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March 28, 2024

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Rebels football:

Del Sol High graduate’s success with UNLV football being rewarded

Alex Klorman, a senior defensive end, will wear the program’s Battle Born Jersey No. 36

Alex Klorman

Courtesy UNLV Sports Information

UNLV senior defensive lineman Alex Klorman practices Wednesday during the Rebels’ spring drills at Rebel Park. Klorman, a Del Sol High graduate, will wear the Battle Born Jersey No. 36 in the fall. It’s a honor reserved for one Nevadan in the program each year.

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Alex Klorman’s journey of not being recruited during his senior year of high school to developing into a starter on the UNLV defensive line is again being rewarded.

Klorman, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound senior, will wear the program’s Battle Born Jersey No. 36 this fall, being selected by Rebels coach Bobby Hauck for the highest honor a local player in the program can receive.

Klorman walked on at UNLV after graduating from Del Sol High in 2009. He eventually worked his way into the lineup and has 22 career starts, including the past 13 games. Last season, he posted a career-high 34 tackles, including four for a loss, and two sacks. He also earned a scholarship a few years ago.

Not bad for someone nobody wanted.

“We want to build traditions here, and if that means working as hard and giving as much effort as Alex Klorman does every day, then we’re moving in the right direction,” Hauck said in a statement. “Certainly, jersey 36 is in good hands.”

Hauck, who often says he wants to win with Nevada players and has signed more locals than any other UNLV coach, created the award when he took over the program in 2010.

The honor doesn’t necessarily have to go to the most accomplished local on the roster. Rather, it’s designed for someone who always puts the team first and is constantly working to become a better player.

“It’s an honor to wear it and represent my hometown and state,” Klorman, who previously wore No. 95, said in a statement. “I’ve already got some calls and messages from friends and members of my family to congratulate me. Some great players have worn this before me and I will just focus on getting better on and off the field in my final year to honor the tradition.”

One of the first phone calls Klorman made was to his high school coach at Del Sol, Preston Goroff. It was Goroff who told every coach who stopped by his school on the recruiting trail that Klorman was the real deal and would make a great college player.

Klorman was one of the best players in Del Sol history, earning all-state honors as a senior after starting on both sides of the line. He was a three-year varsity performer, earning first-team All-Sunrise Region honors on both sides of the ball as a senior.

He still went under-recruited, being ranked as the nation’s No. 223 defensive lineman prospect by one recruiting website.

He lived at home during his first year in the program and had to pay for school with grant money. Now, he’s doing everything virtually everyone thought he couldn’t by shining with hometown UNLV.

Last year, defensive back Sidney Hodge of Palo Verde wore No. 36. Ronnie Paulo (Western) and Nate Carter (Las Vegas High) were honored in previous seasons.

Here’s the history behind the award courtesy of UNLV: “Nevada became the 36th state to enter the union, and the state’s nickname, which appears on the flag, is 'Battle Born,' reflecting the state’s entry on the Union side during the American Civil War. Rebel Football Jersey No. 36 — complete with a patch on the back of the state flag — is worn annually by a Nevadan who best exemplifies the Battle Born spirit of his state and the toughness and pride of Rebel Football.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.

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