Rebels looking at loss of defensive starters, Hinds

A second key defensive player is gone, a third could be on the way out and a top prospect remains ineligible.

Oh, and quarterback Rocky Hinds' playing days at UNLV appear over.

Rebels coach Mike Sanford said Hinds was enrolled for Tuesday's first day of the spring semester, but was not at the team's morning meeting.

"As far as I know, he's not part of our football team," Sanford said.

Asked if he was proceeding as if Hinds never would return, Sanford said, "That's what I would say."

Attempts to reach Hinds were unsuccessful.

Hinds, a Southern California transfer who once was considered UNLV's quarterback of the future, never came back from a second major injury to his right knee. That injury occurred in the second game of the 2006 season at Iowa State, but he played the rest of the year on a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The tear was repaired in January 2007, and Hinds missed spring practices but was able to take part when training camp opened in August. However, he left early in camp, and his Los Angeles-based doctor determined the cadaver graft inserted into the knee was half torn.

Hinds then missed the entire 2007 season.

Hinds remains on scholarship even if he doesn't return.

The Rebels will have to find someone to replace safety Shane Horton, who started five games last season as a freshman. Sanford said Horton "wants to pursue transferring to a Pac-10 school."

Horton is the second starting defensive player to leave the Rebels this month. End Jeremy Geathers left early to enter the NFL Draft.

"It's too bad, but we have to move on," Sanford said. "I think Shane was a little bit of a surprise, but we kind of expected it with Geathers. Not that I expected him to get drafted, but his family convinced him to come out early."

Starting defensive tackle Jacob Hales, a Las Vegas High graduate, also might not return for his senior season.

"That's something he's been thinking about for some time," Sanford said. "He's torn between his love of football and wanting to move on with his life."

No surprise to Sanford, but the Rebels will not get highly touted defensive end Larry Dennis, who remains academically ineligible. Dennis was a Scout.com four-star prospect when he signed with the Rebels last February, but was academically ineligible to play last season.

"He had stuff he didn't get done academically for UNLV," Sanford said. "I have no idea where he will end up."

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