Odom Announces His First Early Signing Class

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – New UNLV football head coach Barry Odom announced that seven student-athletes signed on to join the Rebels during Wednesday's opening day of the national early signing period.
 
The initial list was made up of six high school players and one transfer from a junior college. Four members of the group are scheduled to enroll full time at UNLV in January and take part in spring practice, which is slated to open in March.
 
The majority of the Class of 2023 will sign starting on the traditional signing day on February 1.
 
"I'm excited about the start of this Rebel recruiting class," said Odom. "We have added some pieces to our foundation that will help build our program. The urgency that our staff has in recruiting will help transform UNLV football to great success and these early signees all have skills and qualities that will be a huge part of that. I'm thrilled to add these guys today and look forward to filling out this class in February."
 
The early class' position breakdown sees three defensive players, three on offense and one lineman still to be determined: 2 DL, 2 TE, 1 LB, 1 OL, 1 OL/DL.
 
The group consists of student-athletes whose hometowns are spread among five states: two each are from California and Colorado while one each is from Nevada, Arizona and Hawai'i.
 
Now through March 31, 2023, renewal pricing, which starts at $125 per season ticket, is available and includes the option of using payment plans until the deadline. All football season ticket holders renewing before March 31 will pay a lower price than new season ticket holders.
 
New season tickets are also now on sale. The six-game slate includes dates with Hawai'i, Colorado State and Vanderbilt, which will be the first Southeastern Conference team to play at UNLV during the regular season. Call (702) 739-FANS or visit unlvtickets.com.
 
UNLV FOOTBALL EARLY SIGNING CLASS

 NAME                                        POS     HT    WT     CL-EXP   HOMETOWN            PREVIOUS SCHOOL      
Blesyng Alualu-Tuiolemotu*  LB         6-2    210     FR-HS      Kalihi, HI                     James Campbell HS
Lucas Conti*                               DL         6-5    260    FR-HS      Corona, CA                Centennial HS
Christian Earls*                          TE         6-7    225     SO-TR      Chandler, AZ             Kilgore College
Matthew Greene                       OL/DL  6-5    270    FR-HS      Centennial, CO          Arapahoe HS
Ed Haynes                                   OL        6-3     265    FR-HS      Henderson, NV         Liberty HS
Maxwell Peterson                     DL         6-4    305    FR-HS      R. Cucamonga, CA   Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Charlie Williams*                      TE         6-4     240    FR-HS      Aspen, CO                  IMG Academy
 
*Expected to enroll at UNLV in January                                           
 
 

BLESYNG ALUALU-TUIOLEMOTU

LB        6-2        210         FR-HS            Kalihi, HI                                   James Campbell HS 
A linebacker from the islands who committed to UNLV in July over offers from Army and UNR … A three-star recruit according to 247Sports and On3 … Ranked the No. 15 prospect in the state of Hawai'i by 247Sports … Selected to play in the Polynesian Bowl all-star game scheduled for Jan. 20, 2023 … Plans to enroll at UNLV in January and compete in spring practice … Name is pronounced "BLESSING AH-lu-AH-lu two-E-OH-lay-MO-two." HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner at James Campbell HS in Ewa Beach, HI, under coach Darren Johnson … Helped the Sabers to a 7-4 record and final ranking of No. 4 in the state by MaxPreps this season.
 

LUCAS CONTI

DL        6-5        260         FR-HS            Corona, CA                                        Centennial HS  
A highly recruited defensive lineman who is a three-star prospect by 247Sports, On3 and ESPN … Listed as the No. 82 overall recruit in the state of California and No. 75 DL in the nation according to 247Sports and the No. 85 player at his position in the country by ESPN … Chose the Rebels over offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Washington State and Minnesota … Plans to enroll at UNLV in January and compete in spring practice. HIGH SCHOOL: A letterwinner at Centennial HS under coach Matt Logan … Helped the Huskies finish 9-2 as a senior, including 5-0 in league play ... Totaled four sacks and two blocked field goals this fall … During his junior season, led the team with seven sacks and was third in tackles with 56.

CHRISTIAN EARLS

TE        6-7        225         SO-TR           Chandler, AZ                   Basha HS/Kilgore College
A tall target at tight end who transfers in at midyear and will compete in spring practice with the Rebels. AT JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played the 2022 season at Kilgore College in Texas as part of the Southwest Junior College Football Conference … Appeared in 11 games for the Rangers as a redshirt freshman this season … Caught two passes for 48 yards, including one touchdown … Redshirted his first season at Butler CC in Kansas. HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Basha HS in Chandler … Played TE and DE for the Bears under coach Chris McDonald … Missed his junior season because of injury.

MATTHEW GREENE

OL/DL  6-5        270       FR-HS              Centennial, CO                                    Arapahoe HS
A big presence up front who will either play offensive or defensive line for the Rebels. HIGH SCHOOL: A letterman at Arapahoe HS … Played his senior year for coach Tyler Brayton … Earned First Team 5A All-State as an OL in 2022 … Helped the Warriors to a 4-1 league mark and No. 15 final state ranking by MaxPreps this season … Also competes in basketball and lacrosse.
 

ED HAYNES

OL        6-3        265       FR-HS             Henderson, NV                                        Liberty HS
A still-learning blocker from powerhouse local prep program Liberty High School who committed to UNLV in September … Moved to Nevada in 2021 from Monroe, LA … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals, On3 and ESPN … The No. 11 recruit in the state of Nevada and the No. 99 offensive tackle in the nation according to 247Sports … Rated No. 15 in the Silver State and 111 in the country by ESPN and No. 12 and No. 96, respectively, by On3 … Chose the Rebels over offers from Arizona State, Oregon State, Hawai'i and Utah State. HIGH SCHOOL: A two-year letterwinner at Liberty HS under coach Rich Muraco … Named First Team All-Southern Nevada and First Team All-Desert League while helping the Patriots win the Mountain League title this fall.
 
MAXWELL PETERSON 
DL        6-4        305       FR-HS              Rancho Cucamonga, CA     Eleanor Roosevelt HS 
A big defensive lineman from the Golden State. HIGH SCHOOL: A two-year letterman at Eleanor Roosevelt HS in Eastvale, CA … An all-league player for the Mustangs under head coach Tommy Leach and coach Sean Gueringer … Played varsity basketball as a freshman … Also attended Etiwanda HS as a sophomore.
 

CHARLIE WILLIAMS

TE        6-4        240       FR-HS              Aspen, CO                                         IMG Academy
A tight end out who this year was part of the post-graduate program at IMG Academy … A well-traveled player who competed in three different states during his high school career … A former WR who moved to TE while at the nation's top prep program, which is located in Bradenton, FL. HIGH SCHOOL: A 2022 graduate of IMG Academy … Previously played for the Governor's Academy HS in Byfield, MA, after spending his first three seasons at his hometown Aspen HS … Also ran track and played lacrosse for the Skiers.