Area football talent largely eludes UNLV in ’11 recruiting class

Bobby Hauck signed a record eight players from area high schools in his initial UNLV recruiting class last year, showing how much retaining homegrown talent meant to him.

The Rebels are expected to sign only one area player today during national signing day: Foothill High linebacker Connor Afoa.

That doesn’t mean Hauck’s commitment to local recruiting has diminished.

However, it’s a down year for local recruits, and most of the area prospects whom the Rebels targeted chose to go elsewhere.

UNLV was particularly interested in Faith Lutheran linebacker Don Pearson (6 feet 2 inches, 205 pounds) and Palo Verde running back Brandon Wright (5-11, 195). Pearson committed to Navy and Wright to San Diego State.

Pearson, a Rivals.com three-star recruit and Scout.com two-star prospect, said his decision came down to his wanting to play elsewhere and for a more renowned academic institution.

One source close to his recruitment said Pearson’s parents convinced him not to choose the Rebels. Pearson acknowledged, “My parents felt strongly that the academics weren’t up to standard.”

Wright, rated a three-star recruit by both major recruiting services, lived in Torrance, Calif., until the sixth grade and said he wanted to return to California.

His choice of San Diego State, Wright said, isn’t a reflection on UNLV’s recruiting efforts.

“They wanted local guys to stay here,” Wright said. “Coach Hauck came in, and they recruited me hard.”

When Hauck announces his class at 3:30 p.m. today, only Afoa — who orally committed Monday — is expected to represent Las Vegas on the list. NCAA rules prohibit Hauck from commenting on specific recruits until they sign.

Both Rivals and Scout rated Afoa (6-1, 205) a two-star recruit after he averaged 11.1 yards per carry with eight touchdowns in seven games and had two sacks and an interception on defense.

Afoa missed much of last season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The injury probably affected recruiting interest in him. Utah State offered a scholarship, then withdrew it. UNLV made an offer, and Afoa quickly accepted.

“They’re really turning it around coaching-wise,” Afoa said. “Me and my mom were very pleased with the way they approached us and talked to us the whole time.”

Whether locals form a significant portion of this class is irrelevant to many UNLV fans. They simply want players good enough to help turn around a program that has not had a winning record since 2000.

In the age of the Internet, there are few secrets when it comes to recruiting, but the Rebels have apparently managed to keep some. They are expected to disclose some names today that haven’t been mentioned publicly.

But most of their signees are known, such as the recent commitment by tight end Nick Gstrein (6-4, 260) of Woodbridge High in Irvine, Calif. He caught 50 passes for 618 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

Rivals rates UNLV’s class sixth in what will be an eight-team Mountain West Conference next season, though that ranking could change when the entire class is unveiled. The Rebels are seventh, according to Scout, but third in average rating.

Review-Journal reporter Tristan Aird contributed to this report. Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.