The early signing period has quickly become the most important recruiting window on the college football calendar. That probably won't be the case for UNLV this year.
Due to the coaching change that saw Marcus Arroyo introduced as the Rebels' new coach on Friday, the team's signing-day haul is likely to be smaller than anticipated today, with Arroyo instead shifting his focus to the later signing period in February. The signing period ends Friday.
Under previous coach Tony Sanchez, UNLV had collected 11 verbal commitments from 2020 recruits. Arroyo has spent the past several days reevaluating those players. It is unclear how many of them are still being actively recruited.
Two Las Vegas locals appear to be on the outs. Chaparral linebacker Iopu Tauiliili committed to UNLV in August and expected to sign his letter of intent today, but on Tuesday his high school coach, Don Willis, told the Sun that Tauiliili had not heard from Arroyo. The same holds true for Arbor View defensive tackle Tai Tuinei, who also hasn't been contacted by Arroyo.
Tauiliili and Tuinei are 3-star prospects, according to 247Sports.
The headliners of Sanchez's class were quarterback Doug Brumfield and receiver Ronald Gilliam. The high school teammates at Junipero Serra (Gardena, Calif.) are 3-star recruits and publicly announced their intention to stick with UNLV after Sanchez's firing, but it's unknown whether Arroyo will want to bring them in.
Arroyo is still transitioning to his new job. He is staying on as the Oregon offensive coordinator through the Ducks' Rose Bowl showdown against Wisconsin on Jan. 1.
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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