UNLV football closing strong before Wednesday’s signing day
New UNLV football coach Marcus Arroyo took quite a risk by not signing any players during the early period in December, but the decision is paying off with a strong finish.
The Rebels had quite a recruiting haul in the final weekend before Wednesday’s signing day.
Here is a recap of the weekend. Most of the information is from 247Sports, which ranks UNLV’s class second in the Mountain West:
■ Tight end Kaleo Ballungay (6 feet, 5 inches, 238 pounds) of Kimball High School in Tracy, California. He is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports’ composite ratings. Also offered by California, Fresno State, Kansas State and UNR. Ballungay caught 40 passes for 751 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Deal me in🃏 #BEaREBEL pic.twitter.com/j68XlbNS0p
— K9 (@KaleoBallungay) February 2, 2020
■ All-purpose back Spencer Briggs (6-0, 205) of Gallatin (Tennessee) High. He is a two-star prospect, according to Rivals. Also offered scholarships by Toledo, Tennessee Tech and Tennessee-Martin.
#UNLV #BEaREBEL pic.twitter.com/Ae2vhonIoA
— Spencer (@S_BRIGGS14) February 2, 2020
■ Linebacker Ose Egbase (6-3, 213) of Crespi High in Encino, California. Also offered scholarships by Southern Utah and Dixie State.
Committed! 🔴⚫️ #BeaRebel #vegasbound #GoRebels #UNLV @coacharroyo @coachscottmb @porter_dameon @latsondheimer @adamgorney @coachkeith_1k @unlvfootball @CrespiAthletics @GregBiggins pic.twitter.com/lBqtnrgdtt
— Ose Egbase (@Egbase17) February 2, 2020
■ Safety Ricky Johnson (6-2, 170) of Cypress Falls High in Houston. He is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports’ composite ratings. Also offered scholarships by Air Force, Army, Texas-El Paso and Abilene Christian.
COMMITED!! ALL GLORY TO GOD #BEaREBEL pic.twitter.com/iCGJN8g3Mq
— Ricky (trey) Johnson III (@treyj4_) February 2, 2020
■ Defensive tackle Waisale Muavesi (6-3, 285) of Timpview High in Provo, Utah. He is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports’ composite ratings. Also offered scholarships by Washington State, UCLA and Idaho.
VEGAS IS HOME! #BEaREBEL #GoRebels @T_BirdFootball @coacharroyo @phansen14 @unlvfootball pic.twitter.com/HDHiet65Ly
— Waisale Muavesi (@Wmuavesi_104) February 2, 2020
■ Linebacker and long snapper Valen Penn (6-0, 215) of Madison High in San Antonio.
Proud to say I have committed to UNLV! #BEaREBEL #GoRebels @CoachPaopao @coacharroyo pic.twitter.com/CZALuHMyr9
— Valen Penn (@PennValen) February 2, 2020
■ Wide receiver Kalvin Souders (6-3, 195) of Central Catholic High in Portland, Oregon. He is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports’ composite ratings. Also offered scholarships by Navy and Idaho State. Souders caught 42 passes for 604 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Committed!!#GoRebels pic.twitter.com/1yn6rOpTQn
— Kalvin Souders (@KalvinSouders) February 2, 2020
■ Cornerback Edric Whitley (5-11, 160) of Weiss High in Pflugerville, Texas. He is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports’ composite ratings. Also offered scholarships by Miami, Mississippi, Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word.
#AGTG COMMITTED…#BeaRebel pic.twitter.com/ZqpCuZ3mqy
— 🍝 (@Edric_Whitley) February 2, 2020
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.