Cimarron grad Sagapolu off to fast start at UNLV

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Sept. 23, 1999 | 10:36 a.m.

He has only played three college games, but UNLV freshman defensive tackle Kawika Sagapolu is more than living up to his billing as the top prep prospect from Nevada last season.

The 6-4, 285-pounder, who helped lead Cimarron High School to a state title in 1998, was one of the few bright spots on UNLV's defensive line in last week's 24-0 loss to Iowa State, finishing with three tackles, including one for a loss.

"I think he has enormous potential," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "He has great power in his legs. Like all young players, he had a tendency to play very high and that gets him in trouble. But I think last week the light went on and he kept lower. As he develops the ability to use his hands, we're going to see a player who becomes nationally prominent.

"He's very gifted physically. I think he's a bright guy. He'll be in a starting role or close to a starting role the rest of his freshman year."

That's kind of what Robinson and company had in mind when they beat out schools such as BYU, Arizona State and Oregon for Sagapolu last year. In fact, Robinson didn't hide the fact that the signing of Sagapolu could be the cornerstone to helping turn around the Rebels' sorry football fortunes of recent years.

Sagapolu responded to that challenge by losing almost 40 pounds from his high school playing weight of 320. Gone is the baby fat that seemed to limit his mobility at times last year.

"I think he's a big cat now," Robinson said. "He reminds me somewhat of Darrell Russell when he was at SC. Actually, at least in the last game, he probably played better than Darrell did as a freshman at USC."

Whoa! That's pretty high praise considering Russell went on to become an All-American and first round NFL pick with the Trojans.

"He's similar to Darrell in that he has enormous quickness and power," Robinson said. "And at times he still plays high as Darrell probably still does."

Sagapolu admits he is surprised he has adapted to college football as quickly as he has.

"I didn't think I'd really have a chance to play here this year," he said. "(Defensive coordinator Jeff McInerney) kept telling me that I was going to play when they recruited me. But I thought he was just telling me that. I never thought he would put me in there. It's surprising to come right out of high school and play as many plays as I have."

The biggest difference between playing defensive line in high school and college?

"It's more hard work," Sagapolu said. "You have to play faster. There's a lot more fundamentals. And mentally it's tougher. And you're playing against 300-pounders every game. You have to utilize your speed and quickness and get off the ball into them. If you let them get into you, then they start driving you back and then that's when you have a fight on your hands."

* PILAROWSKI QUITS: Senior offensive lineman Glenn Pilarowski, a Silverado High School product who started five games in 1998 for UNLV, quit the team on Wednesday.

"Glenn has left the team," Robinson said. "He had some eligibility problems and fell way behind. And it's his senior year."

* BROWN PRACTICES: All-Pac-10 running back Kevin Brown, who transferred to UNLV from Washington State two weeks ago, made his practice debut on Wednesday afternoon.

Brown practiced in shorts during the two-hour workout which was held in a steady rain at Rebel Park.

The 6-1, 225-pounder, who rushed for 1,046 yards and scored four touchdowns with the Cougars in 1998, must sit out this season and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

* TICKET UPDATE: UNLV associate athletic director Terry Cottle believes a crowd of more than 20,000 will be on hand for Saturday night's game with Utah.

Cottle added that the Utes have sold more than 1,000 tickets to the game.