QB no longer, Boyd tackles new challenge

James Boyd was right there, salivating over his chance to take down UNLV quarterback Nick Sherry - or, rather, tap him for the automatic sack.

Boyd had him, too, before Brad Overand impeded his progress with an out-of-nowhere block.

It wasn't the only time in Friday's spring game that Boyd made his presence felt, more than justifying the junior's move from quarterback to defensive end.

Only the timing of the switch was a surprise. Indications were coach Bobby Hauck would wait until after spring practices.

"We've been talking about it all spring, and so we wanted to get a look at him today," Hauck said. "This was our last chance.

"He doesn't know exactly how we play (on defense) or with the tempo we play, but in terms of how he looks in his uniform and how he comes off the ball, I thought was pretty good."

Boyd, from Los Angeles, began his college career at Southern California, where he tried several positions, including quarterback and defensive end, before leaving the program in March 2011. When he transferred, Boyd wanted a chance to play quarterback at UNLV, and Hauck gave him one.

Though the switch to defense seemed almost inevitable, Boyd (6 feet 5 inches, 255 pounds) said he can't complain about the chance he was given.

Hauck approached him after Wednesday's practice about moving. Boyd said he prayed about it that night and felt at peace with the decision the next morning.

"I tried it out, and I had a good time today," Boyd said. "I didn't know any of the plays yet, but it was a good experience."

Boyd exhibited plenty of quickness at left defensive end, and was around the ball enough to show he will be a threat to win the starting job when the Rebels regroup for training camp in August.

Now he has the summer to get to know the defensive playbook and concentrate on a position where Boyd was ranked the nation's No. 19 end by Scout.com in 2009. Scout and Rivals.com rated him as a four-star prospect.

"I have a lot of stuff to work on," Boyd said. "But I also did things right. My focus in the offseason is pad level, footwork and get off (the line).

"They gave me a fair shot (at quarterback). It didn't work out, so I went to a position so I could help the team. I just want to win."

■ NOTES - Junior Tim Cornett rushed for 109 yards on eight carries, including the decisive 17-yard touchdown in the Red team's 23-16 double-overtime victory over the White. He also had a 57-yard touchdown. "It's really confidence for the offensive line," he said. "I feel like I know my talents. I know what I have to work on. I know what I have to improve on." ...

Sherry, a redshirt freshman, and junior Caleb Herring each passed for 50 yards. Sherry was 5 of 7 and Herring 5 of 12. ... Sixteen prospects from the area and California took part in "junior day," including Bishop Gorman High School quarterback Anu Solomon. He is rated by Rivals as the nation's No. 5 dual-threat quarterback. "I'm looking at (UNLV) very seriously," Solomon said. "They're one of my first offers, and I'm interested in them. I'm really looking forward to seeing them in the near future." ... About 2,000 fans attended the game.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.