Cheyenne’s Sullivan commits to UNLV; Rebels host Harrison, five others this weekend

By Ryan Greene

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008 | 7:03 p.m.

Cheyenne High senior running back Marcus Sullivan, whose blinding speed helped him pop up on recruiting radars this fall, committed to UNLV on Thursday afternoon.

Sullivan finished the season with a more-than-impressive statistical resumé. He finished with 1,400 yards on the ground along with 18 touchdowns, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. He also caught 13 passes for 431 yards and seven touchdowns. Then he posted 99 of his 141 passing yards this season in a 37-36 loss to Bishop Gorman in the state quarterfinals. He threw two touchdown passes in that defeat.

Sullivan, listed at 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, projects out for the Rebels into a role similar to that of freshman Michael Johnson, who was a jack-of-all trades for Mike Sanford's 5-7 club this fall. Johnson, listed as a receiver, was used as a ballcarrier and kick returner in an effort to get his speed out into open spaces.

He gives the Rebels 11 known commitments for the class of 2009.

And UNLV is far from done. Sanford and his staff will host six prospects this weekend on official visits, including two -- Gorman safety Charles Childers and Dunbar (Md.) High linebacker Horace Miller -- who are already committed.

Both Childers and Miller will be visiting alongside teammates. From Gorman will be senior safety John Therrell, whose father, Dennis, is the Rebels' defensive coordinator. Also coming from Dunbar is senior cornerback/safety Courtney Bridget.

The two others are both relatively big names.

First is linebacker Jordan Barrett, a senior from Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Rivals.com ranks him as a three-star prospect, and the No. 54 overall senior prospect in California.

The other is a local with heavy UNLV ties -- former Palo Verde standout Jarrell Harrison. Harrison signed with UNLV as a quarterback out of high school, but after not qualifying academically, he ultimately made a name for himself as a safety at City College of San Francisco. He will choose between UNLV, Missouri and North Carolina State before signing next Wednesday.