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Basically ... For several reasons, UNLV's offense has had a hard time playing up to its athleticism and talent level. The parts are there for a good season led by veteran QB Kurt Nantkes throwing to all-star candidate WR Earvin Johnson. The running backs are deep and talented working behind a strong, experienced line.
Star of the offense: Senior WR Earvin Johnson
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior QB Kurt Nantkes
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore OT Marco Guerra
Best pro prospect: Johnson
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Johnson, 2) Guerra, 3) TE Greg Estandia
Strength of the offense: Running back and offensive line depth
Weakness of the offense: Wide receiver depth
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Kurt Nantkes, Sr. - Nantkes started the 2003 season off like a house of fire with a 300-yard, three touchdown day against a good Toledo team, but then saw his production fall away finishing
with 1,883 yards and 12 touchdown passes with ten interceptions. He's a mature player with a nice arm and a good command of the offense, but things don't seem to click when he's under center.
Why? Nagging injuries have been a problem as a groin/strained pubic bone limited him last year. He's expected to be 100% again, but he's not cemented as the starter.
Top Backups
- Shane Steichen, Soph. - He might be rail thin, but he's tremendously accurate making great strides this spring. Nantkes is the starter, but Steichen will come in without hesitation if there's
any lack of production. He got enough reps this spring to be counted on as the starter, or at least make for an interesting quarterback derby.
- Scott Turner, Jr. - Turner has a little bit of experience throwing for 215 yards as an emergency backup. The son of NFL coach Norv and nephew of Illinois head coach Ron will have to fight to
hang on to the job with several more talented prospects behind him.
The Skinny: New quarterback coach Brad Otton should make a difference with the best overall crop of quarterbacks UNLV has ever had under John Robinson. While there's depth and good
prospects, there isn't a reliable starter to get excited about. Freshman Marcus Johnson and sophomore Tyler Ariciaga might be better than the listed players on the depth chart, but Nantkes
deserves a shot to show what he can do when he's healthy.
Player to keep an eye on: Shane Steichen ... Quarterback Rating: 5
Running Backs
Projected Starters
- Dominique Dorsey, Sr. - Dorsey will go from being a change of pace speed back to more of a work horse after finishing second on the team with 626 yards and a touchdown. His yard-per-carry
average dropped last year, but he proved to be dangerous when he got on a roll all but unstoppable during stretches at times. At only 5-7 and 165 pounds (and that's generous), he's not a 250
carry back.
- Fullback Chad Henley, Jr. - The 250-pound JUCO transfer is a pure blocker blasting open holes since he first arrived on the practice field. He has the look of one of the Mountain West's best
fullbacks.
Top Backups
- Dyante Perkins, Sr. - A great power back, the 235-pound Perkins led the Rebels with seven rushing scores last year and caught 16 passes for 218 yards and two scores. While primarily used only
in short yardage situations, he's going to get more work as the year goes on.
- Alvin Marshall, Jr. - The JUCO transfer has the best mix of speed and moves on the team, and he'll finally get a chance to show what he can do after missing all of last year with a foot
injury.
- JaJa Riley, Jr. - The 210-pound former Ohio State Buckeye will get plenty of work behind Dorsey. An upright runner with good power, Riley could end up starting by year's end.
- Fullback Mike Frazier, Sr. - Nowhere near the blocker that Henley is, Frazier moves from linebacker to become the backup fullback.
The Skinny: The running game worked well last year rotating the carries, and it'll be a bit of a committee system again with several good, and different, backs. Dominique Dorsey works
better in a complementary role even though he looks better than ever. There are three good power runners to handle more of the workload.
Player to keep an eye on: JaJa Riley ... Running Back Rating: 6.5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Earvin Johnson, Sr. - Johnson has all the skills with size (6-3, 200 pounds), soft hands and excellent speed. Now he needs a quarterback who can consistently get him the ball. Johnson caught
60 passes for 834 yards and four touchdowns, but two of those scores came in one game (the upset win over Wisconsin.) On talent, he's one of the best receivers in the country, and now he should
be able to put up the stats to get the attention he deserves.
- Terry Furlow, Jr. - The former Fresno State quarterback has good size and outstanding quickness. He'll finally get his show what he can do this year, but he'll have plenty of competition to
hold on to the number two receiver job.
- Tight end Greg Estandia, Sr. - By far the best receiving tight end on the team, Estandia was fourth on the Rebels with 20 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns. At 6-8, he poses wicked
matchup problems showing what he could do early on before suffering a turf toe problem.
Top Backups
- Donell Wheaton, Soph. - Untested by still a strong prospect, Wheaton has great overall athleticism and good open field moves. At least he's shown that in practice so far.
- Tremayne Kirkland, Soph. - Not quite as physical as the other Rebel receivers, Kirkland will rely on his speed to try and get into the lineup.
- Michael Freund, Jr. - The fullback will be the backup tight end. Considering Greg Estandia's turf toe problems, Freund could quickly become a factor. He only made one catch last year, but he
made it count taking it fifty yards.
The Skinny:
Earvin Johnson is one of the best receivers in the country, but he needs help. The prospects are there even if the proven production isn't as the other receivers have combined for a grand
total of five career catches. The backups are buying their time until big, strong Marques Johnson and Shelvion Williams get ready to make an impact. Greg Estandia will be a dominant force if he
can stay healthy.
Player to keep an eye on: Greg Estandia ... Receiver Rating: 5.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Marco Guerra, Soph. - While Guerra is the youngest starter, he's the team's best lineman. At 330 pounds with good feet and excellent power as a run blocker, he'll quickly garner
All-Conference honors at left tackle.
- Guard Joe Critchfield, Sr. - The former JUCO All-American is a big, true guard who came in and had a solid season. He'll start on the left side forming a formidable wall along side Marco
Guerra.
- Center Marcus Johnson, Sr. - Johnson has been a career guard with more experience than anyone else on the line. The 300-pound senior moves well, and will move to the middle where he should be
one of the league's best centers.
- Guard Zach Gorham, Jr. - Gorham was a key reserve tackle last year and will move to guard giving the Rebels and athletic 310 pound body on the inside.
- Tackle Tyler Crandal, Sr. - Crandal is a tall lineman who proved to be a solid pass blocker last year, but is the one player on the line who has to worry about his job. Star JUCO recruit
Chris Bowser is more than ready to take over on the right side.
Top Backups
- OT Chris Bowser, Soph. - While not as big as the rest of the Rebel linemen, he has as much talent as anyone and should quickly become a factor at right tackle.
- C Tim Goins, RFr. - While he could still add 20+ pounds to his 6-4, 280-pound frame, Goins is still going to see plenty of playing time backing up Marcus Johnson in the middle.
- OG Brandon Gray, Soph. - Gray bulked up to 320 pounds and will move from tackle to left guard backing up Joe Critchfield.
The Skinny: The line turned into a force by the end of last year becoming a cohesive pass blocking unit while getting a decent push in the running game. Most of the key player return
with as much depth as any line in the league. Marco Guerra is growing into an All-America talent, and Marcus Johnson and Joe Critchfield provide solid leadership and experience to build
around.
Player to keep an eye on: Marco Guerra ... Offensive Line Rating: 6
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