UNLV: A potential honors candidate who is the squad's leading returning tackler in 2012 ... A high-energy defender that turned in a strong spring practice and is listed No. 1 at weakside linebacker heading into the fall ... Earned Preseason Second Team All-Mountain West from Lindy's ... Selected to represent the defense at the annual Mountain West Media Days event in Las Vegas in July ... Name is pronounced "low-2-LAY-LAY."

2011: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by playing in all 12 games, including taking over as a starter late in the year ... Joined the team in time for fall preseason camp ... Worked his way onto the depth chart after a solid camp effort ... Ranked third on the team with 60 total tackles, including 3 TFL ... Tied for the team high in tackles with 13 vs. No. 5 Boise State.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Spent two seasons with Merced (CA) College ... In 2010, he notched a team-high 84 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... Totaled a team season-high 12 tackles against De Anza and was an All-Golden Gate Conference selection following his sophomore season.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2009 graduate of Baldwin HS in Wailuku, HI ... Was a three-year letterman for coach A.J. Rolos ... Helped lead the Bears to three Maui Interscholastic League championships as a linebacker and fullback ... Named the MIL Defensive Player of the Year following his senior season.

PERSONAL: John Taufa Lotulelei was born on Dec. 4, 1991, in Kihei, HI ... The son of Mele and Hanisi Lotulelei ... Majoring in interdisciplinary studies.

--Courtesy of UNLVRebels.com