Hauck sees faster pace for Rebels this spring
UNLV football coach Bobby Hauck is turning up the pressure entering his second year of spring practices.
Now that most of his players have had a year in the system, Hauck expects them to go full speed from the beginning and compete fiercely at each position.
"The first group will vary daily," Hauck said of the lineup. "Maybe even from the previous (practice)."
UNLV opens spring drills at 3:45 p.m. today at Rebel Park, and all 15 sessions are open to the public. Cell phones and similar devices are now banned.
The camp-concluding scrimmage will be at 10 a.m. April 2 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
These sessions will be unlike last spring, which was more of a feeling-out process between the new coaching staff and the players.
This also is an important spring for a program hungry to reverse course. The Rebels went 2-11 against a difficult schedule last season.
An influx of new talent could have a lot to say about how the spring plays out. Running back Dionza Bradford, offensive lineman Alex Novosel and defensive lineman Desmond Tautofi grayshirted last season, and all-purpose back Eric Johnson, quarterback Sean Reilly and defensive lineman Trent Allmang-Wilder are early junior college signees.
The most visible position, quarterback, should feature a battle between Reilly, sophomore Caleb Herring and redshirt freshman Taylor Barnhill.
Though the starter could emerge this spring, Hauck isn’t in a rush to decide.
"I think we have the luxury of utilizing fall camp to make that decision," he said.
Bradford will compete with sophomores Tim Cornett (team-leading 546 yards rushing), Bradley Randle and senior Deante Purvis at running back. Senior C.J. Cox switched to linebacker.
Eric Johnson’s speed is expected to be used at running back and receiver, which could create opportunities for senior wide receivers Phillip Payne and Michael Johnson, who combined for 91 catches for 1,260 yards last season.
Hauck praised Payne’s hard work since his two-game suspension last year for tweets critical of the coaches.
"I’m fired up about Phillip Payne," Hauck said. "He’s a guy who’s matured a bunch, and I’m excited about him."
Some of the more competitive positions will be on the offensive line, where three starters are gone. Not only will Novosel step in, but so will several players who redshirted last season.
"One of the things we didn’t do well enough was make our offensive line competitive enough with the starting spots," Hauck said. "We let the guys settle in."
Allmang-Wilder and Tautofi could provide an immediate impact on the defensive line. Tautofi went to Calvary Chapel High School, but didn’t play his senior season because of Nevada high school transfer rules. He moved from Hawaii, where he was a top prospect.
"I’m kind of anxious to see him," Hauck said. "He’s done a nice job in the weight room. It will take time for him to learn the ropes."
All three starting linebackers are gone, making Cox’s position switch even more important. Sophomore Tani Maka, who played in all 13 games and started one, also will be counted on to step forward.
Senior cornerback Quinton Pointer’s return from a knee injury that cost him virtually all of last season is a major plus for the secondary. Sophomores Sidney Hodge (cornerback) and Eric Tuiloma (safety) became starters late in the season and both loom large in the plans.
Not all will be decided this spring, of course. More new players will arrive in August, including five junior college transfers, and alter the mix.
"Everybody on the team has to compete for a spot on the two-deep and on special teams," Hauck said. "It will be wide open in the fall."
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
