UNLV REBELS

William Vea

37

Class: Sophomore Hometown: Alamo, NV High School: Pahranagat Valley HS

Height / Weight: 6-0 / 230 Position: FB Experience: 1L

UNLV: A mature but inexperienced linebacker out of Alamo, NV, which is located approximately 100 miles north of Las Vegas ... Originally signed with the Rebels in February 2007 before serving a two-year church mission to Kingston, Jamaica ... Listed No. 2 at the WLB spot after his first spring practice ... Voted UNLV's 2010 Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year ... Last name is pronounced "VAY-ah."

2010: Redshirted season after rejoining squad.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2007 graduate of Pahranagat HS, which competes in eight-man football ... A four-year letterwinner who starred at both linebacker and running back for coach Ken Higbee ... The 2006 Small School Player of the Year according to Nevada Sports Report was ranked the No. 15 recruit in the state by Rivals ... Helped the Panthers win two straight 1A state championships with a 24-game winning streak ... Named Southern League Co-Defensive MVP and first team all-league as a RB ... Earned First Team All-Southern League honors as both a RB and LB his junior year ... Also has lettered in both basketball and baseball.

PERSONAL: William Sione Vea was born on Oct. 22, 1988, in Pago Pago, American Samoa ... The son of Taliasi and Kome Vea ... Brother, George Vea, lettered as a true freshman for UNLV playing on special teams in 2006 ... Chose UNLV over interest from Boise State, UNR, Fresno State and Utah State ... Has not declared a major.