Pac-10 back may be headed for Rebels

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999 | 9:56 a.m.

John Robinson's reputation for helping turn USC into Tailback U has evidently followed him to UNLV.

The Rebels are expected to learn this morning whether Kevin Brown, a second team all-Pac-10 running back at Washington State last year, will be allowed to enroll at UNLV.

The 6-1, 230-pound Brown, who set a Washington State sophomore rushing mark of 1,046 yards and scored four touchdowns in 1998, would have to redshirt this season. He would have one year of eligibility remaining.

Brown, who signed with Nebraska out of Baldwin Park (Calif.) High School, is the second top-notch running prospect in a week to apply for admission to UNLV. Previously, Raymont Skaggs of Florida State got his release from the Seminoles with the intention of also transferring to UNLV.

If both are admitted, UNLV's running back corps could be very impressive next season. Jeremi Rudolph, who rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns at North Texas, also returns for his senior year next season.

Brown does come with his share of baggage, however.

Slated to be a key starter for Mike Price's Cougars this year, Brown along with teammates Jason White and Ramin White were kicked out of school after pleading guilty to residential burglary in June.

The trio walked into an unlocked apartment on the Washington State campus and stole more than $2,000 of personal property, including computer equipment. The stolen property was later recovered by campus police in an adjoining apartment. The trio accepted a plea bargain of pleading guilty to residential burglary. In exchange for the guilty pleas, the state dropped more serious charges of first degree theft.

The players were sentenced to 30 days in jail and 240 hours of community by Whitman County Superior Court Judge Wallis Friel.

Brown addressed the court before his sentencing.

"I apologize to everybody that I hurt in this situation -- the victims, my coaches, my family, everybody," Brown said. "It is something that shouldn't have happened. I will never let it happen again. I just want to ask for forgiveness. This is not my character."

"He let one night of extreme stupidity put his future in doubt," Brown's attorney, Denis Tracy, said. "A terrible thing has happened, but I hope it is not going to become a tragedy ... I know Kevin Brown will not allow it to become a tragedy."

Price spoke on Brown's behalf at the sentencing, saying the incident was completely out of character for his star running back.

"I was shocked when I heard about it," Price said. "(Brown) has so much to lose and so much going in his way."

Brown's junior college coach, George Rush of San Francisco City College, reportedly lobbied on his behalf with UNLV coaches. Brown led all California JC running backs in rushing in 1997 with 1,762 yards (8.0 avg. per carry) and 20 touchdowns while leading his team to a 11-1 record and 42-17 win over Butte College in the Hawaiian Punch Bowl.

Last year Brown worked his way into the Washington State starting lineup by mid-season. He gained 481 yards in one three-game stretch against Arizona State, Arizona and Stanford capped by a 37-carry, 216-yard performance against the Cardinal.

He ranked third in the Pac-10 in rushing with a 95.1 yards per game average and ranked 39th nationally.