Wright joins UNLV

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005 | 9:49 a.m.

The long-rumored transfer of former USC cornerback Eric Wright to UNLV finally became official on Wednesday afternoon.

Wright started four games for the national champion Trojans and had an interception in USC's 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. But Wright decided to leave USC after a female student accused him of sexually assaulting her in his apartment in late March.

Criminal charges for sexual assualt were later dropped for insufficient evidence by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office although police did find 136 ecstasy pills in Wright's apartment. The Los Angeles Daily News reported that a USC student-affairs hearing later handed Wright a three-year suspension even though Wright had already withdrawn from school.

UNLV coach Mike Sanford said he conducted an extensive background check on Wright and decided the 6-foot, 180-pound corner deserved a second chance.

"(UNLV athletic director) Mike Hamrick and I met with Eric," Sanford said. "We felt like that after getting to know him, hearing him talk and asking some questions that he would be an asset to our program. We felt that if he in any way was going to be a detriment to our program, we would not let him in.

"We feel like he made a serious mistake but we also feel like it's worth giving him a second chance. We've gotten all kinds of positive references for him as a kid."

Sanford said "a system of discipline is in place" that Wright, who will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2005 season per NCAA transfer rules, must maintain to remain at UNLV.

Wright, who also took a recruiting trip to Michigan State and was also contacted by Auburn and Michigan, was asked why he picked UNLV.

"It's a real intriguing situation with the new coaching staff here," he said. "There's a turnaround coming and I want to be part of something special. ... I'm starting fresh with a group of guys here who can get it done."

So just how good is Wright?

"He is an outstanding college corner with great ability," Sanford said. "Cornerback is one of those hard positions to recruit a player to. And he's a special player in that area."

New Mexico likes to wear down opposing defenses with the running of preseason MWC offensive player of the year DonTrell Moore behind a big, physical offensive line. Senior center Ryan Cook (6-foot-7, 331 pounds), a two-time first-team all-MWC choice who is a Rimington Award candidate, leads that unit.

UNLV junior nose guard Howie Fuimaono (6-foot, 330 pounds) will line up across from Cook most of the game with senior Isaiah Tafua and sophomore Cedrick Fisher also expected to see action there.

"No question it will be a very key matchup," Sanford said.

Sanford compares Fuimaono favorably to Utah's Steve Fifita, the preseason MWC defensive player of the year.

"He's in that same category," Sanford said. "Howie has had a very good camp and he's difficult to block. But he's going against the best center in the league."

Fuimaono, who has played against Cook each of the last two seasons, knows he will have his hands full.

"He's really aggressive and he has really good hands," Fuimaono said. "He is the best offensive lineman in the league right now. He's the best player I've played against each of the last two years."