Bell among Rebels’ all-time standouts

None might be better than linebacker Beau Bell, though. He might be the Rebels’ greatest defensive player since UNLV started fielding a team in 1968, Bradeson said.

"If he were to continue to finish out his senior year this way, you could arguably say that," Bradeson said. "The way he’s played his senior year has been tremendous."

Rebels fans will get to see Bell play his final game Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium when San Diego State visits at 8 p.m.

Bell appears well on his way to gaining Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.

He ranks first in the league in tackles with 94 and forced fumbles with four and is tied for sixth in interceptions with three. He is the first UNLV player to be named conference player of the week three times in a season.

But it goes beyond this season. Bell is six tackles from tying Randy Black for second on the school’s career list, though currently at 288, he won’t catch Seward’s record of 433.

If Bell becomes Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, he would join fellow Rebels Thomas (2001) and Brimmer (2002). Brimmer also won the media version of the award in 2003.

Like Bell, Thomas and Brimmer were terrific playmakers. Thomas owns the UNLV record with six career defensive touchdowns, and Brimmer made 17 tackles for loss in 2002 and had six interceptions the following season.

Seward was more of a tackling machine than playmaker. That role went to teammate Claridge, who holds the school career record with 10 forced fumbles and made 38 tackles for loss.

Unlike those players, Bell could become the first Rebel to be chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft. His size — 6 feet 3 inches tall and 245 pounds — along with his quickness and athleticism put him atop NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt’s list of senior inside linebackers before the season.

"In the back of my mind, I think about the NFL," Bell said. "It’s three games away, and then I’ll be thinking about it a lot. Right now, I’m just thinking about winning these three games.

"I just want to keep playing football. That’s all I want to do. I don’t know anything else but football."

UNLV coach Mike Sanford said he has heard Bell, who will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26, will go anywhere from the first to the third round.

Miami Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller was on campus this week, raising speculation that Bell’s stock is rising.

"I think when you’re getting general managers to come this time of year, usually that means something," Sanford said.

The success of Cleveland Browns rookie cornerback Eric Wright, a one-year player for the Rebels after transferring from Southern California, should help. Wright, taken in the second round this year, has started every game and leads the Browns in tackles with 56.

Wright was selected high in the draft despite questions about his character off the field as well as his lack of experience and injury problems on it. Bell doesn’t figure to face as much scrutiny.

"People asked us questions about Eric Wright, and we were very honest with them," Sanford said. "They can see the proof is in the pudding."

Bell showed tremendous promise since playing in every game as a freshman in 2004. Injuries dogged him the past two years, but he still made a combined 168 tackles, including 161/2 for loss and 71/2 sacks.

A high-ankle sprain ended Bell’s season seven games into last year when it looked as if he had a shot at conference Defensive Player of the Year.

During the offseason, he took steps to become more athletic and guard against injuries. He dropped 10 pounds and lowered his body fat from 18 percent to 14 percent by working out twice daily with tailback Frank Summers. Bell also ate chicken breast and greens five times a day.

He took a yoga class this summer, which he said took his flexibility from a three to an eight on a scale of one to 10.

"I never thought it’d help me that much," Bell said.

He has remained healthy this season while once again producing stellar numbers.

"There has been a recent history here of seniors at UNLV not playing well," Sanford said. "We challenged Beau, and one of our big things was to motivate him and prepare him to have a great senior year.

"I think he bought into everything that we are trying to do here and bought into the leadership part of it."

* NOTE — Junior wide receiver Casey Flair, a psychology major, was named to the district first-team all-academic squad. Senior guard Mike McKiski and junior defensive tackle Jacob Hales made the second team.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.