UNLV gets commitment from Calif. star

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 12:14 p.m.

UNLV head coach John Robinson took a big step toward rebuilding his offensive line when he landed a verbal commitment from former Cal State Northridge star Carlos Acosta.

The 6-foot-3 1/2, 290-pound Acosta, who originally signed with USC out of Moorpark Junior College in Moorpark, Calif., will enroll in the fall and challenge sophomore Dominic Furio for the starting center job that has opened up with the graduation of second team all-Mountain West pick Peter Tramontanas. He has just one year of eligibility remaining.

Cal State Northridge dropped its football program on Nov. 20. Players can enroll at another Division I school and be eligible immediately.

"He's a good, good player," ex-Matador head coach Jeff Kearin said. "He's got a chance (to play in the NFL)."

The Rebels are also in the running for another Northridge offensive lineman, tackle Isaac Aaronson (6-7, 310), who visited UNLV on Thursday.

"He's the most sought-after offensive lineman in the country right now," Kearin said. "Kansas State, Oregon State, USC, Michigan, Nebraska, Hawaii and Texas Tech are among the schools after him."

Aaronson has two years of eligibility remaining. UNLV's two starting tackles from last season, Brandon Bair and Shane Wagers, graduated.