Not your average Joe

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | 9:43 a.m.

Joe Haro had the fourth-highest season rushing total in UNLV history when he gained 1,107 yards and scored 10 touchdowns last year.

The second team all-Mountain West Conference pick is the leading returning rusher in the MWC. And he could join Mike Thomas as the only Rebel to post two 1,000-yard rushing seasons if he can pick up in 2002 where he left off in 2001.

But with two talented transfers from Pac-10 schools -- juniors Larry Croom (Arizona) and Deon Burnett (Washington State) -- eligible to play next fall, there has been speculation the gutty 5-foot-10, 195-pound Haro could find himself third on the team's depth chart for its Aug. 31 season opener against Wisconsin at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Not so, says Rebel head coach John Robinson.

"That's crazy," Robinson said following a spring workout this week. "Joe is the starter. We're going to try and use them all, but Joe is a starter and a key guy and a leader on this team.

"Joe, Tony Terrell, Jason Thomas, DeJhown Mandley, Troy Mason, Steve Costa ... we have some seniors who are really important leaders to us. I think Joe is a big-time person and a big-time player, one of those guys who sets the pace for you on every play."

Haro, who accomplished his breakout season last fall despite being plagued by back spasms and two bruised knees that had to be drained on occasion, seems to welcome the added competition at tailback.

"We've got some great guys here with Larry and Deon and veterans like Johnny Graham and Royce Boone," Haro said. "It's really been good with these guys out there pushing me. We're putting in some new things with the backs catching the ball out of the backfield and stuff. It's exciting.

"You don't pay attention to stuff that might be speculated on the Internet or on a sports talk show. You come out and keep playing for your position and competing every day. Good things come to those who compete hard."

Robinson said the foursome of Haro, Croom, Burnett and fullback Steve Costa ranks with some of the top units he had during his storied USC "Tailback U" coaching days.

"It compares," Robinson said. "I wish we had a little more depth at fullback. But I think Larry Croom and Deon are really starting to improve now. (Assistant head coach) John Jackson has coached a lot of great backs in his career and teaches them all to play hard. And I really think he's having an impact on them."

Haro said the Rebels are determined to make amends for last year's disappointing 4-7 campaign.

"We're going to have something like (25) seniors on this team, including guys like Connie (Brown) and Tyrone (Tucker) and Keith (Kincaid) who only get to play this one year here," Haro said. "These guys are hungry. They want to win now. We want to come out and show the city of Las Vegas just what we can do this fall."

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