Four from Bishop Gorman among six local players set to visit UNLV

UNLV football fans have groaned for many years as top local talent not only left for Bowl Championship Series schools but even such places as Utah, San Diego State and UNR -- and later helped beat the Rebels.

New UNLV coach Bobby Hauck apparently is trying to put an end to those days. Six local high school players will visit this weekend, and four attend powerhouse Bishop Gorman.

NCAA rules prohibit Hauck from commenting on recruits until signing day, which is Feb. 3.

Those visiting from state champion Gorman are defensive end Ian Bobak (6 feet 4 inches, 235 pounds), linebacker Evan Palelei (6-3, 230), wide receiver Taylor Spencer (6-2, 185) and running back Victor Belen (5-10, 175).

Bobak's visit could be an indication he is softening on his commitment to UNR. Rivals.com and Scout.com list him as a three-star prospect, and Scout ranks him as the nation's No. 111 end.

Palelei, whose father, Lonnie, was a top UNLV player and NFL veteran, is a three-star recruit by Rivals and a two-star by Scout. Rivals ranks him the nation's No. 78 linebacker. Colorado and Stanford have offered him scholarships.

Spencer, a two-star prospect by both services, has received offers from Utah and Northern Arizona. Belen, a Rivals two-star recruit and a Scout one-star, has offers from San Diego State, Navy and Northern Arizona.

Also visiting are Green Valley kicker Nolan Kohorst (6-0, 175) and Desert Pines safety Eric Tuiloma (5-11, 185).

Kohorst is listed by Scout as a three-star recruit and a two-star by Rivals. Scout also ranks him the nation's No. 9 kicker, and Kohorst has offers from Air Force and Wyoming. Rivals gives two stars to Tuiloma, who has received an offer from Northern Arizona.

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