Rebels welcome recruits for visit

UNLV won't have to do as much selling this weekend when it brings in nine football recruits for visits. Four of them have committed to the Rebels.

But UNLV is welcoming two undecided prospects who are rated three-star safeties by Scout.com.

C.J. Cox (5 feet 11 inches, 190 pounds) of North Garland (Texas) High School, is the nation's No. 46-rated safety, but the Rebels are recruiting him at tailback. Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State and Fresno State also have offered Cox scholarships.

Shiloah Te'o (5-11, 190) of Kahuku (Hawaii) High is ranked No. 54 at safety. Brigham Young, Hawaii and Utah have offered him scholarships.

The four visiting players who have committed are wide receiver Gordy Cooper (6-6, 205) of San Jacinto (Calif.) High; offensive lineman Jason Heath (6-4, 265) of Del Oro High in Loomis, Calif.; wide receiver Phillip Payne (6-4, 180) of Western High; and athlete Robert Rowe (6-2, 173) of Marana High in Tucson, Ariz.

All are two-star prospects, as are the other three who are visiting.

Tight end Austin Briehl (6-5, 220) of Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale, Ariz., received offers from Boise State, Air Force and Army.

Offensive lineman Jason Koontz (6-3, 285) of Santiago High in Corona, Calif., has offers from Colorado State and Army.

Tight end Anthony Siilata (6-2, 285) of Kahuku High has offers from BYU and Oregon State.

NCAA rules prohibit UNLV coach Mike Sanford from commenting on specific recruits until they sign.

The nine high school players underscore his pledge to move away from junior college recruits. He also will not sign any JC players this month.

"It is (tempting), but the problem with the type of guys you get in the mid-year is the success rate isn't great on them," Sanford said.