Head start helps Rebels WR

UNLV freshman wide receiver Mark Barefield didn't wait until this week to get his first taste of trying to balance college academics and football.

The 18-year-old took two third-session summer-school classes while also waking up at 6:30 a.m. every day for offseason conditioning.

Barefield learned his way around campus and discovered he couldn't rely on professors to announce homework assignments.

"After taking those college classes in the summer and getting guidelines through the syllabus and knowing when homework is due without teachers telling you, that was a big difference from high school," Barefield said. "I went in heads-up in the fall."

Barefield earned an A in African-American Film and a B-plus in People in Technology.

Without that preparation, Barefield said he couldn't imagine what this week would be like as he takes on a full schedule of classes while preparing for the Rebels' Sept. 5 season opener against Sacramento State at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Coach Mike Sanford has taken academics seriously since arriving in December 2004. Grade-point averages and graduation rates have risen considerably on his watch.

The team's GPA in the 2004 season, the final under previous coach John Robinson, was 2.28. In 2005, UNLV received an 868 graduation-rate score from the NCAA, with 925 representing 50 percent.

UNLV's team GPA this past spring was 2.58, but the cumulative mark was 2.77. The team received a 929 score from the NCAA.

Assistant coaches are responsible for their position players, and there is a staff meeting every week to discuss each player's academic performance. Freshmen must spend eight hours in study hall each week.

Another key has been recruiting the right kind of players. When Sanford took over, he cut loose some team members who weren't doing enough academically. Sanford said he takes academic performance into account when evaluating prospects.

"The combination of a better student and better guy," Sanford said. "The better character guy is going to take care of business."

Wide receiver Ryan Wolfe is a role model for the type of player Sanford wants on his team.

Not only is Wolfe considered the Mountain West Conference's best receiver, he already has earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiological sciences and is pursuing a master's degree in sports education leadership.

Wolfe had a 3.83 GPA in the spring term, the team's highest.

"When I was little, the main goal was school, and then if you did well in school the reward would be athletics," Wolfe said. "That's kind of how I look at it. I came here to get my degree first and do well on the football field afterward."

UNLV usually enters the first week of school and game preparation soon after returning from its annual training camp in Ely. This year, the college football season begins a week later, so Rebels players are taking this week to get into an academic routine while the season opener is still more than a week away.

It's especially helpful for the newcomers to make the adjustment.

Freshman tight end Jordan Barrett wasn't expected to enroll until January. But a roster spot opened up because wide receiver Marcus Sullivan has not passed his state-required math proficiency exam. So Barrett enrolled about two weeks ago and joined the team in Ely.

"The friends I've made on the team have helped me out with class," Barrett said. "The guys are showing me where to go. It was a big help coming in being so new."

Barrett might want to take Barefield's advice: Always read the syllabus.

"I think I would've been way overwhelmed," Barefield said, "without the summer classes."

• NOTES -- Defensive end Preston Brooks sprained his left knee, and the severity probably won't be known until today. ... Tailback C.J. Cox (hamstring) again did not practice. ... Offensive lineman Doug Zismann (concussion) was limited in practice but is expected to take part in all drills today.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.