Recruits to report Saturday

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Aug. 6, 1999 | 9:28 a.m.

John Robinson's first UNLV recruiting class reports to fall practice Saturday afternoon and will hold its first workout on Monday morning at Rebel Park.

Veterans report on Wednesday with the entire squad beginning two-a-day workouts on Thursday morning.

"They'll basically report in and fill out a lot of forms those first couple of days," Robinson said of the newcomers. "They'll get their equipment, take pictures, and fill out more forms. It's very tedious."

The freshmen and junior college transfers will work out on Monday and Tuesday.

"It's pretty much basic fundamentals," Robinson said. "Some of the junior college players who will be playing a lot will probably be brought along a little faster. But one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to go to fast with them. There isn't that much time and they get tired."

Two players who signed national letters of intent with UNLV last February, defensive lineman Draper Redmond of Northwest Mississippi JC and Cheyenne High School quarterback Lawrence Turner, the Las Vegas Sun Offensive Player of the Year, both failed to qualify academically and will not play this season.

Robinson said that sophomore safety Sam Brandon, one of the bright spots of spring practice after moving over from wide receiver, also will sit out this season because of academics.

Brandon was expected to rotate in with starting safeties Quincy Sanders and Randy Black and provide solid depth.

"He'll practice with us but he can't play this year," Robinson said.

Brandon does have a redshirt year available.

Robinson's USC ties also paid off once again with the late recruitment of defensive end Shaheed Abdul-Malik (6-5, 250). Malik, who signed with Washington State last year but failed to meet school admission requirements, is the brother of USC all-Pac-10 candidate Sultan Abdul-Malik.