Six local standouts sign with Division I schools

Spencer Patterson

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000 | 10:31 a.m.

As the nation's prep football signing period opened today, six of Las Vegas' top players made their decisions official, while another opted to take a bit more time to consider his options.

The six local signees -- Bonanza's Adam Seward, Chaparral's John Ream and Mario Hagan, Cimarron-Memorial's Taylor Miller, Durango's Jamaal Brimmer and Las Vegas High's Jonathan Pollard -- all made good on verbal commitments they gave to schools during the last several months.

Meanwhile, Cheyenne defensive end Lynn McGruder, considered by many to be the state's top recruit, decided to hold off on signing a letter of intent. On Tuesday night, he told the Sun he had narrowed his choices to Tennessee and UNLV.

McGruder aside, the Rebels have already added two of the state's top defensive players in Brimmer and Seward.

Brimmer (6-2, 205), USA Today's Nevada player of the year, starred as a quarterback and safety for the Trailblazers, but is likely to play on defense for UNLV, either at safety or outside linebacker.

Seward (6-3, 235), a first-team Sun all-state selection, will probably see time at both inside and outside linebacker for the Rebels.

Three of the area's top recruits -- Ream, Hagan and Pollard -- opted to accept scholarships to Pac-10 schools.

Ream (6-4, 270), who committed to UCLA way back in the spring of his junior year, was recruited to play center for the Bruins. His Chaparral teammate Hagan (6-3, 195), the Sun's 1999 State Offensive Player of the Year, is headed to Cal, where he is expected to play receiver.

"It's exciting to see both of them go," said Cowboys' coach Ben Johnson, who also sent linebacker Richard Seigler to Oregon State last year. "With three kids in the Pac-10 at three different schools, hopefully one of them can get to the Rose Bowl.

"Maybe I can get some tickets," Johnson joked.

Pollard (6-2, 205) also chose the Pac-10, following Seigler's footsteps to Oregon State. The first-team all-state star will play outside linebacker for the Beavers.

Miller (6-2, 215), the Sun's 1999 defensive player of the year, signed with Utah this morning. The leading tackler for the two-time state champion Spartans will go on a Mormon mission before arriving in Salt Lake City to play linebacker for the Utes.

With McGruder's decision expected to come in the next week, area coaches are already hailing this year's local class as one of the finest in Southern Nevada history.

"You're looking at players who, when you watched them on film, they all jumped out at you," Las Vegas High coach Kris Cinkovich said. "That's the first time in recent memory that we saw a group like that. You would think these players will go on to do great things."

Agreed Johnson, "With the city getting larger, there's more talent and the recruiters are coming in more. Once you get to know these recruiters, they start looking at Las Vegas more and more."

Several other area players did not sign today, but are still in the hunt for college football scholarships; among them are: Valley linebacker Jesse Adarme, Valley tight end Devon Stewart, Las Vegas quarterback Anthony Marini, Las Vegas receiver Anthony Park, Western defensive end Marcus Levi, Rancho receiver Rod Lukes and Mojave linebacker Willie Ealy.