Rebels’ recruiting flaws show

Recruiting is the lifeblood for any college sport, and UNLV's defense is anemic because of shortcomings in football coach Mike Sanford's early classes.

Now Sanford and his staff are trying to make up for it.

For all the missed tackles and recent failures to make big plays, better days might be ahead. Scout.com West recruiting manager Brandon Huffman said the Rebels' bolstered recruiting efforts should bear fruit.

"It seems this year and maybe somewhat last year, they started being aggressive in going after good defensive players," Huffman said. "They had some talent with (current Cleveland Browns) Eric Wright and Beau Bell. They could've sold it a little better. I think (Sanford has) done a better job in the last year ... getting out there early.

"It will help in 2010, 2011."

The Rebels already have received a commitment from Reggie Umuolo, a Scout.com two-star linebacker from Peoria, Ariz., for the 2009 class. They also have promising young defenders such as Ronnie Paulo, Beau Orth, Nate Carter and Malo Taumua.

But UNLV (3-4, 0-3 Mountain West) has allowed more than 500 yards in each of the past three games and has just six takeaways all season. The Rebels reached this low point for a reason.

Huffman said it's because the offensive-minded Sanford, like many new coaches, focused on one side of the ball in recruiting. Now UNLV is hurting for notable junior and senior defensive players, though defensive tackle Jacob Hales and linebacker Jason Beauchamp proved to be excellent signings.

No unit, however, stokes memories of the 2004 Rebels linebacker corps that produced NFL Draft picks Adam Seward and Ryan Claridge.

Sanford said different pressing needs each year required the most attention in recruiting. He noted upgrades at wide receiver and running back and said he was pleased with the defensive front.

"We are thin in the secondary right now," Sanford said. "I've been saying that all along."

Two quarterbacks, Chris Jones and Travis Dixon, even shifted to safety before this season. The secondary has been beaten deep numerous times, and even ground-based Air Force burned the Rebels for touchdown passes of 28 and 44 yards in Saturday's 29-28 victory.

Next up is Saturday's 11 a.m. PDT game at Brigham Young (6-1, 2-1) and quarterback Max Hall, who has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,119 yards and 20 touchdowns. It could be a long afternoon for the 23-point underdog Rebels.

While saying the Cougars have opportunities to make plays, Hall called UNLV's defense "tough and aggressive."

But do the Rebels have the players to win games?

"Well, we've won three," UNLV defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell said. "We've beaten the 15th team in the nation (Arizona State). We've got to play better. We've got some guys beat up and banged up a little bit, and their backups have got to play better. That's what it comes down to.

"Except the defensive line. We've got the depth in there. When we roll them in there, I feel very comfortable with them."

But the defensive line hasn't shined, either. The Rebels have given up more than 200 yards rushing three games in a row, though Sanford and Therrell pointed out much of Air Force's yardage came on a handful of big plays.

Still, giving up big plays is a trend and not an anomaly -- and all parts of the defense have been responsible.

UNLV wasn't helped by the offseason departures of safety Shane Horton and defensive end Jeremy Geathers. Horton transferred to Southern California, and Geathers went undrafted after declaring for the NFL. And linebacker Starr Fuimaono suffered a season-ending knee injury Sept. 6 at Utah.

Changes need to be made, and the focus in next year's recruiting class is improving the secondary, which loses Geoffery Howard and Lorenzo Bursey Jr.

"We have some really good young players in the secondary that are developing," Sanford said. "We're not ready to completely unleash them and let them play all the time. But we need to continue to recruit quality corners, safeties."

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