Skaggs, Rebels look like good fit

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, April 4, 2000 | 10:22 a.m.

No regrets.

Raymont Skaggs says he has no second thoughts about leaving Florida State prior to the 1999 season. If the 5-9, 180-pound running back had stayed, he'd be wearing a national championship ring these days.

"I mean, I love all the guys who are there," Skaggs, who transferred to UNLV last fall, said after a recent spring practice workout. "But there were things that were out of my control that stopped me from playing. So I had to transfer."

Skaggs, who played for a Los Angeles City Section 4-A title team at famed Dorsey High School, played just one season for Bobby Bowden's Seminoles after attending West Los Angeles Community College.

He carried 20 times for 81 yards and scored one touchdown, an 18-yarder against Virginia. But he remained third on the FSU depth chart at tailback behind Travis Minor and Jeff Chaney at the start of his senior year.

"I just wasn't getting enough playing time in games," Skaggs said. "I'd come to practice and I thought I was earning my time. The defensive guys thought I was earning my time. But then when it came to playing in games, it was a different situation."

So just before what was to become a national championship season for Florida State, Skaggs elected to transfer to UNLV even though he would have just one year of eligibility remaining.

"I had to go somewhere that I thought I could be comfortable, especially outside of football," Skaggs said. "I choose UNLV because it was closer to home and they had a great coach in John Robinson."

Skaggs used to attend USC football practices to watch another Dorsey High and West LA grad who played for Robinson Keyshawn Johnson.

"So I knew (Robinson) was a player's coach," Skaggs said. "He has a good group of assistants here, too. I'm just happy to be here with these guys. It's almost like coming home."

As one might expect of a player who was good enough to be recruited by Florida State, Skaggs has been very impressive so far in UNLV spring drills.

"He has outstanding quickness and good speed," Robinson said. "He's a gifted runner. He's learning a new system here that has caused him to be a bit inconsistent so far. But the potential is there."

Skaggs says he has been impressed by his new group of teammates.

"I mean, it's a different atmosphere here as far as rankings and things," Skaggs said. "But we do have a good group of guys here. When I first got here, they gave me my space. They all understood the situation I was going through just by leaving a school like Florida State and coming here.

"I'm just thankful they all accepted me. Now I can't wait to go out and play with them and bring something to the table."