UNLV’s Cornett, Gorman grad Grimble get their NFL chance

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Sunday, May 11, 2014 | 1:30 p.m.

No players with Las Vegas ties were selected in this year’s NFL Draft, which concluded Saturday with the final four rounds.

But, shortly after the draft ended, UNLV running back Tim Cornett signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals and Bishop Gorman grad Xavier Grimble signed with the New York Giants, according to NFL.com.

Cornett led UNLV in rushing the past four years, gaining 3,733 yards with 16 career 100-yard rushing games, ranking him second all-time in the Mountain West. He’s the first player in UNLV history to lead the team in rushing four straight seasons, scoring 38 total touchdowns.

A record 16 players from UNLV’s Mountain West conference were picked, including UNR offensive lineman Joel Bitonio being selected in the second round at No. 35 overall to the Cleveland Browns.

Also from Northern Nevada, former McQueen standout Kyle Van Noy of BYU was a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions.

Grimble, who left USC early after his redshirt junior season, won state championships at Gorman in 2007 and 2009. He’s one of 37 underclassmen to turn professional only to go undrafted.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.