Terrell only mainstay on UNLV offensive line

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Aug. 12, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

UNLV senior offensive guard Tony Terrell looks around the huddle these days and sees a lot of unfamiliar faces.

Gone are guys such as Peter Tramontanas and Brandon Bair who started the last couple of seasons with Terrell and formed one of the Mountain West's best run-blocking units. In fact, Terrell is the only returning starter on the offensive line.

"Yeah, it is kind of hard after playing with those guys for so many years," the 6-foot-4, 322-pound Terrell said. "Now they're gone. It's time for everybody to step up. Now is my time."

Terrell, who has made 33 career starts, including 28 in a row entering the upcoming season, is being counted on by Rebels coach John Robinson to be the leader of the rebuilt offensive line. And how quickly that unit jells could be the key to the season.

"He's a very impressive figure the way he handles himself," Robinson said. "I'm as proud of Tony as any player I have coached. He has become an example of the value of college athletics. He has improved his skills dramatically and is a definite pro prospect."

Terrell is the first to admit he has come a long way since entering UNLV in 1998 after starring at Hawthorne (Calif.) High School.

"I remember my first (fall) camp, Camp Mesquite, under Coach (Jeff) Horton," Terrell said. "That was a real tough time. I remember one day I was late and I had to do 'up-downs' on the baseball field there. There were like rocks and stuff everywhere."

But Terrell said he learned his lesson.

"I never wanted to do that again," he said. "I'd get there an hour ahead of time after that. You just have to learn from your mistakes."

Terrell isn't shying away from his leadership responsibilities.

"I have to be the leader," he said. "Some of the guys don't have any game time experience yet. If they need to ask me a question or need some guidance or something, I have to be there to help them the best I can."

Robinson said Terrell's leadership qualities are important.

"He's involved in student activities and he's involved in leadership in things off the football field as well," Robinson said. "He reminds me a little bit of (NFL Hall of Famer) Jackie Slater in his approach to life. He's just a helluva man."