Center Zack Singer earning trust leading Rebels’ offensive line

Ask UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez what sort of qualities he looks for in a center, and the ensuing word cloud paints a clear picture.

Experience. Consistency. Leadership. Communication. Execution. Those are the traits Sanchez rattles off when describing the ideal middle man for his offensive line. So it makes sense that with presumed starter Sid Acosta injured and expected to miss the first month of the season, Sanchez is turning to someone he trusts in the interim.

Junior Zack Singer is currently listed atop the Rebels’ depth chart at center, and it’s because Sanchez believes Singer can handle the intangible responsibilities that come with the position. That means understanding the playbook and keeping the offensive line organized at all times, something Sanchez doesn’t take for granted. Tony Sanchez, UNLV head football coach

“The toughest thing about playing a young guy there is you have to set the front,” Sanchez said. “Every time, you’re making the calls, you’re making the checks, you’re making sure you’re setting the pass protection, you’re communicating with the guards on out to the tackles. We’ve had the luxury of having (two-year starter) Will Kreitler the last two years — he was a juco guy so he was an older guy coming in, and he picked it up fast and

we never had to worry about it.”

Acosta, a junior college product, was expected to be a plug-and-play replacement this season following Kreitler’s graduation, but his knee injury put the position up for grabs in the spring. Singer looks to be the leader now, splitting time with senior J’ondray Sanders and freshman Justice Oluwaseun.

Singer was a four-year all-state performer at Bishop Gorman from 2010 to 2014, so few know his game better than Sanchez, who made his name by coaching the Gaels’ to a bucketful of state championships. After playing one season at Kent State, Singer transferred to UNLV and reunited with his old coach, and he has spent the last two years immersing himself in the Rebels’ offensive system.

Now less than a month from the season opener, Singer is being counted on to lead the Rebels’ offensive line and provide support for redshirt freshman quarterback Armani Rogers.

Singer is embracing his opportunity.

“I feel really comfortable with the offense,” Singer said after practice Tuesday. “I’ve been here for two, two-anda-half years now. I’ve played guard, I’ve played center, so I have a good grip on the offense, and that helps sometimes when Armani maybe doesn’t know what to do, or

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