Workhorse

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Aug. 26, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

UNLV senior tailback Joe Haro won't set any records in the 40-yard dash.

He won't dazzle you with nifty fakes like Barry Sanders.

But the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Doak Walker Award candidate from Clifton, N.J., the leading returning rusher in the Mountain West Conference with 1,107 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago, more than makes up for any shortcomings in those areas with another attribute.

"He's an example of what toughness can do," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "He's one of those heart-and-soul guys.

"Joe has some gifts, like good speed, but he was lacking in some agility things. He had injury problems earlier in his career. We moved him to cornerback where we thought his speed would help him, but then he broke his leg. But he was just determined to come back and prove it.

"It wasn't one of those things where it was, 'Oh, boy, that Joe Haro is a great prospect,' " Robinson continued. "None of that was said. But then we'd walk off the field and say, 'Wow, did you see Joe Haro today?' We'd do that day after day and pretty soon everybody was saying, 'This is quite a man.' "

Or one tough Joe.

Haro was like a walking hospital at times during the 2001 season. His elbows and knees were sore and swollen much of the season. He also had a bruised shoulder and a back injury that made it difficult to stand up straight at times, much less take on 300-pound defensive linemen.

"It was pretty bad," said senior fullback Steve Costa, Haro's roommate.

But with quarterback Jason Thomas and the Rebel passing game struggling and backup running back Dominique Dorsey also battling injuries, Haro managed to answer the bell for all 11 games and carry the ball 218 times, averaging a glossy 5.1 yards per carry.

"It goes with the territory," Haro said of the injuries. "But yeah, it took me a really long time to get over them. Even in spring practice I was having a tough time getting ready for practice and stuff. But I'm pretty good now. I'm myself again."

Haro figures to get a lot more help in the backfield this year with the return of a healthy Dorsey and the addition of two talented Pac-10 transfers, Larry Croom and Deon Burnett. Plus Costa, an NFL prospect himself who was slowed the final half of the season with turf toe, returns at fullback.

"I think its great that we have so many players capable of coming in and making big plays," Haro said. "If one of us needs a blow, there's another guy who can come in and take over."

Haro is also being counted on to be one of the team leaders. Robinson said last year's 4-7 record was due in part to lack of leadership.

"We're focused, especially the seniors," Haro said. "Since last season ended, we've been talking about how we can turn this thing around and to do what we're capable of doing. It's our last chance to make our mark at UNLV."

And no one is better at leading by example than the gritty Haro.

"He's a tough guy with a tough attitude," Costa said. "Every game and every practice he's ready to go."

Robinson agrees.

"He's the ultimate team player," he said. "He's a fighter and a leader. He's the kind of man who will be a success at whatever he chooses in life. He says he wants to be in television. I think he's very handsome. I think he looks like Tom Cruise."

Looks like Tom Cruise?

Joe Haro is obviously one tailback with all the right moves.