UNLV football still netting solid recruits

Even as another disappointing football season ends, UNLV is working on another solid recruiting class that appears to be holding strong.

These recruits, at least, are buying into UNLV's message.

"I think when they get around our players and talk to them and see where this thing is going, they see a bright future ahead, and they see a situation they want to be a part of," coach Mike Sanford said.

UNLV (2-9, 1-6 Mountain West Conference), which finishes its season with a 2:30 p.m. PST kickoff Saturday at New Mexico (7-4, 4-3), has lined up eight oral commitments. They are nonbinding, and Sanford is not allowed under NCAA rules to comment about specific prospects until he receives their letters of intent in early February.

Seven of the eight are at least two-star recruits, according to Scout.com. The gem is three-star prospect David Blair (6 feet 1 inch, 219 pounds) of McClintock High School in Tempe, Ariz. Scout rates Blair, who chose the Rebels over San Diego State, the nation's No. 33 middle linebacker.

His chances of playing immediately are good with the departure of defensive leader Beau Bell.

"That's kind of how the situation was with San Diego State," Blair said. "They were telling me I could probably play my first year. I went (to UNLV) and there was a lot of pride, and they showed a lot of interest in me. From watching Bell play and seeing how their defense flows back to him and that responsibility, I liked that."

Western High School wide receiver Phillip Payne (6-4, 180), a two-star recruit, is the one local commitment.

The commitment list does not include defensive back Lamont Long (5-11, 180), who is expected to enroll in January. He signed in February out of Arizona Western College in Yuma, but went to Los Angeles Harbor College to finish his academic work.

Also not included is two-star wide receiver Courtney Osborne (6-2, 170) of South Garland (Texas) High. He said Wednesday he and his twin brother, Steven, would "be a package deal." Steven Osborne (6-4, 191) is a two-star wide receiver who has been offered scholarships by UNLV, Utah, Southern Methodist and Louisiana-Monroe.

"I really like UNLV a lot," Courtney Osborne said.

Being aggressive early is new for UNLV, which likes going after players who are final recruiting cuts from Pac-10 Conference schools. Sanford said getting in late hurt the Rebels with some players.

"There's a fine line there, too," Sanford said. "I think sometimes if you are too early on too many guys without having a chance to evaluate them in their senior year a little bit, you can end up taking some guys that aren't up to your standard. But I do think that -- and I can't comment on who they are -- but everyone we have offered we feel is definitely up to the standard we have to have to win a championship."

Sanford and his staff, now assembling their fourth class, have been good finishers, receiving late pick-ups from notable players such as linebacker Starr Fuimaono last year and safety/linebacker Shane Horton this year.

Now UNLV is in position, because of the many early commitments, to be even more choosy about filling out this class.

"We can not only be more picky, but it forces more decisions because we have less scholarships to work with," Sanford said.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.