Here’s the latest from the Las Vegas Sun on new UNLV coach Bobby Hauck’s recruiting prowess. He was able to get Kjelby Oiland, a defensive tackle who had long been on his (and Montana’s) radar, to commit to the Rebels over the weekend.

It’s a nice pickup for Hauck, and not unexpected (the story also mentions that Spokane recruit Trevor Poole, a Griz legacy, is leaning towards UM). Hauck was on him early, and according to one recruiting site story, former UNLV coach Mike Sanford had also recruited Oiland.

In 2008, when the Griz had to replace two dozen seniors and had many unknowns, I loved the fact that four of their more productive players received a total of one half-ride to come in as freshmen. That belonged to Chase Reynolds; the walk-ons who became studs were Colt Anderson, Marc Mariani and Tyler Corwin. The Griz went 14-2 and surged into the national championship, where they lost to Richmond.

I wasn’t sure if that spoke favorably for Hauck’s recruiting approach; probably it does. But now that Hauck is in the Bowl Subdivision, where you can’t split scholarships, he seems to be grading above the curve. Good for him and UNLV.

-Fritz Neighbor