UNLV, Robinson get three more commitments

With talented transfers such as former USC quarterback Jason Thomas and ex-Washington State star Kevin Brown joining the likes of running back Jeremi Rudolph and wide receiver Nate Turner, UNLV's offense figures to score its fair share of points in 2000.

The big question is whether the Rebel defense can do its share to help John Robinson's club produce its first winning season since 1994.

To that end, the Rebels picked up three more key commitments over the weekend.

Long Beach City College defensive end Scott Parkhurst (6-3, 235, 4.7 seconds in the 40), a first-team J.C. Grid-Wire All-America defensive end, and Adrian Watson (6-3, 240, 4.8) of Glendale (Ariz.) Community College, a second-team J.C. Grid-Wire All-America defensive end, have committed to UNLV along with Tustin (Calif.) High School safety Zach Bell (6-2, 205).

Parkhurst originally committed to UCLA back in early December and was also recruited by Nebraska, California, Kansas State and Washington State. However, he visited UNLV over the weekend and planned to call Bruin coaches today to tell them he had decided to switch to the Rebels.

Parkhurst had 14 sacks and 29 tackles for losses this past season for the Vikings. He played his high school football at Kahuku High School in Yahaiwa, Hawaii.

Watson played his high school football in Belgium before moving to Arizona when his father, Thomas Watson III, retired from the Air Force. He also considered San Diego State and New Mexico State.

Bell, who had 90 tackles and four interceptions for the Tillers, also took recruiting trips to Wisconsin, Oregon and Boise State.

One player who was scheduled to visit UNLV over the weekend but didn't was Long Beach Poly defensive end Charles Jones.

UNLV did not receive confirmation that Jones had taken a college entrance exam -- an NCAA requirement for a recruit to take an official paid visit -- by Friday afternoon and Jones' trip was pushed back a week. Jones, who had previously taken the ACT, also took the SAT on Saturday.

Two other players from Los Angeles City Section 4-A champion Carson High School -- defensive lineman Fai Satele and LB/TE Anthony Pomarantz -- also did not visit as originally planned because the Rebels had already obtained commitments by other players at their positions.

The national letter of intent signing period begins on Feb. 2.

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