Defensive tackle Aaitui glad to help teammates

ELY -- Freshman defensive tackle Nate Holloway watched intently Monday after practice, receiving instruction on how to get into a three-point stance and drive into the blocking sled.

His teacher wasn't a UNLV assistant coach, but senior tackle Isaako Aaitui.

Aaitui also worked with Holloway on Saturday and spent time after Monday morning's practice mentoring five teammates.

"I noticed they're young, so I figure I've got to do something. I've got to teach them in order for them to progress to next year," Aaitui said.

The Rebels have five freshman tackles in camp behind probable starters Aaitui and Ramsey Feagai, both seniors.

When Aaitui first arrived at UNLV from American Samoa in 2006 he was a shy, raw football player who barely spoke English. Now the 6-foot-4-inch 315-pounder speaks English fluently and has adopted a leadership role.

"In my senior year, that was my goal, was to teach these young kids their basic stuff," Aaitui said. "It's always been my dream. I love to help."

Moonlighting as an assistant hasn't hurt his performance on the field. Aaitui batted three passes and pressured quarterback Mike Clausen into an incompletion in Monday's two practice sessions.

"When you get done with (practice), the first thing you want to do is get a drink and get in the ice tub," coach Bobby Hauck said. "He's giving his time to help the young guys get better."

■ RESTING IN PEACE -- Hauck had some fun at Caleb Herring's expense after the redshirt freshman quarterback held onto the ball too long during a drill in the morning practice.

Herring was given a yellow flower that looked like a daisy and told to lie on his back and play dead for about 10 minutes while teammates ran drills in front of him.

"When your quarterbacks are never getting hit, they've got to understand that those people are coming," Hauck said. "You hate to see the quarterback sitting there, while the blitzers are running by him, holding the ball."

■ THOMPSON UPDATE -- Sophomore tailback Imari Thompson left for Las Vegas on Monday morning and is expected to have an MRI exam on his injured right leg this morning.

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