Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

REBELS FOOTBALL:

Defensive tackle from Washington commits to UNLV, confident in Hauck

Kjelby Oiland was sold on Montana's football program since his sophomore year of high school.

The lineman had been recruited by the Grizzlies the last three years while shining at Ferris High in Spokane, Wash., and became fond of coach Bobby Hauck and his staff.

But when Hauck left Montana at the end of December to become the head coach at UNLV, Oiland was left with a decision to make. He had two scholarship offers — UNLV and Montana.

Oiland took a recruiting trip to UNLV last weekend and knew Sunday when he returned home that he wanted to be a Rebel. He canceled this weekend's planned trip to Montana and called UNLV's coaches to accept their offer.

"I was impressed with the positive attitude of the new coaches," he said. "I really believe they are going to turn the program around quickly."

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Oiland helped Ferris reach the large-school state championship game last fall by anchoring the offensive and defensive lines. He was recruited to play defensive tackle at UNLV.

"He's a real athletic kid with a good motor," Ferris coach Jim Sharkey said. "He's real aggressive and plays with high energy."

Another Ferris lineman who is being recruited by UNLV, 6-5, 250-pound offensive tackle Trevor Poole, is taking his trip this weekend to Montana. Poole's father played at Montana, and Trevor is leaning toward committing to the Grizzlies, Sharkey said.

Recruiting Web site Rivals.com also lists UNLV as receiving commitments from two others. Running back Tim Cornett of North Shore High in Texas committed this week after visiting last weekend, and tight end Anthony Vidal of Orange Coast College in California also has committed.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Vidal reportedly is taking his trip this weekend. A three-star prospect by Rivals, Vidal caught six passes for 58 yards this year — Orange Coast only passed for four touchdowns and 1,200 yards in 10 games. Cornett rushed for 1,569 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2009.

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