Melvin Laster brings downhill tackling and playmaking upside to UNLV's linebacker room
Laster is a physical, contact-first linebacker whose calling card has long been production near the football: at Liberty North, he stacked tackles, sacks, tackles for loss, takeaways, and even a defensive touchdown, and UNLV listed him at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds with game action in 2024. He stands out for his downhill trigger, willingness to hit, and proven knack for disrupting plays rather than just cleaning them up. For a team, that makes him appealing as an energetic, high-motor defender with measurable impact potential and a track record of being a defensive anchor rather than a passenger.
