They are mostly used for press releases touting a certain program or social media posts doing the same or talking amongst each other when predicting how capable a certain side might prove.

Folks put a lot of attention into college football recruiting rankings, of those judging how well a team has built its roster for the future.

And many believe UNLV is having quite a successful time doing so.

The Rebels’ latest class is consistently ranked among the tops in non-Power Four programs and is No. 1 in the new-look Mountain West. It has hovered between 60-65 nationally from most recruiting services.

In a time when the transfer portal rules college athletics, you can still make a difference preparing for the long term.

“I think it’s great,” UNLV coach Dan Mullen said. “It shows the interest many have in UNLV, that recruits are very interested and want to come play for us.

“The key is not where they are right now but how they develop over the next several years — to go from being a great high school player to a great college player.”

Picked first?

Mountain West media days are Wednesday and Thursday at The Palms and UNLV should challenge — along with New Mexico — for the top spot in preseason rankings to win the conference title.

The Rebels have won 30 games during the past three seasons and went 10-4 in Mullen’s first year running the program.

It opened the eyes of recruits both locally and nationally.

Four high school players from Las Vegas have already committed to UNLV for 2027.

“The (local) reception has been fantastic,” Mullen said. “You look over the last several years and the success UNLV has had and it has allowed local players to say, ‘Hey, I can stay home and compete for championships and play at an extremely high level within pristine facilities like the Fertitta Football Complex and Allegiant Stadium.

“I think all of that is a draw for local players, different than it was 5-6 years ago.”

His recruiting pitch hasn’t changed much, even with last season’s proof UNLV would continue its winning ways with Mullen in charge. It hasn’t changed from all of his coaching stops.

It goes something like this: Mullen and his staff are going to help you develop to become the best player possible. That recruits should focus on the process of development and if they do so, success usually follows. It has worked at some level pretty much everywhere Mullen has coached.

“I think players see it,” Mullen said. “They come on recruiting trips and visits and understand how we’re going to develop them. They see the success of others and the winning we’ve had on the field.

“It allows us to give that pitch to the guys. They know it has been a successful way of doing things.”

It doesn’t change no matter your location. UNLV at some level is still a noticeable brand. It might again point for many to the days of the Runnin’ Rebels under Jerry Tarkanian, but football changing into a successful story these past several years has reignited some interest.

“It still resonates,” Mullen said. “I had my UNLV hat on today and heard, ‘Go Runnin’ Rebels!’ when I was walking out of the airport in Houston. I also think the fact we have won and been successful is reviving the brand. Everyone still has a great recognition of it.”

Restaurant choices

It’s a different place for him to recruit to, Las Vegas. Different than when he was a head coach at places like Florida and Mississippi State.

Different when you see those social media posts of helicopters and other ways of entertaining those young players interested in calling Las Vegas home.

“I just think there is so much to offer kids here,” Mullen said. “One of the things we really sell is showing them the city the way it really is. What it’s about. Why it’s a great place to live. The community. Every school I have been to has something unique about it. But what we have to offer, in my opinion, gives us a great advantage.

“I’ve been so many places. I will say this: We have a couple more restaurant choices here than we did in Starkville, Mississippi.”

Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.

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