DBs seeking early edge

Football coaches don't like to waste any scholarships, but being wrong about a prospect who signs early can be especially damaging.

Such players are brought to campus in time for spring practices with the hope that they will play right away, maybe even start.

UNLV signed three players early -- cornerbacks Kenny Brown and Warren Zeigler and safety Alex De Giacomo -- who participated Monday in the first day of spring practices.

It's speaks volumes about how badly Rebels coaches want to upgrade a defense that tied with New Mexico for last in the Mountain West Conference with 24 touchdown passes allowed.

"We expect them to play," defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell said. "We didn't sign them to go sit on the bench. We needed some help there, and we tried to take care of our needs."

As much as UNLV hopes Brown, Zeigler and De Giacomo live up to expectations, it also plans to give incoming freshmen such as Charles Childers and Courtney Bridget a chance to make strong impressions in August. Junior college transfer Mike Grant also will arrive in late summer.

As for the defensive backs here now, the 5-foot-10-inch, 160-pound Brown will have three seasons of eligibility after joining UNLV from the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif. He was a Rivals.com three-star prospect after helping lead Canyons to a 12-1 record.

UNLV's initial depth chart lists Brown behind sophomore Deante Purvis at left corner.

Brown said he liked the idea of being able to come in and compete for immediate playing time.

"I liked what I saw here," he said. "I liked the opportunity to improve my skills and eventually start for the Rebels."

Zeigler, a 6-foot, 170-pounder, is No. 2 at right corner behind sophomore Will Chandler. Junior cornerback Quinton Pointer, however, is out this spring as he recovers from right shoulder surgery.

Rivals and Scout.com listed Zeigler as a two-star recruit at College of San Mateo (Calif.), where last season he broke up 10 passes and made an interception.

"It's a big advantage," Zeigler said of arriving early. "You learn the system. You mesh well with the players. You get to communicate as opposed to August, when things are moving much faster."

De Giacomo, a 6-foot, 185-pounder, was rated by Rivals as a three-star prospect at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif. He led his team with 57 tackles, and broke up three passes and intercepted one.

The Rebels list him No. 2 at strong safety behind sophomore Chris Jones. De Giacomo hopes to win the job or at least receive substantial playing time.

"It's tough competition, but there's a good chance," De Giacomo said.

• NOTES -- Coach Mike Sanford said he was pleased by the way his team responded to the 40 mph winds that whipped Rebel Park. "It was very windy out here ... and I thought we just practiced," he said. "I told (the players), 'We're going to have to play in a lot of different environments. We're going to have to play in Laramie (Wyo.). We're going to have to play in Colorado Springs (Colo.).' " ... Among the more notable first-team listings on the depth chart were redshirt freshman Sean Tesoro at offensive left guard, sophomore Matt Kravetz at defensive end, Jones at strong safety and junior Travis Dixon at free safety. Sanford cautioned it was early. ... Two University of Buffalo assistant coaches attended practice. ... UNLV next practices at 4 p.m. Wednesday and at 9:15 a.m. Friday. Practices are open to the public.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. For more on UNLV football, go to lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.