: So. Chris Jones/Jr. Alex Di Giacomo
No. 3: Sr. Terrance Lee
DB (S)
No. 1: Jr. Travis Dixon/Sr. Marquel Martin
DB (NB)
No. 1: Lee
Lee is the starting nickel back, an important spot considering how many spread teams the Rebels face. Newcomers must produce and Pointer must successfully return from shoulder surgery for the secondary to bounce back from a tough season.