UNLV football recruiting class low in numbers, high in grades

UNLV manager Marcus Arroyo announced a comparatively tiny recruiting people Wednesday, and that was by design.

The accrued fig of players successful the NCAA Transfer Portal, the instauration of the “super senior” and extended eligibility due to the fact that of the COVID-19 pandemic caused Arroyo to amended equilibrium the December and February signing days alternatively than stress the aboriginal period.

UNLV signed 10 players, with fractional expected to enroll successful January, with 10 to 15 much expected to beryllium announced successful February.

“This is simply a full caller satellite we’re surviving in,” Arroyo said. “It’s exciting. It’s not the aged satellite of assemblage shot and recruiting arsenic galore of america grew up with. You’ve got to beryllium adaptable. You’ve got to adjust. You’ve got to beryllium acceptable for anything.”

247Sports ranked UNLV seventh successful the Mountain West successful full playing standing points the tract assigns, but is No. 1 successful mean points designated per player.

Among the much notable signings:

— Quarterback Jayden Maiava, Liberty High School, 6 feet 4 inches and 205 pounds. He passed for 2,027 yards and 24 touchdowns this past season. UNLV had the 2 much caller Mountain West freshmen of the year, and incoming freshman Cameron Friel became the starting backmost astatine midseason. Could Maiava marque a akin impact?

“He has that talent, there’s nary uncertainty astir it,” Arroyo said. “He’s arsenic talented arsenic I’ve seen successful a portion with his arm. We’ll find retired what he’s similar successful the schoolroom erstwhile we truly get down and grind.”

— Wide receiver Randy Masters, Yates High successful Houston, 6-1, 175. He chose the Rebels implicit astatine slightest 16 different schools, including Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Louisiana State and Oregon. ESPN ranks him the nation’s No. 82 wide receiver.

— Linebacker Fred Thompkins, City College of San Francisco, 6-0, 235. He is ranked by 247Sports arsenic the country’s 35th champion inferior assemblage prospect, No. 5 linebacker nationally and 2nd champion from California. Thompkins picked the Rebels implicit Central Florida, Liberty, Memphis and Washington State.

This was the archetypal recruiting people that Arroyo, who has completed 2 seasons, could bring onto field and amusement the Fertitta Football Complex arsenic good arsenic Allegiant Stadium.

Contact newsman Mark Anderson astatine manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 connected Twitter.