Rebels sign ex-Oregon DE Thor Pili

UNLV football has bolstered its defensive line with the addition of end Thor Pili, who turned in his signed national letter of intent. Pili, who chose UNLV over Utah, BYU and UTEP, originally signed with Oregon out of high school and spent two years with the Ducks before transferring to Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, in time for the 2006 season.

Pili (6-4, 280) will enroll full-time at the school later this month, go through spring practice and be a junior during the 2007 season. The 2004 graduate of Timpanogos High School in Orem, Utah, is the older brother of another incoming Rebel, grayshirt offensive lineman Tolu Pili.

"We had a need to fill at strongside defensive end and Thor is a perfect fit," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "He possesses a great mix of size, strength, speed and ability and will compete to be a starter."

Pili had 36 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss for Snow, which finished the season ranked second in the nation. The Western States Football League champions were 11-1 overall and defeated Coffeyville Community College (Kansas) in the Top of the Mountain Bowl on Dec. 2.

Pili joins running back Frank Summers and cornerback Geoffery Howard in making up UNLV’s early-signing period class.