UNLV: An up-and-coming defensive back who was impressive enough in spring practice to be listed No. 1 at free safety heading into the fall ... Is also listed as the team's long-snapper after spring practice ... Originally signed with Utah State out of high school but joined the Rebels in time for fall camp a year ago ... Named UNLV Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year last season ... Name is pronounced "PENNY VAY-ah" ... Shares a surname with but is not related to Rebel FB William Vea.

2011: Joined UNLV in time for fall camp before redshirting the season.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2011 graduate of Kealakehe HS ... Lettered four seasons for coach Gary Clark ... Played S, LB and returned punts and kickoffs for the Waveriders ... Earned Honolulu Star-Advertiser third team all-state, all-district and All-Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I honors after registering a team-high 85 total tackles, eight TFL, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and four interceptions as a senior ... Also scored three TDs, returning two interceptions and returning a kickoff 90 yards ... Helped his team finish 10-2 and win its fifth BIIF title in seven years in 2010 ... As a junior, earned First Team All-BIIF Division I accolades ... Also a four-year letterwinner in volleyball and a two-year letterwinner in basketball ... Named his school's Athlete of the Year in 2010-11.

PERSONAL: Peni A. Vea was born on March 4, 1992 ... Father is Tevita Vea and mother is Pesi Vea ... Has a brother, Aleki, and sister, Tupou ... Majoring in business.

--Courtesy of UNLVRebels.com