Cheyenne star commits to UNLV

One down, two to go.

New UNLV head football coach John Robinson got a verbal commitment from one of the state's top three prep football prospects Sunday when Cheyenne quarterback/defensive back Lawrence Turner (6-0, 175), the Sun's Offensive Player of the Year, announced he would become a Rebel.

"Originally, I wanted to go out of town," Turner said Sunday night. "But then I made my trip to UNLV this weekend and had a great time. I really like all the coaches they had there."

Turner, who passed or ran for 13 touchdowns for the Desert Shields and also intercepted six passes, said he would likely play defensive back for the Rebels. He had already taken a recruiting trip to Nevada-Reno and canceled trips to Colorado State and Weber State.

The two other top prospects in the state, defensive lineman Kawika Sagapolu and outside linebacker Arnold Parker of Cimarron-Memorial, visited UNLV on Jan. 8-10. Both also visited Arizona State this past weekend and are scheduled to visit BYU next weekend.

"It would be nice if they came (to UNLV)," Turner said. "Me and Arnold are pretty tight. I don't know Kawika that well. But I don't think my decision will influence them that much."

Turner, who said he was promised by UNLV coaches that he would get a shot to play quarterback, said another major reason he picked the Rebels was because his family would be able to see him play.

"That was big," he said. "Every sport I've ever played my parents (Larry and Pamela) and sisters (Tamyra and Alexandria) would come and see me play. Now they can see me play in college, too."

Turner's decision highlighted what proved to be a very successful weekend for the Rebels.

Three other high school recruits -- defensive back Nick Barnett (6-2, 186) of Fontana (Calif.) A.B. Miller High School, offensive guard Dominic Furio (6-2, 270) of San Pedro (Calif.) High School and safety Tosh Burrus (6-0, 186) of Santa Rosa (Calif.) Montgomery High School -- committed to UNLV as well as defensive end Karman Saulsberry (6-3, 280) of Northwest Mississippi Junior College.

Two other high school recruits -- quarterback Matt Ray (6-3, 190) of Quincy (Calif.) High School and WR/DB Michael Johnson (6-0, 180) of Vista (Calif.) -- reportedly could commit to UNLV this week. And Saulsberry's highly touted Northwest Mississippi JC teammate, defensive end Draper Redmond (6-4, 260), will also likely come if he meets school admission requirements.

Furio, who drew early recruiting interest from USC, picked UNLV over Nevada-Reno, Boise State and Sacramento State. He was a three-year starter for the Pirates, who won the Los Angeles City Section 4-A title in 1996 and 1997, and was the first lineman in eight years to earn Southern-Pacific Conference MVP honors this past season.

"We felt he was a good run blocker and the type of player who could get better down the road," said Dick Lascola of the Scouting Evaluation Association.

"Coach Robinson told me he thinks I'm talented enough to get in the mix (for playing time) as a freshman," Furio said. "I was really impressed by the coaches and the facilities there. Everything seemed so new."

Barnett was a first team all-Citrus Belt League choice for A.B. Miller despite missing three games with a bruised kidney. He won the league 300 intermediate hurdles crown as a junior (39.0), the first year he competively ran the race. He also was timed at 15.2 in the 110 high hurdles.

Barnett picked the Rebels over San Jose State and Iowa State.

"He's a competitor," Lascola said. "He's a very active player who plays the run well."

Saulsberry, who was leaning toward Oregon State before the recent departure of head coach Mike Riley to the San Diego Chargers, also was being actively recruited by Louisville, Memphis and Southern Mississippi. He had 45 tackles and five sacks for the Rangers (9-3) en route to second team all-state JC honors.

"I don't think I need to look anymore," Saulsberry said. "I liked the coaches there a lot on my trip. (Defensive coordinator) Jeff McInerney was a big reason why I was looking at Oregon State before and now he's at UNLV. And with Coach Robinson, I know we'll have a winning coaching staff."

Burrus was regarded by many scouts as the top prospect in the Santa Rosa area this year.

Ray, the nephew of NFL coaching Bill Walsh, is to have a home visit with Robinson tonight. He has narrowed his choices to UNLV and Boise State.

"I was shocked at how good the facilities were at UNLV," Ray said. "It looked like they were just waiting for a magic man to come in and turn things around, and I think Coach Robinson could be that guy."

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