Rebels land top Calif. lineman

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

UNLV has received a verbal commitment from one of the top junior college offensive line prospects on the West Coast.

Ryan Morris (6-foot-6, 295) of Palomar Junior College in Escondido, Calif., a preseason JC All-American, said he will sign with the Rebels on national letter of intent signing day on Feb. 6. Morris was also courted by Arizona State, Syracuse, Iowa State, Baylor and Missouri.

"I took a visit out there in October for the San Diego State game and really enjoyed it," Morris said. "I believe it is a good spot for me. It's not too big a school, where you can sometimes get lost, and it's not too small. I figured it was the best place for me to get myself in position to make the next step."

Morris, who originally signed with San Diego State out of Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta, Calif., will have three years to play two. He is expected to battle for the starting left tackle spot vacated by graduating Brandon Bair next fall.

"(UNLV's coaches) told me that I'll be playing for the job and will definitely be a contender (to start)," Morris said.

Dick Lascola, who runs the Fallbrook, Calif.-based Scouting Evaluation Association, which provides scouting reports on the top prep and junior college prospects, rated Morris highly.

"Going into the season, he may have been the top junior college offensive lineman in the state," Lascola said. "He's a helluva pass blocker. He slides around pretty good. I think he's a very good football player. That's a great catch for UNLV."