Ronnie Lott fan Brandon switched to free safety

As a youngster growing up in Riverside, Calif., Sam Brandon idolized an NFL star who grew up right next door in Rialto.

"I always loved Ronnie Lott to death," the 6-3, 200-pound sophomore said. "That's why I picked this number (42) in high school. I always wanted to be a free safety."

Brandon, who caught 12 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown last year as a freshman wide receiver for UNLV, finally is getting his wish.

The former prep teammate of Butkus Award winning linebacker Chris Claiborne of J.W. North High School was switched to free safety by new Rebels' coach John Robinson, who coached Lott at USC.

And if that wasn't enough reason for Brandon to celebrate, he got to actually meet his idol before a recent spring practice at UNLV when Lott spoke briefly to the squad.

"When he came in and talked to us, I just sat there and listened to every word he said," Brandon said.

"I'm 42 and he was 42. He's the greatest free safety there ever was. I mean, I'm just happy to be out there wearing the same number that he wore. And then to also be playing for the same (college) coach he played for at USC ... it's like a dream come true."

Brandon is doing more than just wearing Lott's old number. He has been one of the biggest surprises of the spring for the Rebels.

"I love that move," Robinson said. "(Senior) Quincy Sanders and (Brandon) together are going to be pretty good there for us."

Sanders, a senior from Reno, has been on the sidelines recuperating from off-season knee surgery most of spring practice and is expected to regain his starting spot in the fall. But Brandon credits "Q" for helping him make the transition back to defense much more smoother.

"Quincy is a great player," Brandon said. "He's been out there helping me and coaching me, telling me what I'm doing wrong. He's really been a big help for me."

* TIM O'REILLY, ESQ.: Senior placekicker Tim O'Reilly, who prepped at Bishop Gorman, recently was admitted to UNLV's new Boyd School of Law and will begin the three-year grind for his law degree next fall.

O'Reilly walked on for a year at UNLV before being granted a scholarship by then-head coach Jeff Horton. He needed just four years to earn his degree in hotel management.

"It paid to get done in four years," said O'Reilly, who will have his first year of law school paid by his athletic scholarship.

"It's going to be tough trying to both play football and go to law school. But it's more a matter of time management than anything."

O'Reilly said his classes, which are expected to be done by 3 p.m. each day, shouldn't interfere with football practice.

"Coach Robinson was delighted when I told him the news," he said. "He told me he'd work with my schedule."

O'Reilly's father, John, is a partner in the Las Vegas law firm of Keefer, O'Reilly, Ferrario and Lubbers.

"My dad never pushed me," O'Reilly said. "It was something I decided to do."

* SPRING DRILLS END: The Rebels will hold the final of their 15 allotted spring practices this afternoon at 3:30 at Rebel Park.

There are no plans for a season-ending scrimmage.

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