Transfer from Purdue expects to find a good fit with Rebels

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000 | 11:01 a.m.

A few months ago, Larry Shyne was lining up each Saturday against teams such as Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and Penn State as a member of the Purdue Boilermakers.

But the former JC All-American from Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., had a hard time adjusting to life in West Lafayette, Ind.

"Coming from Southern California, it was a culture shock to be sure," Shyne said Monday. "I think Las Vegas is a little more the lifestyle I'm used to."

So the 5-11, 175-pound Shyne, who has been timed at 4.24 over 40 yards, has decided to transfer to UNLV, where he is expected to give the Rebels a legitimate home run threat at wide receiver.

Shyne will enroll in classes today and take part in spring drills. He will likely have to sit out the 2000 season and will have one year of eligibility remaining, although he is petitioning the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility.

"A blur," is how one UNLV coach described Shyne in action.

Shyne was rated the No. 13 junior college player in the nation by Super Prep following his sophomore year at Mt. Sac, in which he caught 50 passes.

After sitting out the first three games of the 1999 season at Purdue while waiting for his transcript to be approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse, he played in seven games for the Boilermakers and caught two passes for 36 yards, including a 28-yarder against Penn State. He also returned nine kickoffs for a 22.0 averaged and carried the ball four times on reverses for nine yards. He didn't score any touchdowns.

Shyne was expected to contend for a starting job with the Boilermakers if he had stayed this year.

"I talked with Coach (Joe) Tiller and told him I just didn't think Indiana was the place for me," Shyne said. "I don't think he was very happy about it, but after a while he granted me my release."

Meanwhile, UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas, the man who likely will be throwing passes to Shyne when he becomes eligible, had another reason to smile on Monday.

Longtime friend Mike "Shanga" Wilson of Chaffey JC in Ontario, Calif., decided to commit to UNLV despite offers from Utah, Fresno State, Utah State and a chance to visit Michigan.

The 6-1, 215-pound linebacker originally signed with Arizona out of Corona (Calif.) Centennial High School and played briefly as a redshirt freshman with the Wildcats before leaving for Chaffey.

"It just seemed like a family atmosphere when I visited UNLV," said Wilson, who had 115 tackles and six sacks last season.

"I liked the facilities. And it will be great to play with Jason again."

Thomas and Wilson played flag football together at the age of seven in Compton.

Among their teammates were Ken-Yon Rambo (Ohio State), Willie Hurst (Washington), Marques Anderson (UCLA) and Patrick McCall (Michigan/Oregon State).

The two also attended Leapwood Elementary School in Carson and Carson Christian Junior High School together.

"He's a heck of a player," an excited Thomas said upon learning the news on Monday.

"I played Pop Warner football with him for a long time and he was always one of our leaders. One thing I told the coaches was that they weren't just bringing in a great athlete but also a good person as well."

The Rebels also landed a commitment from cornerback Ruschard Dodd-Masters (5-10, 170) of De Anza High in Richmond, Calif.

Dodd-Masters also visited Arizona and Washington State.

He had seven interceptions as a senior for the Dons and was a first team all-Bay Area pick by the Contra Costa Times.