Breaking down Sanford’s recruiting class

Now that UNLV football coach Mike Sanford has put the wraps on his most-touted recruiting class, it’s time to look at this group player by player.

WR Brandon Babineaux
Size: 6-4, 200
Last school: Folsom HS
Hometown: Folsom, Calif.
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Could play, but UNLV is set with big receivers in Phillip Payne and Rodelin Anthony, so there’s a good chance he will redshirt.
Interesting tidbit: Cousins Jordan Babineaux with the Seattle Seahawks and Jonathan Babineaux with the Atlanta Falcons play in the NFL. Brother Justin played college basketball at Mississippi.

WR Mark Barefield
Size: 6-0, 185
Last school: Wills Point HS
Hometown: Wills Point, Texas
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Probably will redshirt, but speed might get him playing time at receiver and/or special teams.
Interesting tidbit: Had to play senior season at North Mesquite (Texas) High because his home burned down.

LB Jordan Barrett
Size: 6-3, 225
Last school: Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Hometown: Oak Park, Calif.
Scout.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 12 strong-side linebacker
Rivals.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 47 inside linebacker; California’s No. 85 prospect
Chances of playing next season: Has a chance to play not only linebacker, but defensive end, tight end and on special teams.
Interesting tidbit: Received early scholarship offers from Notre Dame and Washington.

DE B.J. Bell
Size: 6-3, 250
Last school: Santa Ana (Calif.) College
Hometown: Tustin, Calif.
Scout.com: Three stars
Rivals.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 45 junior college prospect
Chances of playing next season: The Rebels need a pass rusher, and the opportunity is there to make an instant impact.
Interesting tidbit: Brothers Zach and Beau were UNLV linebackers, and Beau now is with the Cleveland Browns.

DB Courtney Bridget
Size: 6-3, 190
Last school: Dunbar HS
Hometown: Baltimore
Scout.com: Two stars; nation’s No. 99 cornerback
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Ability to play cornerback or safety increases his opportunity to play, but good chance he will redshirt.
Interesting tidbit: Played on three consecutive state championship teams.

CB Kenny Brown
Size: 5-10, 160
Last school: College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, Calif.)
Hometown: Palmdale, Calif.
Scout.com: Not rated
Rivals.com: Three stars
Chances of playing next season: As a midyear junior college transfer, he should not only play, but have an excellent chance to compete for a starting job.
Interesting tidbit: A rare sophomore JC, he will have three seasons of eligibility.

DB Charles Childers
Size: 5-11, 185
Last school: Bishop Gorman HS
Hometown: Las Vegas
Scout.com: Two stars; nation’s No. 131 safety
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Expected to play immediately, and could be next season’s version of Phillip Payne, a local who turned into a key player.
Interesting tidbit: Made six tackles in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Conway, S.C.

S Alex De Giacomo
Size: 6-1, 190
Last school: El Camino College (Torrance, Calif.)
Hometown: Westminster, Calif.
Scout.com: One star
Rivals.com: Three stars
Chances of playing next season: Would be a disappointment if the midyear signee didn’t play immediately. Needs to push to start and upgrade weakest position.
Interesting tidbit: Played freshman season at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif.

DB Mike Grant
Size: 5-11, 185
Last school: Sierra College (Rocklin, Calif.)
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Will compete to play in the secondary and as a punt returner.
Interesting tidbit: Intercepted 13 passes in two seasons at Sierra.

QB Caleb Herring
Size: 6-4, 175
Last school: Citrus Hill HS (Perris, Calif.)
Hometown: Moreno Valley, Calif.
Scout.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 64 quarterback
Rivals.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 34 pro-style quarterback; California’s No. 98 player
Chances of playing next season: Probably will redshirt with Omar Clayton and Mike Clausen returning, but much is expected in future years.
Interesting tidbit: Ending high school career with 28-game winning streak and back-to-back section championships.

DB Sidney Hodge
Size: 5-8, 160
Last school: Palo Verde HS
Hometown: North Las Vegas
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Expected to grayshirt and enroll full time in January 2010.
Interesting tidbit: Played his freshman and sophomore seasons at a school in Corpus Christi, Texas, before moving.

DL Nate Holloway
Size: 6-3, 320
Last school: Spring Valley HS
Hometown: North Las Vegas
Scout.com: Two stars; nation’s No. 87 defensive tackle
Rivals.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 68 defensive tackle; Nevada’s No. 8 player
Chances of playing next season: Might redshirt, but could at least provide depth inside if needed.
Interesting tidbit: A versatile athlete who also has competed in baseball, basketball and track at Spring Valley.

OL Thomas Kilgore
Size: 6-4, 310
Last school: San Joaquin Memorial HS
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Might be able to provide depth and later become an integral part of the line.
Interesting tidbit: Did not allow a sack at left tackle last season.

C Andrew Mack
Size: 6-2, 285
Last school: Plano West HS
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Has an opportunity to be a backup center.
Interesting tidbit: Also played hockey at Plano West.

RB Bradley Randle
Size: 5-8, 195
Last school: Vista Murrieta HS
Hometown: Murrieta, Calif.
Scout.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 50 running back
Rivals.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 50 running back
Chances of playing next season: Expected to play, and could start. Also could return kickoffs.
Interesting tidbit: Dad, Lenny, played major league baseball from 1971 to 1982.

WR Irshad Stolden
Size: 5-9, 160
Last school: Rancho Cucamonga HS
Hometown: Ranch Cucamonga, Calif.
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Don’t be surprised if he grayshirts, but speed will be valuable whenever he gets in.
Interesting tidbit: Averaged 19.7 yards per catch.

WR Marcus Sullivan
Size: 5-10, 170
Last school: Cheyenne HS
Hometown: North Las Vegas
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars; Nevada’s No. 14 player
Chances of playing next season: Excellent chance to play for a team that needs greater speed.
Interesting tidbit: Averaged 11.4 yards per carry as Cheyenne’s star running back.

DB John Therrell
Size: 6-1, 170
Last school: Bishop Gorman HS
Hometown: Las Vegas
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: A likely redshirt, but the Rebels need help at safety.
Interesting tidbit: The son of UNLV defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell, led the state with eight interceptions.

LB Reggie Umuolo
Size: 5-10, 205
Last school: Centennial HS (Peoria, Ariz.)
Hometown: Phoenix
Scout.com: Two stars; nation’s No. 105 weak-side linebacker
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Speed could get him on the field, but could redshirt.
Interesting tidbit: Helped lead Centennial to a 41-1 record and three state championships.

OL Robert Waterman
Size: 6-2, 275
Last school: West Ranch HS (Stevenson Ranch, Calif.)
Hometown: Castaic, Calif.
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: A probable grayshirt, but could eventually develop into a quality player.
Interesting tidbit: Made more than 100 pancake blocks in final two high school seasons.

CB Warren Zeigler
Size: 6-0, 170
Last school: College of San Mateo (Calif.)
Hometown: San Leandro, Calif.
Scout.com: Two stars
Rivals.com: Two stars
Chances of playing next season: Another midyear JC transfer who is expected to be on the field.
Interesting tidbit: Helped lead San Leandro High School to a sectional championship in 2006.

OL Doug Zismann
Size: 6-3, 285
Last school: Shadow Mountain HS
Hometown: Phoenix
Scout.com: Two stars; nation’s No. 29 center
Rivals.com: Three stars; nation’s No. 18 center; Arizona’s No. 23 player
Chances of playing next season: The opportunity is there to make the rotation immediately.
Interesting tidbit: Also an outstanding wrestler.