UNLV camp notes — Aug. 17 | UNLV

Williams gladly returns as cornerbacks coach

J.D. Williams had dropped the scoring average against UNLV's defense by nearly eight points per game when he was defensive coordinator for the 2012 season.

It was his one season in that position. —

Then-coach Bobby Hauck fired Williams, replacing him with Tim Hauck, the coach's brother. When Bobby Hauck resigned last November and Tony Sanchez was hired shortly afterward, he knew where he wanted to turn.

Sanchez brought Williams back to UNLV, naming him cornerbacks coach.

"He did a great job," Sanchez said. "He's a great recruiter, very well respected. I thought it was unfortunate when he had to leave last time, and when I got the job, he was one of the first guys I thought of."

Williams, who served the past two season as defensive backs and special teams coach at Georgia State, said he was happy to return.

He was at UNLV from 2010 to 2012, spending his first two seasons as the assistant head coach, pass defense coordinator and defensive backs coach.

Then came his elevation to defensive coordinator for 2012, when the Rebels' defensive scoring average dropped from 40.4 points per game to 32.6.

"I was surprised (at being let go), but it's part of the game," Williams said. "It's going to happen eventually. It just happened to be my time."

NOTABLE

Sanchez reviewed video of Saturday's scrimmage at Nellis Air Force Base, and he wasn't particularly pleased. "We've got to get better," he said. "At the end of the day, we needed a little more effort. We've got to run to the ball better on defense. Offensively, we've got to finish plays. That was the biggest thing, a fanatical effort and finish. You saw a little of it at the beginning. We lost a little bit of it. I understand you're going to have some ebb and flow to camp, but we've got to have a better consistent effort on a daily basis." ... UNLV practiced without pads Sunday morning at Rebel Park and in half pads that night at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Rebels take today off, then return Tuesday morning to continue what has been a physical camp. "I don't want to say we're coming down the hill, but I think we're leveling off on top of it right now," Sanchez said. The Rebels open their season Sept. 5 at Northern Illinois. ... Senior safety Kenny Keys (right shoulder) returned to practice after sitting out the scrimmage.

POSITION SPOTLIGHT

Running backs/tight ends

Freshmen Lexington Thomas and Xzaviar Campbell have had an impressive camp, as has Keith Whitely, who started four games last season and rushed for 504 yards. Fullbacks David Greene and George Naufahu also are capable of playing tailback. Jake Phillips has started 24 career games at tight end.

Tailbacks

Keith Whitely Jr. 5-9 195

Lexington Thomas Fr. 5-9 165

Xzaviar Campbell Fr. 5-11 220

Fullbacks

David Greene Jr. 6-0 210

George Naufahu Sr. 6-0 215

Tight ends

Jake Phillips Sr. 6-6 250

Andrew Price Jr. 6-6 255

Antonio Zepeda So. 6-6 265

SITTING OUT