Rebels pick up QB transfer from Fresno

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002 | 10:36 a.m.

Strong-armed Tyler Arciaga won't be the only new freshman quarterback taking part in spring drills for John Robinson's UNLV football team in March.

Terry Furlow (6-feet, 185), who signed with Fresno State last year after earning Golden League back of the year honors at Palmdale (Calif.) High School, has decided to transfer to UNLV and will begin classes at school next week.

The athletic Furlow caught the eye of UNLV coaches during a summer passing tournament on campus two years ago. Another Falcon, wide receiver/defensive back Derek Hagan (6-4, 180), regarded by some scouts as the best athlete in the Antelope Valley area this past season, has verbally committed to UNLV. Hagan caught 65 passes for 843 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.

Furlow reportedly left Fresno State when the Bulldogs wanted to move him to defensive back.

Arciaga (6-3, 230) signed with UNLV last February after starring at Bonita Vista High School near San Diego. However, he decided to wait until this semester to enroll so as not to waste a year of eligibility while backing up Jason Thomas and Kurt Nantkes.

In other recruiting news:

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported that defensive tackle Manual Wright (6-6, 300), safety Darnell Bing (6-2, 220), running back Herschel Dennis (5-11, 180) and offensive lineman Winston Justice (6-5, 300) all committed to the Trojans.

USC was trying to get Jackrabbit All-American tight end Mercedes Lewis (6-7, 235) to renege on an earlier commitment to crosstown rival UCLA. However, Lewis said he is sticking with his non-binding oral commitment to UCLA and will not take a recruiting visit to Miami this weekend, as had been reported on some Internet websites.