Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

UNLV

1 Will Chandler

Will Chandler
  • Defensive back
  • Grade: Sophomore
  • Height: 5′11″
  • Weight: 185 lbs
UNLV: Earned honorable mention All-MWC out of the defensive secondary after tying for the league lead in interceptions ... Named 2011 Preseason First Team All-MW by Phil Steele's, Sporting News and Lindy's ... A quick, athletic defender who is part of an emerging group of Rebel cornerbacks.

2010: Played in every game and started 10 ... Tied for the MW lead in interceptions with five and stood among the national FBS leaders with seven total takeaways ... Matched what the entire Rebel defense mustered the previous season as five different players recorded one pick each that fall ... Had all four of his team's takeaways in the first 12 quarters of the season, grabbing interceptions vs. Wisconsin and Idaho and picking up fumbles vs. the Badgers and at Utah ... Turned in a career night in the season opener vs. then-No. 12 Wisconsin. Making only his second career start and first since 2008, he got UNLV on the scoreboard with a 19-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter. Later in the half, Chandler picked up a fumble caused by teammate Deante' Purvis and returned it 82 yards to the Badger 16-yard line. UNLV scored on the very next play to pull to within 17-14 at halftime. The fumble return was the third-longest in UNLV history (100 by Kevin Thomas at Baylor in 1999 and 84 by Amar Brisco at Wyoming in 1997) and Chandler added four total tackles on the night, including one for a loss of two yards ... Chandler's other three picks during the season came vs. Wyoming, UNR and New Mexico ... The total of five interceptions tied for the sixth-most in UNLV single-season history and was the most for the program since All-American Jamaal Brimmer hauled in six in 2003 ... Posted a career-high 37 tackles, including 24 solo stops.

2009: Played in all 12 games as a sophomore, primarily on special teams ... Finished with 12 total tackles.

2008: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by playing in all 12 games, including starting the season-opener vs. Utah State ... Totaled 15 tackles.

2007: Redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2006 graduate of Birmingham HS in Los Angeles ... A PrepStar All-Region honoree ... Lettered three years for the Patriots under coach Ed Croson ... Led squad to an 11-3 record and the West Valley League and City Section championships in 2006 ... Named Co-MVP of the West Valley League ... Also named third team all-state as a senior ... Had 45 receptions for 877 yards and eight scores in 2006 ... Defensively, made 30 total tackles and recorded four interceptions, with two going back for scores ... A dangerous kick returner with a 34.5-yard average, including a 99-yard touchdown ... Also competed in track, running the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and relay events.

PERSONAL: Will Chandler was born on April 12, 1989, in Mission Hills, CA ... The son of Bridget and Willie Chandler Jr. ... Has an older sister, Tenora, and a younger brother, Andrew ... Majoring in criminal justice.

--Courtesy of UNLVRebels.com