Graduate transfer Rayshad Jackson looks to make impact at UNLV

Rayshad Jackson sat in team meetings, watched video and roamed the Rebel Park practice fields in shorts while his new UNLV teammates went through drills.

He had to wait until this week to truly join them.

Jackson, a linebacker, is a graduate transfer from Florida, and he couldn’t practice until his final grades posted and he was cleared by UNLV’s admissions office. The latter occurred Friday afternoon, but he then had to go through an NCAA-mandated five-day acclimation period before taking part in padded practices.

Just being on the field has helped as the Rebels prepare for the Aug. 31 season opener against Southern Utah at Sam Boyd Stadium.

“It feels great to be back,” Jackson said. “It was a long process of going through the administrative staff and the academics.”

Jackson has been working at first- and second-team weak side linebacker. Redshirt freshman Malakai Salu has been No. 1 most of preseason.

“We saw today,” coach Tony Sanchez said after Tuesday’s practice at Rebel Park. “(Jackson’s) a physical son of a gun.”

Jackson, who grew up in Miami, is pursuing a master’s degree in urban leadership.

“I want to go back to the community to help with the younger generation because that’s where it starts,” he said. “Where I’m from, there’s heavy gun violence all around that place. I’ve seen kids that I knew were really good at football or were educated, and they went down the wrong path.”

Coach in mourning

Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson’s wife, Wendy, died late Monday after a two-year fight with breast cancer. She was 49.

FINAL WENDY UPDATE 8/20#NotFightingAlone there’s a celebration in heaven today cause Wendy is Home pic.twitter.com/OYwh0fQLpU

— Blake Anderson (@CHbanderson) August 20, 2019

UNLV hosts Arkansas State on Sept. 7, and Sanchez said he didn’t know if the school would do anything special for Anderson.

“Blake’s a great guy,” Sanchez said. “He’s a gem. I can’t even imagine what he’s been through. Thoughts and prayers go out to him. The biggest thing with things like that is being respectful. I don’t know that we need to do anything other than make sure we’re praying for him and, when it’s appropriate, reach out to him.

“He’s a great football coach. He’s done a really good job his entire career. Arkansas State is a really quality program, and it’s not just his coaching ability, it’s his character that’s helped lead that program.”

Injury sidelines Tejchman

Rebels junior safety Drew Tejchman is being held out of practices with a hamstring injury. Sanchez said he expected Tejchman back this week.

“We’ve got to make sure he’s 100 percent,” Sanchez said. “There’s no reason to push him through right now.”

Getting time on Facebook

UNLV’s Nov. 16 home game against Hawaii will be streamed on Facebook. The rivalry game, known as the Ninth Island Showdown, is at 1 p.m.

More Rebels: Follow at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJ_Sports on Twitter.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.