Big things expected from Lotulelei and deeper linebacker corps

By Taylor Bern

Friday, Aug. 12, 2016 | 2 a.m.

They both play linebacker, wear the same number and their builds are nearly identical, so it’s not hard to compare UNLV senior Tau Lotulelei to former Rebel and older brother John. Especially since the comparisons are usually flattering.

“I’m just trying to follow in my brother’s footsteps,” Lotulelei said.

While John fights for a roster spot with the Oakland Raiders — he has eight career NFL tackles over three seasons after leading UNLV with 120 tackles in 2012 — Tau is preparing for the season as a leader in a position group that looks a lot different from last year. There’s experience at the top, with Lotulelei, leading tackler Ryan McAleenan and Matt Lea all returning, but additions or improvements to the backups mean a lighter, and potentially more productive, load for everyone.

“We were really worn down,” McAleenan said of last season, when many guys had to play 90 or more snaps. “… Adding more depth gives you more opportunities to use their specialties as well.”

Sophomore Bailey Laolagi is expected to take on a bigger role, and coach Tony Sanchez is looking for big things from freshman Gabe McCoy after McCoy redshirted last season. Then there’s a pair of transfers in junior Brian Keyes (“He’s a physical son of a gun in the middle,” Sanchez said) and senior LaKeith Walls (“He’s just a big, long, explosive athlete,” Sanchez said) who will push the starters in ways they weren’t last season.

There was a noticeable drop-off when the second-team defense would come in, so much so that Sanchez often opted to keep many of the starters on the field. Tired reps from them were better than the alternative, and now that’s a problem the Rebels feel like is behind them.

“We have different bodies with different skill sets that can come in and make us more explosive in situations,” Sanchez said.

In addition to defense, the depth will show up a lot in special teams, where second- and third-stringers from positions like linebacker will be an upgrade over some of last year’s options. It should help make the overall team better, but the Rebels will still need great production from the first teamers to make it really matter.

That’s where they’re counting on guys like Lotulelei, who defensive coordinator Kent Bear has said is one of the most talented guys he’s ever coached in a career that has included stops with 10 different Division I programs. Sanchez thinks Lotulelei could contend for the conference defensive player of the year award, and if he works on being a consistent leader his career could go well beyond that, too.

“Every game, every practice, being there and being ready to go,” Sanchez said. “If he learns that, he might play this game for a lot longer after he’s done here at UNLV.”

Those things are on Lotulelei’s mind — “I want to show out this year,” he said — but he figures they will be the result of creating a strong connection with this group. Injuries slowed Lotulelei last season but this year he’s aiming to top the 100 tackles he recorded as a sophomore. And if that happens, perhaps he could join John at NFL training camp.

Quarterback battle

After starting camp by saying that he hoped to name a starter in a few days, Sanchez is preparing for a more long-term decision-making process between juniors Kurt Palandech and Johnny Stanton at quarterback.

“We’re where we were coming into camp, none of them have really pulled away,” Sanchez said. “Kurt’s doing probably a better job understanding the offense and making decisions, but still throwing the ball behind people and letting things float. Then you’ve got Johnny, he’s got a little bit better arm strength but not kind of there on the decision-making. We’ve got to see those things come together.”

True freshman Armani Rogers, who’s listed at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, has impressed in camp but it’s still basically a two-man race.

The main thing that Sanchez is looking for isn’t big plays, but rather someone who can take care of the ball. UNLV was decent overall last year in that category, finishing plus-four in turnover margin, and Sanchez believes small improvements there could lead to big results.

“We don’t need a guy to come out and win the game for us,” Sanchez said, “we need a guy to go out there and not lose the game for us.”

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.