Players must earn moniker, but talent in place to do so

games last season. He chose UNLV over Fresno State, and he’s already settled in as perhaps the team’s best inline blocker.

“I really like run blocking,” said the 6-4, 240-pound Kanteman. “I like it a lot, knowing I can keep the running back safe, that they depend on me to do whatever it takes to make sure they can run the ball.”

Kanteman has bitten off some of Price’s workload in practice, as Price now doesn’t have to stay in with the offense three or four drives in a row as the only inline tight end.

That doesn’t mean the Rebels aren’t expecting a big season out of their senior. At 6-6, Price provides the biggest receiving threat and finished fourth on the team in receptions (17) and receiving yards (173) last season.

This season, coach Tony Sanchez gave him a specific goal: best the 42 catches Sanchez had as a senior at New Mexico State in 1995.

“He said, ‘I’ll beat that,’” Sanchez said. “I hope he does. I hope he crushes it.”

Price is still working on his run blocking, and Sanchez wants to see him be more consistent in practice. Price graduated in May with a degree in kinesiology and is working on medical school requirements, but the potential is there for a future in football.

“Andrew’s biggest thing is he’s a very, very talented guy who when he comes and he’s focused and he gives a physical effort, he’s a solid guy,” Sanchez said. “We challenge him all the time that you’ve got to come out and be more intense about things … He could be a guy that plays on Sundays if he could mentally lock in.”

Helping his position group earn its nickname might be a good first step.

“I think we’re getting there. We’re getting a lot better as a group, as a unit,” Holt said. “(It’s) just continuing to do what we’re doing and making plays, being strong up front.” Ben Gotz can be reached at bgotz@ reviewjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ BenSGotz