Some questions answered at camp, others continue to linger for Rebels

ELY -- The Review-Journal posed five key questions regarding UNLV's football team entering training camp.

The answers are beginning to come, but not all will be known for sure when the Rebels open Sept. 1 at Wisconsin.

1. How serious is senior wide receiver Phillip Payne's injury?

Serious enough to have kept him out the first 12 days of training camp, but Payne returned Sunday from a broken right foot. He shows no signs of being inhibited, and should Payne not suffer any setbacks by next week, he will start at Wisconsin.

The Rebels, though, will rely on more than just Payne. Senior Michael Johnson is proven, and sophomore Marcus Sullivan has had an outstanding camp.

UNLV, in fact, should have one of the most talented and deepest wide receiver units in the Mountain West Conference.

2. Who will become the starting quarterback?

Sophomore Caleb Herring, as expected, beat out junior Sean Reilly. Coach Bobby Hauck indicated in July that Herring was in the lead, and the QB kept a tight hold on the position in camp.

"It feels really good to earn the spot," Herring said. "It's been a goal from day one."

Herring showed potential in eight games as a backup last season. Now he must show he can deliver as the starter.

How Herring reacts to taking the first snap at Wisconsin could be telling.

3. Will four freshmen really start on the offensive line?

No, but at least four will play. Left tackle Cameron Jefferson and center Robert Waterman are starters, and left tackle Brett Boyko and right guard Brian Roth are second-stringers.

Alex Novosel probably will redshirt, but he could be pressed into action if someone gets injured.

4. Which newcomers will have the biggest impacts?

At least five junior college transfers will play -- defensive lineman Alvin Amilcar, linebackers Princeton Jackson and John Lotulelei, cornerback Ken Spigner and punter Chase Lansford.

All have shown the ability to be standout players.

Plus, don't be surprised if Reilly receives time at quarterback, Dre Crawford and Corbin Brown at safety, Eric Johnson at wide receiver and Trent Allmang-Wilder at defensive tackle.

Hauck said he thinks at most four incoming freshmen will play, but the coaches haven't settled on which ones.

Cornerback Fred Wilson, running back Dionza Bradford and wide receiver Devante Davis are the first-year players most likely to play.

5. Will the defense improve?

That won't be known probably until well into the season, but Hauck and defensive coordinator Kraig Paulson said they have seen progress this camp.

"We're understanding better," Hauck said. "We're playing hard. All those things that go into playing good defense."

This is a defense that needs hope. The Rebels have given up more than 30 points per game for three consecutive seasons and six of the past seven, and they made only 12 sacks last season.

Questions remain regarding the defensive front, which must put the heat on opposing quarterbacks and take pressure off UNLV's talented secondary.

New players such as Jackson and Lotulelei are aggressive and perhaps difference-making defenders, and there are signs the line can go two-deep all the way across.

"I think we've got more numbers," Paulson said. "The defensive line is a spot where you absolutely have to have numbers. Frankly, they have to give more effort than anyone else on the field. So I think what you're seeing is guys fresher as we get more production out of them."

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