Another QB goes to safety

ELY — UNLV assistant Vic Shealy doesn’t need to jump on airplanes to find safeties.

All he has to do is walk over to the Rebels’ backfield and look for someone wearing a green non-contact jersey.

For the second time since camp opened last Monday, the Rebels have moved a quarterback to safety. Last week it was sophomore Travis Dixon. On Sunday it was incoming freshman Chris Jones, a Shadow Ridge product.

This time it was the player’s idea. Jones saw himself buried on the quarterback depth chart, staring at a probable redshirt season, so he approached head coach Mike Sanford to find a way onto the field in 2008.

It doesn’t hurt that Jones (6 feet 2 inches, 175 pounds) was an outstanding linebacker at Shadow Ridge, where he made 63 tackles, including three sacks, last season.

"He’s a great-looking player to play a lot of different positions, to be a quarterback, to be a receiver, but he’s got a safety’s body," Sanford said.

No one ruled out a return to quarterback, but Jones said his focus is on his new position.

• MORE ROSTER MOVES — Junior Luke Plante has switched from defensive end to tight end, and the Rebels also added incoming freshman cornerback Deante Purvis (5-11, 185).

"In our opinion, (Purvis is) a Pac-10-level recruit who was a non-qualifier," Sanford said. "I think people got off of him because of that, and (cornerbacks coach Mike) Bradeson stayed on him."

Also, incoming freshman defensive lineman Litani MoiMoi (6-2, 270) practiced for the first time. He had planned to grayshirt and enroll full time in January, but now will be available immediately.

• INJURY REPORT — Senior tailback David Peeples (foot) was out of the walking boot, but the Cheyenne High graduate will not be rushed back.

Sophomore defensive end Preston Brooks bruised his ribs, but the severity was unknown.

• MEN IN BLACK — Junior wide receiver Ryan Wolfe and senior cornerback Geoffery Howard wore black jerseys, signifying they were the outstanding practice members for the first week of camp. Coaches plan to return to giving a black jersey daily.