UNLV newcomer used to finding success

At a shade under 5-11 and weighing 207 solid pounds, Bill Cofer doesn't quite measure up size-wise as the prototypical Division I linebacker.

Strong safety, maybe. But Division I linebackers are supposed to stand around 6-foot-3 and weigh around 230 pounds.

But UNLV head coach Jeff Horton says the 1997 Nevada Player of the Year, who led Reno's McQueen High School to a perfect 12-0 mark and the state 4-A title last fall, has the extra intangibles needed to be a successful player for the Rebels one day.

"He's not the biggest kid or the fastest kid," Horton said after watching Cofer and the rest of UNLV's freshmen and junior college recruits finish their first workout Tuesday afternoon at Rebel Park. "But when you watched him on film, he was the kid always making the plays. He's a tough, hard-nosed kid."

Cofer was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter for Ken Dalton's Lancers. He rushed for 901 yards and 18 touchdowns his senior year while also catching 31 passes for 531 yards. But it was on defense, where he finished with 112 tackles and six sacks as a senior, that he caught most college scouts' eyes.

Cofer was especially brilliant in McQueen's 28-21 state title win over Cimarron-Memorial, racking up 15 tackles while also rushing for 80 yards and two touchdowns on offense.

"He has a great attitude and work ethic," Horton said. "And he's used to winning. Hopefully that will rub off around here."

The Lancers compiled an amazing 30-4 record during Cofer's career topped by last year's undefeated season.

"The thing that sticks out most about that season is that we didn't leave any stone unturned," Cofer said. "We went undefeated and beat a very talented Cimarron team in the finals. It was a great year."

Cofer, who is playing outside linebacker for UNLV, was recruited by Oregon, Utah, New Mexico and Nevada but picked UNLV because of Horton.

"I felt Coach Horton was real honest and he didn't come across as someone trying to sell anything," Cofer said. "He seemed like a real person to me. Some coaches would come in really trying to pump you up and everything, but Coach Horton didn't do that. He seemed like someone you could trust."

Cofer said he expects to redshirt this season.

"I need to get bigger and get that college size," he said. "Today's workout really opened my eyes. In high school you're like the big fish in the little pond. Here I was like a minnow with the big salmon. I felt kind of like a kid again. I was huge for high school but here I'm small."

Horton says one of his goals as UNLV coach is to annually sign the state player of the year.

"I think that as long as we are a part of the state system that will be one of our goals," he said. "I think signing players like Bill help our program."

REBEL NOTES:Horton purposely scheduled Tuesday's first workout at 4 p.m., the hottest time of the day. Temperatures were well over 100 degrees for the 90-minute practice. "We've got to break them in the right way," Horton said with a smile. How did the new newcomers handle it? "Like they were thirsty," Horton said. ... Horton believes several freshmen recruits could see action this season. "I think there's a chance two or three of them could play," he said. "Who they are we'll have to wait and see what happens in (fall) practice." ... Two junior college newcomers who Horton believes will play key roles for the Rebels this season are middle linebacker Dusty Pearce (6-3, 245) of Ricks (Idaho) JC, who was born and raised in Germany and has played organized football for just two years, and offensive lineman Glenn Pilarowski (6-5, 295) of Dixie JC, who prepped at Silverado High School. ... All of UNLV's prep recruits have met minimum NCAA eligibility requirements although offensive lineman Tony Terrell (6-3, 280), who took his SAT orally because of a learning disability, is waiting for an official OK from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Terrell is expected to get that answer today and will join the squad this weekend in Mesquite if he gets the thumbs up. ... Former UNLV head coach Harvey Hyde was an interested sideline observer at Tuesday's workout.

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