UNLV football recruiting: Rebels haul in three verbal commits, one transfer

UNLV brought in eight recruits this past weekend and three verbally committed to play for the Rebels. Four of those eight were already committed prior to the visit, so head coach Tony Sanchez was able to secure three of the four who were interested in UNLV.

Landing local athletes has been a top priority for the new staff, and Sanchez delivered by earning a verbal commitment from offensive lineman Justin Polu who attended Silverado High School in Henderson, Nevada. The three-star guard chose UNLV over Colorado State, and he is also the sixth-best prospect in the state of Nevada.

I will be taking my talents to the University of Nevada Las Vegas ! #HeyReb #GoRebs pic.twitter.com/9IRdHn6AL6

— Justin Polu ✌️ (@jaayypolu) January 18, 2015

"The tour was great," Polu told the Las Vegas Review-Journal Sunday. "I like the coaches' passion - all of them - and the desire to win. It was a great weekend. They proved to me they wanted me, and I committed."

Check out Polu's Hudl highlights.

Next up to commit to UNLV was Aldine Davis High (Houston) running back Lexington Thomas. The 5-foot-9-inch, 180-pound back's only offer came from the Rebels, but Iowa State was showing interest. While Thomas has not yet been evaluated by the recruiting services, wide receivers coach Cedric Cormier has done a great job recruiting Houston-area for UNLV and has brought in under looked players like running back Tim Cornett.

Here are Thomas' senior highlights, via Hudl.

UNLV also landed JUCO defensive end Mark Finau out of of Los Angeles Valley College. Finau is the third junior college player to sign for UNLV, and he will be able to participate in spring practices. Having played one year of junior college, he has four years to play three.

Here are Finau's Hudl highlights.

UNLV also landed a transfer this weekend too. Offensive lineman Zack Singer is transferring back home from Kent State. Singer is a former player under Sanchez at Bishop Gorman. Singer is a former three-star recruit from the 2014 class whose only offers were from Sacramento State and Kent State. UNLV was showing interest but not enough for a scholarship.

Singer saw action in nine games and had 18 tackles with one for a loss. He will have to site out one year due to NCAA transfer rules and will be eligible to play in 2016.

Check out Singer's highlights from high school. These come from Hudl.