Rebels add speed with receiver/returner Surrell
The lack of a game-breaking wide receiver or return specialist has been one of coach Mike Sanford's great frustrations at UNLV.
Going into his fourth season with the Rebels, Sanford might have found both in Gerome Surrell, who committed to UNLV on Sunday.
Surrell runs the 40-yard dash in about 4.5 seconds and is rated as a two-star prospect by Scout.com. The recruiting service ranks Surrell (5 feet 10 inches, 197 pounds) as the nation's No. 213 receiver.
"(UNLV) showed a lot of support through the recruiting process," said Surrell, who attends St. Mary's High School in Stockton, Calif. "They offered (a scholarship) at the end of my junior year. They never disappeared."
That wasn't the case with Boise State, which withdrew its offer. Surrell said he had planned to visit UNR next week, but now will not make the trip.
The Rebels also picked up a commitment from defensive end Beau Brence (6-4, 230) of Plano (Texas) Senior High. Brence also visited Army.
NCAA rules prohibit Sanford from commenting on recruits.
Sanford did say he does not plan to hire a new defensive line coach until about mid-February to replace Kurt Barber, who resigned last month.
Barber also was a co-defensive coordinator.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.
