Rebels take hit at linebacker position

No area of UNLV's football team took a bigger hit since last season than linebacker, which lost every starter.

Junior C.J. Cox even switched from running back to help fill the void of a group that accounted for three of the team's top four tacklers.

As the Rebels near the end of spring practice, coach Bobby Hauck said he has been pleased with the linebackers. The unit, led by senior Nate Carter, should receive a boost with the August arrival of junior college transfer Princeton Jackson.

"We're inexperienced, but I think we've got a real shot to be decent there," Hauck said. "It seems like it's a different one in that group every day doing some good things. We've got to build consistency, but the ability is going to be there."

As for the rest of the team, Hauck said the offensive skill and cornerback positions show promise, and both lines have work to do.

"The running backs have had a strong spring," Hauck said. "The young wide receivers still are trying to figure out their route reading, but it's coming. The corners, I think, have come on. The safeties are up and down a little bit."

■ PICKING IT UP -- Senior defensive end B.J. Bell has had a rocky two years since transferring from Santa Ana (Calif.) College, where he made 24½ tackles for loss, including 10 sacks, in 2008.

Bell took a medical redshirt in 2009 after suffering a shoulder injury that September, and last season he dealt with a change in defensive systems when Hauck and his staff took over.

The result: Bell made just 3½ tackles for loss, including 1½ sacks, despite starting all 13 games.

He acknowledged the tough transition but said his "kinks are figured out now, and I'm ready to go and do my part."

Hauck said Bell's progress this spring has pleased him.

"He's doing a great job," Hauck said. "It's kind of like what I said about (running back) Bradley Randle, he's got his nose to the grindstone. He's not talking about it, he's just coming to work every day, which is what he needs to do."

■ WATCHING AND WAITING -- Senior cornerback Quinton Pointer is rehabilitating his left knee for a second time, this time after undergoing surgery in late September.

Pointer, UNLV's best cover corner, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the spring of 2005 but played his senior season of high school in Cape Coral, Fla. That injury was enough to keep schools such as Florida and Louisiana State from recruiting him.

This injury is forcing him to the sideline while others compete for playing time.

"It's horrible to see the guys out there going through it and I'm not out there with them," Pointer said.

Hauck expressed optimism the missed practice time would not be a significant setback for Pointer.

"He's a smart guy, so it's not like he won't pick up the scheme," Hauck said. "It's more the conditioning and getting his knee in shape."

■ FEELING GOOD -- One element has noticeably been missing this spring -- injured players standing off to the side.

Hauck noted no players missed Tuesday's practice to injuries suffered this spring, but 17 sat out the same workout last year. He credited the players' work in the weightroom for their improved health.

"Now we're probably lucky to a degree, but we're also in better shape," Hauck said.

■ GEAR FOR SALE -- UNLV will sell apparel from its men's and women's teams, some of it game-worn, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the North Gym.

It's part of campus festivities that day. The spring scrimmage is at 10 a.m. at Rebel Park, and a youth clinic (ages 6 to 12) follows at 11:30.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.