Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

REBELS FOOTBALL:

UNLV lands verbal commitments from five locals

Gorman’s Bobak switches commitment from UNR to UNLV, joins four other locals to verbal with Rebels

Nolan Kohorst kick1

File photo

Green Valley HIgh kicker Nolan Kohorst

Updated Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010 | 8:37 p.m.

A Closer Look at Nolan Kohorst

Nolan Kohorst, Green Valley Kicker.

A Closer Look at Taylor Spencer

Taylor Spencer, Bishop Gorman Wide Receiver.

A Closer Look at Eric Tuiloma

Eric Tuiloma, Desert Pines Wide Receiver.

Local high school football players are lining up to play for new UNLV football coach Bobby Hauck.

Five of the seven high school seniors from Southern Nevada who took recruiting trips this weekend have committed.

Green Valley High kicker Nolan Kohorst, Bishop Gorman defensive back Taylor Spencer and Desert Pines wide receiver Eric Tuiloma each committed Sunday at the end of their trip.

Gorman defensive Ian Bobak switched his verbal commitment from UNR to UNLV Sunday night following the weekend trip and Desmond Tautofi of 2A Calvary Chapel also committed. Verbal commitments are non-binding and don't become official until the Feb. 3 national signing day.

"It was a really good trip. The atmosphere there was just great," Spencer said. "They sold me on a lot of stuff I didn't know about the school."

Spencer had five defensive touchdowns this fall in helping Gorman go undefeated and win the large-school state title.

He was also being recruited by Utah and Northern Arizona, but liked the direction UNLV's program in headed under Hauck. He compared Hauck's energy to that of first-year Gorman coach Tony Sanchez.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Spencer, who doubled at wide receiver, was a first-team All-Sunset Region selection at defensive back. He had nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in two years.

Kohorst made 25 field goals during his three-year career with the Gators and was named first-team All-Sunrise Region all three years.

He connected on 10 field goals with a long of 54 yards and was 21-of-22 on extra points as a junior. He was 10-of-14 on field goals as a sophomore in 2007, also making 21 of 22 extra points.

Kohorst, a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, also had offers from Wyoming and Air Force.

His father, Keith Kohorst, played for UNLV in the early 1980s and is the team's optometrist. Nolan Kohorst's kicking coach, Daren Libonati, is a former UNLV kicker.

“I was raised in a house where the ‘R’ word (Reno) isn’t allowed,” Kohorst said. “I probably attended 20 basketball games and five football games before I was 1-year-old.”

Tuiloma had 33 receptions for 640 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2009 for the Jaguars. He also played defensive back and had three interception returns for touchdowns over the last two years. Against Cheyenne in the season opener this fall, Tuiloma scored four touchdowns, finding the end zone all four times he touched the ball.

"I tell you what, he's just a playmaker," Desert Pines coach Paul Bennett said. "He never came off the field for me."

Click to enlarge photo

Bishop Gorman football player Victor Belen.

Gorman's Bobak switched his commitment late Sunday. He said Hauck's energy for turning the program into a winner was the ultimate selling point

"(Hauck) is just a good guy," Bobak said. "He is eager to get the season started. He has the drive and the motivation to turn UNLV into a national power."

Gorman running back Victor Belen also took his recruiting trip this weekend and said he wants to commit. He hasn't been offered a scholarship by UNLV, but believes an offer will come within 10 days.

"There is a certain demeanor with (Hauck) where you can tell he demands excellence," said the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Belen.

Belen, who rushed for 1,343 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2009, has offers from Northern Arizona and San Diego. He plans to take his trip in Northern Arizona next weekend.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].

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