Infusion fails to boost Rebels’ woeful defense

Junior college players are usually signed to address a need on a football team but often don't provide instant help.

Their transition can be arduous as they struggle to adjust to the major college level and to live up to expectations.

UNLV cornerback Mike Grant said he now has a better grasp of the playbook but hasn't "gotten too comfortable yet."

Grant is one of five junior college players the Rebels signed before this season to address shortcomings in the secondary and rushing the passer.

The results have been mixed at best as UNLV (2-3, 0-1 Mountain West Conference) prepares to host Brigham Young (4-1, 1-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Two of the five transfers, defensive end B.J. Bell and cornerback Kenny Brown, are expected to redshirt.

Bell had 10 sacks last season at Santa Ana (Calif.) College and was recruited to be the pass rusher the Rebels lacked. But deep into training camp, he still couldn't move beyond third team on the depth chart.

"That position is tough," defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell said. "We signed Vaha Mafi last year, and he struggled the first year being able to learn because it's a hybrid position where you've got to play linebacker (and) you've got to be a defensive end. It's probably the hardest position to learn on our defense."

Brown is a sophomore, so redshirting provides him extra time to develop.

Like Brown, the other three junior college transfers are defensive backs. Each player has started once and received significant playing time. Safety Alex De Giacomo has been on the field for 169 plays, Grant 151 and cornerback Warren Zeigler 133.

"I've been very pleased that we've been able to get them out there and get snaps out of them," Therrell said. "They've played pretty well."

De Giacomo has 19 tackles and a forced fumble, Grant has an interception, a fumble recovery, four tackles and a tackle for loss, and Zeigler's only statistics are his two tackles.

"Three of the five (transfers) I would consider in our top group," coach Mike Sanford said. "They're playing a lot."

The players might just be following the typical timetable for making the transition from junior college. But for UNLV, that's a problem.

The Rebels' defense ranked near the bottom of the Mountain West Conference in most categories last season.

Sanford, feeling a sense of urgency, went against his philosophy of recruiting mostly high school players, dipping heavily into the junior college ranks.

UNLV appeared to do a good job in recruiting, signing three players that Rivals.com rated three-star prospects and a pair of two-star prospects.

It was clear UNLV wanted and needed to improve its defense in a hurry.

But that hasn't happened. Its statistics are roughly the same this season as last.

That's not entirely the fault of the Rebels' new players. But perhaps they can make a difference yet this season.

"They're going to play more and more and more as the season goes on," Sanford said. "This is a long season. This thing evolves and changes as the season goes along."

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