OFFENSE

Bobby Hauck’s first priority in his second year as UNLV football coach will be finding a replacement for record-breaking quarterback Omar Clayton — who started most of the previous four seasons for the Rebels, set a school-record for most games played by a quarterback (40), including 35 as a starter, and finished second in school history only to Randall Cunningham in passing yards (6,560) and TD passes (48).

Athletic sophomore Caleb Herring, who saw limited action in eight games last season and also received valuable practice time as Clayton’s backup, is the frontrunner. However, strong-armed mid-year junior college transfer Sean Reilly made big strides during spring practice, and Hauck will wait until fall camp before picking a starter.

A young and rebuilt offensive line must replace three longtime starters. As many as three redshirt freshmen, including left tackle Cameron Jefferson and center Robert Waterman, could start.
The most improved position on the team could be running back, where hard-nosed sophomore Tim Cornett returns after rushing for a school freshman-record 546 yards and scoring eight total touchdowns. Freshman Dionza Bradford raised eyebrows with a strong spring practice.

Wide receiver — led by seniors Phillip Payne and Michael Johnson, explosive sophomore Marcus Sullivan and talented mid-year junior college transfer Eric Johnson — is the team’s biggest strength.

DEFENSE

The Rebels return only three starters from a unit that ranked near the bottom nationally in nearly every major defensive category a year ago while allowing a dismal 39.7 points per game.

Hauck signed two highly decorated junior college recruits, tackle Louvan Green and lanky 6'7" end Trent Allmang-Wilder, to bolster a young defensive line that took its share of lumps a year ago when it allowed an average of 222.7 yards per game on the ground and 39 rushing touchdowns.

An even bigger concern is linebacker, where all three starters must be replaced. Big things are expected from junior college All-American Princeton Jackson. Senior middle backer Nate Carter, one of the conference’s premier special teams players, is the top returnee.
The secondary should be much improved with the return of senior corner Quinton Pointer from knee surgery. Another corner, Will Chandler, tied for the MWC lead with five interceptions last year as a junior.

SPECIALISTS

Nolan Kohurst, who converted 8-of-11 field goals and 29-of-30 PATs as a freshman, will battle junior college transfer Chase Lansford, son of former NFL star Mike Lansford, for placekicking and punting duties. Sullivan, who finished second in the MWC in kickoff returns (27.9 ypr), heads a strong group of return men that also includes Cornett and Eric Johnson.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The rebuilding project continues for UNLV, which finished 2–11 in the first year of the Hauck era. The Rebels, who played 23 freshmen in 2010, will once again lean heavily on another strong recruiting class that includes eight junior college transfers. The schedule, which features seven road games and four teams (TCU, Boise State, Wisconsin and Nevada) ranked in the top 11 a year ago, is once again difficult. The Rebels will be improved but are still probably a year away from making a legitimate run at a rare bowl game.