Farrell Hester II makes immediate impact at UNLV

Linebacker Farrell Hester II approached UNLV’s training camp with the goal of playing right away, even if the odds don’t always favor an incoming freshman.

And they don’t favor an incoming freshman third on the depth chart.

“I had that mentality (of playing) coming into camp period,” Hester said. “I didn’t care who was in front of me, how old they were, what grade they’re in. I just knew I came here to compete.”

He not only is playing but has started the past two games for the Rebels, who play No. 19 San Diego State at 7:45 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez said Hester, whom he also coached at Bishop Gorman High School, is equally sharing middle linebacker with senior Brian Keyes.

“I think that gives us our best opportunity,” Sanchez said. “It keeps Brian fresh, and Farrell’s a young guy with a ton of talent. The more opportunities he gets, the better he’s getting. You see it on film every week. It also allows him to learn a little bit. It doesn’t put as much on his plate.”

Sanchez said in preseason he thought he got a steal with Hester. Not being highly recruited has motivated Hester, who has 13 tackles.

“I’m glad Sanchez recruited me so I can make a name for myself and my city,” Hester said.

From walk-on to starter

Junior cornerback Jocquez Kalili isn’t listed in the media guide, but he worked his way into the starting lineup for Saturday’s 41-13 victory over San Jose State.

“He’s done a really good job of working hard every day and becoming more physical and learning our system,” Sanchez said. “Obviously, through the last couple of games and through practices and through evaluation, we felt it was time to give him an opportunity. The one thing you’ll see is we play multiple guys back there, so he may get the start, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to be in there the entire game.”

Kalili is a walk-on who transferred from Mesa (Arizona) Community College. He played high school ball at Desert Oasis.

At 5 feet 11 inches and 185 pounds, Kalili provides the Rebels with a physical presence. He was a little too physical against the Spartans and was ejected for targeting.

“We’re really disappointed in it,” Sanchez said. “He didn’t know where he was, and I think it was pretty evident by the way he reacted to it when you watch the end zone copy and the sideline copy. There wasn’t an intent to try and go out there and knock somebody out who was out of bounds. However, you have to know where you’re at are on the field.

“We’re fortunate it was in the first half, so we have him for this week right away, but you never want to get anybody hurt in a situation like that.”

Thoughts from up north

Sunday’s mass shooting on the Strip that claimed 58 lives has created unity between fierce rivals UNLV and UNR.

For the remainder of the season, Wolf Pack players will wear a decal on their helmets of a silver and blue ribbon with “Las Vegas” and “10/1/17.”

“As Nevadan’s our prayers are w/ those affected,” UNR coach Jay Norvell tweeted.

Recruiting news

Running back Chad Magyar (6-1, 197) has committed to the Rebels, he announced on Twitter. He attends Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and, according to 247Sports, also received a scholarship offer from Brigham Young.

Also, quarterback Stacy Conner (6-5, 175) of Wylie (Texas) High will make his official visit to UNLV this weekend. He already has committed to the Rebels.

More Rebels: Follow all of our UNLV coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJRebels on Twitter.

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