Kori Babineaux, left, with older brother Brandon.

Brandon Babineaux is one of four talented freshman wide receivers who will be reporting to their first fall camp at UNLV next week. But the rangy 6-foot-3, 190-pounder from Folsom (Calif.) High School was busy playing cheerleader this past weekend.

That’s because his younger brother, Kori, was in town starring for the Nor-Cal Pharaohs in the Reebok Summer Championships basketball tournament.

Kori Babineaux is regarded as one of the top 75 prospects in the Class of 2011 after earning All Star honors at the prestigious Reebok All-American Camp in Philadelphia earlier this month, one of just 11 juniors-to-be to receive that honor.

Schools like Stanford, Cal, LSU and Oregon State are among those already heavily recruiting Kori Babineaux. Count UNLV, which had assistant coaches Mike Shepherd and Greg Grensing both on hand at the game I attended Saturday afternoon at Coronado High School, as also being in the mix.

Seems the Babineaux family took in UNLV’s impressive 79-62 victory over Arizona at the Thomas & Mack Center last December during Brandon’s recruiting trip and came away very impressed with Lon Kruger’s program.

“My brother is always telling me fun facts about the basketball team … trying to persuade me (to attend UNLV),” Kori Babineaux said with a smile shortly after pumping in four second half 3-pointers in a 81-54 win over 707’s Finest. “It’s too early to say right now where I’m going to go to college but UNLV is definitely up there on my list.”

Kori Babineaux, who also plays wide receiver for the Folsom football team, is already 6-foot-3 and weighs 198 solid pounds. In the game I watched he appeared to be an excellent catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter with good basketball instincts, especially when it came to passing the ball. He’s also young (15-years-old) for a junior.

“He sees the floor really well,” Nor-Cal Pharaohs coach Jason Barton, who played college basketball at Chico State, said. “He’s a great point guard with the ability to score. He can get to the hole, is a great defender, is very long and has a great body. He can play point guard or two-guard, whatever we need. He’s also a good student and a great kid from a great family.”

Kori Babineaux said that the fact his brother Brandon is already a Rebel is a plus for UNLV when it comes to his recruiting. Another brother, Chase, is a wide receiver at American River College in Sacramento who also is eyeing UNLV, so it’s possible there could three Babineaux’s on campus one day.

“I’m hearing from a lot of Pac-10 schools basically but UNLV would definitely be great because I would be able to hang out with my brother some more,” Kori said. “UNLV would be a good fit. … I might be a Rebel in the future. (Brandon) going there probably helps out in that regard.”

Stay tuned.

UNLV hopes of landing one of the nation’s top shooting wings at the recruiting buzzer came to an end on Thursday.

Noel Johnson (6-7, 200) of Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, Ga., rated the nation’s No. 56 prospect for the Class of 2009 by Scout.com, will decide Friday night between Clemson and LSU according to his father Lynbert “Cheese” Johnson.

Noel Johnson originally signed a letter of intent to attend USC but later was granted his release in the wake of the O.J. Mayo recruiting firestorm that resulted in Trojan head coach Tim Floyd’s resignation. He visited UNLV on the weekend of June 5th-7th.

Johnson returned from an unofficial trip to Clemson on Thursday.

“It went really well,” his father told CUTigers.com. “It really did. Noel is down to two schools right now, Clemson and LSU. We spent a long time with (Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell) and that all went good.”

Johnson averaged 28 points and nine rebounds as a senior.

UNLV head football coach Mike Sanford had a lot to be happy about following Friday night’s Spring Game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

First, the Rebels completed their 15 spring practices without suffering any major injuries. Second, sophomore quarterback Mike Clausen showed he’ll be more than a capable backup to starter Omar Clayton after garnering unofficial scrimmage MVP honors by completing 10 of 14 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns against the No. 2 defense.

And the secondary, the area of biggest concern heading into next season, had its share of highlights with junior college corners Kenny Brown and Warren Zeigler both more than holding their own against Phillip Payne and company.

But perhaps the biggest news came off the field.

Well over 30 recruits, including most of the top prospects in southern Nevada, attended the game. And two out of state prospects were so impressed that they gave verbal commitments to the Rebels before departing.

First up was linebacker Austin Arias (6-0, 215) of Peoria (Ariz.) Centennial High School, one of the top prospects in Arizona in 2010. Arias, a teammate of incoming Rebel linebacker recruit Reggie Umuolo, had 110 tackles as a junior for the state 5A-2 champion Coyotes and was named the Desert West Region’s Defensive Player of the Year.

The big surprise, however, was the commitment from defensive tackle Quentin Jones (6-0, 306, 5.24) of Northland High in Columbus, Ohio.

The honorable mention all-state performer who had 63 tackles and six sacks as a junior said he had been receiving recruiting interest from a number of SEC and Big Ten schools but was so impressed with UNLV that he decided to commit Friday night.

“I came out here this weekend and liked what I’ve seen,” Jones said. “I’ve already been on unofficial trips to Kentucky, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan. UNLV was the first school to offer and a lot of the other schools said the (scholarship) offers would be coming in the mail. (But) UNLV took a chance on me first so I made a commitment here.”

Verbal commitments are non-binding but Jones said his pledge is a solid one … even if the hometown Buckeyes were to come calling.

“No sir, this is solid,” Jones said.

Basketball recruitaholics will note that Jones is from the same high school, Columbus Northland, as the nation’s No. 1 junior basketball prospect, power forward Jared Sullinger (6-9, 245). Sullinger has already committed to Ohio State.

UNLV picked up its 16th football commitment today when safety Alex DeGiacomo (6-1, 190) of El Camino College in Torrance pledged the Rebels.

DeGiacomo visited UNLV last weekend and took in UNLV’s exciting basketball victory over Arizona. He is a mid-year transfer so he will enroll in January and be able to take part in spring practice which begins on March 9.

Wide receiver Brandon Babineaux (6-4, 190) of Folsom (Calif.) High School committed to UNLV this morning.

Babineaux is the 15th commitment for Mike Sanford this year. He had 34 catches for 558 yards and nine TDs while earning first team all-Delta League honors this year. He also stars in basketball for Folsom.

Babineaux’s younger brother, Kori (6-3, 175), is regarded as one of the top five sophomore basketball prospects in California. It obviously didn’t hurt Lon Kruger and company in that regard that Brandon and his father attended the Runnin’ Rebels impressive 79-64 victory over Arizona on Saturday.

UNLV, which already has 14 commitments/signings so far this recruiting year, will entertain three more prospects this weekend. The lucky trio will get some nice seats at the Runnin’ Rebel-Arizona basketball game as part of their trip.

Normally, that might not mean a whole lot to a football recruit by Folsom (Calif.) High School wide receiver Brandon Babineaux (6-4, 190) is also a good prep basketball player. He also is the older brother of one of the top guard prospects in California for the Class of 2011, Kori Babineaux (6-3, 175).

UNLV has already offered Brandon, who had 34 receptions for 558 yards and nine touchdowns while earning first team all-Delta River League honors. And according to the Sacramento Bee on Thursday, he has already committed to the Rebels. Time will tell whether Lon Kruger and company decide to offer little brother Kori.

Also visiting this weekend are two juco players from El Camino College in Torrance, Calif: DB Alex DeGiacomo (6-1, 190) and offensive guard Sean Enesi (6-0, 288), who prepped at LA City power Carson High.

Don’t lee Enesi’s size fool you. A writer for USC’s Scout.com site two years ago was so impressed with Enesi’s play at a USC Camp that he compared him to former Trojan DL star Mike Patterson, now a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Enesi has grown a little since then. At that time he was listed at just 5-11.

UNLV defensive end recruit B.J. Bell (6-4, 245), younger brother of Rebel linebackers Beau and Zach Bell, was recently named to the prestigious J.C. Gridwire All-American first team.

Bell, who took an official recruiting visit to UNLV earlier this month, had 63 tackles, including 23 for loss, and nine sacks as a sophomore at Santa Ana College. He would likely challenge for a starting defensive end spot if he signs with the Rebels on Feb. 4.

Bell has been offered by UNLV, Kansas, Marshall and San Diego State. Boise State and Oregon are among the other schools that have shown interest.

UNLV just announced officially the signings of junior college corners Kenny Brown (listed at 6-0 instead of 5-9 as we saw on several recruiting sites) from College of the Canyons, the younger brother of former BYU’s all-time leading rusher, RB Curtis Brown, and Warren Zeigler (6-1, 180) of College of San Mateo (Calif.).

If Brown is indeed now 6-foot, nice to get two big corners for spring ball. Brown also has 4 years to play 3 after qualifying out of high school.

Here are Mike Sanford’s official quotes from UNLV’s release:

“Kenny Brown is a great competitor and a leader from a winning junior college football team,” Sanford said. “He will be a great addition to our football program.”

On Zeigler:

“Warren Zeigler is an excellent man-to-man coverage defender who was a very strong prospect coming out of high school and has improved greatly playing in junior college,” said Sanford. “We’re looking forward to him being a Rebel in 2009.”

Spring ball starts March 9. Can’t wait to see the two newbies.

Citing a desire to “play on the big stage,” City College of San Francisco safety Jarrell Harrison today announced that he has decided to attend Missouri over UNLV.

Harrison, a former prep quarterback at Palo Verde High School, had signed with Mike Sanford’s Rebels out of high school but failed to qualify academically. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder eventually switched to safety in junior college where he was rated one of the best on the West Coast.

Harrison, appearing via phone on the ‘Talkin’ Sports With RT’ radio show on Fox Sports 920, said the fact the Tigers “are always on TV and play in a big-time conference” played a big role in his decision. He also said a big factor was the fact Missouri landed a commitment from friend and CCSF teammate, MLB Josh Tatum (6-0, 240), last week.

Tatum originally signed with USC out of Oakland’s McClymonds High School.

Anybody who listen to City College of San Francisco safety Jarrell Harrison’s interview on “Talkin’ Sports with RT” had to leave feeling good about UNLV’s chances of landing the coveted junior college safety. Very good.

When asked if he was ready to make his official college announcement, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Harrison replied: “I’m not ready. I’ve got more thinking to do.”

Harrison said he will decide between UNLV and Missouri after eliminating Arizona and North Carolina State (too far from home). But he did admit he’s leaning toward the Rebels.

“I’m leaning toward coming home,” Harrison said. “It’s my hometown. I love it here. My family could come see me play. I’ll probably have a big cheering section at all the games. … I think I can be a positive influence here.”

Harrison also reportedly is not a fan of cold weather, something he’d encounter often in Columbia, Mo. To that end, today’s snow fall at his prep alma mater, Palo Verde High School, wasn’t a plus for UNLV.

Harrison seemed to also mention a lot more negatives about Mizzou (Chase Daniel and possibly stud WR Jeremy Macklin gone, tough competition in Big 12 South, etc.). He made it clear he wants to go to a school that he know that he can start at.

“I only have two years (of eligibilty) left),” he said.

Harrison said he could make a decision as soon as tonight … although it sounded like he had already made one.

The letter of intent signing period for junior college players begins on Wednesday.

On Fox Sports 920 between 2 to 3 p.m. Guess he told RT it’s down to UNLV and Missouri. Always a chance he could announce. You never know.

Among those attending today’s game at the Orleans Arena is recent LB commit Horace Miller, who is seated near midcourt with head coach Mike Sanford and DL coach Andre Patterson. Miller came in a day later than other recruits for his official visit so that he could take the SAT on Saturday morning. Miller’s Baltimore Dunbar teammate, DB Courney Bridget, also committed earlier to UNLV.

It was another good weekend for UNLV football coach Mike Sanford who landed verbal commitments from two more key defensive back recruits, CB/S Courtney Bridget (6-3, 190) of Maryland 1-A champ Baltimore Dunbar and safety John Therrell (6-2, 180) of Bishop Gorman.

City College of San Francisco safety Jarrell Harrison also visited and could decide as soon as Monday. The four-star junior college recruit, who prepped at Palo Verde High School, also is looking at North Carolina State.

One of the six players scheduled to visit UNLV this weekend is a very familiar one to local prep football fans. Jarrell Harrison (6-2, 210), one of the nation’s top junior college safety prospects from juco powerhouse City College of San Francisco, was the star quarterback for Palo Verde High School in 2004 and was the Southern Nevada Offensive Player of the Year.

UNLV head coach Mike Sanford successfully recruited Harrison to play quarterback for the Rebels in his first recruiting class but Harrison failed to qualify academically after failing to meet minimum NCAA entrance eligibility requirements. He eventually attended junior college and has two years of eligibility remaining. Better yet, he’s a mid-year transfer who could take part in spring practice.

UNLV will be Harrison’s fourth and likely final visit. He has already taken trips to Missouri, Arizona and North Carolina State and also is being recruited by Arizona State. He is expected to chose between the Rebels and N.C. State.

Harrison would be help fill one of UNLV’s biggest holes at safety. The Rebels ranked 111th nationally in pass efficiency defense with problems at safety playing a big part of that.

Meanwhile, UNLV piccked up its 12th commitment today when Cheyenne HS RB/WR Marcus Sullivan (5-9, 165), the Sunset Division Offensive Player of the Year, pledged the Rebels. Sullivan is similar to current Rebel wingback/returner Michael Johnson but a step quicker. He was timed at 21.1 in the 200 meters as a junior and 10.6 in the 100 meters. He rushed for 1,400 yards as a senior after an injury-plagued junior campaign and averaged over 33 yards per reception. He’s considered to be a potential game-breaker for Sanford’s Shotgun Spread offense.

It’s been a good week for UNLV head football coach Mike Sanford. First he gets word that he will be receiving a three-year extension that will take him through the 2012 season. Then he received verbal commitments from a couple of much-needed blue chip defensive prospects.

Nathan Holloway (6-foot-3, 320), a defensive lineman from Spring Valley High School who had schools from the Pac-10 Conference as well as Texas interested in his college services, committed to the Rebels after a weekend visit. Ditto Horace Miller (6-1, 210), a linebacker from Dunbar High in Baltimore who recently set a state record for quarterback sacks with 30 while helping lead the Poets to their third straight state 1-A title.

Miller is among six recruits scheduled to visit UNLV this weekend. He is bringing along another heavily recruited teammate, defensive back Courtney Bridget (6-3, 190).

The Rebels have 11 verbal commitments so far with just five more to give. Besides Miller and Holloway, UNLV has picked up verbals from JC corners Warren Ziegler (6-1, 190) of College of San Mateo (a mid-year enrollee) and Mike Grant of Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif., center Doug Zismann (6-2, 275) from Shadow Mountain High in Phoenix, wide receiver Mark Barefield (6-2, 180) of North Mesquite High in Mesquite, Tx., defensive back Charles Childers from Bishop Gorman, offensive lineman Andrew Mack (6-2, 290) of Plano, Tx., Plano West High, linebacker Reggie Umuolo (5-11, 195) of Peoria, Az., Centennial and two blue chip offensive recruits, RB Bradley Randle (5-10, 195) of Vista Murrieta HS in Murrieta, Ca., and quarterback Caleb Herring (6-4, 180) of Citrus Hill HS in Perris, Ca.

Herring, who committed to UNLV last summer, has remained strong to his commitment despite pressure from Pac-10 and Mountain West schools to re-open his recruiting. That’s good news for Sanford and company. One scout I spoke with thinks he has the potential to be even better than current UNLV starter Omar Clayton.