A look at the schools that are overlooked by the ESPNs of the world.


Friday, July 6, 2012

Fall Preview: Nevada

Fall Preview for the Nevada Wolfpack:

QB
#17 Cody Fajardo 6-2 205 Quarterback SO Brea, Calif. (Servite HS)--10 games played, 8 starts. Projected starter.  128 carries for 694 yards and 11 TD. 150-218 passing for 1707 yards and 6 TD.
#14 Tanner Roderick 6-2 190 Quarterback RS FR Bozeman, Mont. (Bozeman HS)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd string.
#13 Devin Combs 6-2 235 Quarterback SO Modesto, Calif. (Modesto JC)--3rd string. 1 game played. No stats in 2011..
#?? Hasaan Henderson QB 6-4 210 Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Tyler Stewart QB 6-3 205 Chatsworth, CA Sierra Canyon Fr.--Incoming freshman.

After only starting 8 games in 2011 as a freshman, Cody Fajardo looks to take the starting quarterback spot by force and improve on his totals from last fall. IN 2011 Fajardo threw for 1707 yards and added 694 on the ground for the Wolfpack. Redshirt freshman Tanner Roderick and sophomore Devin Combs look to battle for the backup job with Combs only making a cameo experience last fall but making no stats. Henderson and Stewart should both be redshirted and be set up to be the quarterbacks of the future.

RB (4 way battle for starter)
#25 Stefphon Jefferson 5-11 200 Running Back JR Visalia, Calif. (El Diamante HS)--13 games played, 2 starts. 70 carries for 429 yards and 5 TD. 7 catches for 48 yards. 1 tackle.
#32 Nick Hale 5-10 210 Running Back SR Valencia, Calif. (College of the Canyons)--12 games played, 1 start. 24 carries for 105 yards. 4 catches for 34 yards. 4 tackles.
#31 Tony Knight 6-1 225 Running Back RS FR Groton, Mass. (Lawrence Academy)--Redshirted in 2011.
#45 Kendall Brock 5-9 195 Running Back SO Fresno, Calif. (Clovis West HS)--9 games played, 1 start. 13 carries for 101 yards. 3 catches for 24 yards and 1 TD. 28 kickoff returns for 21.6 yard average. 5 tackles.
#39 Nathan Lytle 5-9 190 Running Back SO Reno, Nev. (Bishop Manogue HS)--3 games played.
#?? Chris Soloman RB 6-0 185 West Covina, CA West Covina Fr.--Incoming freshman.

Playing time is completely up for grabs for Nevada as junior Stefphon Jefferson (429 yards), senior Nick Hale (105 yards), redshirt freshman Tony Knight, and sophomore Kendall Brock (101 yards) are all in a 4-way battle for the starting job and should all be in a rotation of sorts for carries. This should be a huge battle for the Wolfpack and how it turns out could go a long way in determining how the Nevada offense goes in 2012.

TE
#44 Zach Sudfeld 6-7 250 Tight End SR Modesto, Calif. (Modesto Christian)--Projected starter. 1 game played, 1 start. 1 catch for 3 yards.
#86 Kolby Arendse 6-3 240 Tight End JR Burlington, Wash. (Mt. San Antonio College)--13 games played, 11 starts. 2nd string. 26 catches for 340 yards and 2 TD. 1 tackle.
#88 Randy Horton 6-4 260 Tight End SO Simi Valley, Calif. (College of the Canyons)--2 games played.
#89 Stephen Jeffers 6-3 255 Tight End JR Lake Tahoe, Calif. (Bishop Manogue HS)--12 games played, 1 start. 2 catches for 22 yards. 1 kickoff return for 9 yards.

In a surprising move, the Nevada coaching staff moved senior tight end Zach Sudfeld ahead of 2011 starter Kolby Arendse. Sudfeld only made 1 start in 2011 and had 1 catch for 3 yards. Arendse made 26 catches for 340 yards as the starter and will have a big chance to overtake Sudfeld for his starting spot. Horton and Jeffers will also battle for playing time but it will be limited behind the top 2 tight ends.

WR
#83 Joseph Huber 5-9 180 Wide Receiver JR Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS)--4 games played. Projected starter.
#81 Aaron Bradley 6-1 180 Wide Receiver SO Stevenson Ranch, Calif. (Gahr HS)--10 games played, 6 starts. Projected starter. 3 carries for 14 yards. 28 catches for 336 yards and 3 TD. 3 tackles.
#04 Brandon Wimberly 6-3 210 Wide Receiver SR Los Angeles, Calif. (Gardena HS)--Projected starter. No stats in 2011.
#84 Parker Vail 6-2 220 Wide Receiver SO Del Mar, Calif. (Maryland)--2 games played. 2nd string.
#87 Necho Beard 6-0 205 Wide Receiver SO Moreno Valley, Calif. (Rancho Verde HS)--8 games played. 2nd string. 1 catch for 4 yards.
#80 Dominic Coulter 6-1 215 Wide Receiver RS FR Tustin, Calif. (Tustin HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#24 Chance Early 6-0 175 Wide Receiver RS FR San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#26 Nick Palko 6-1 205 Wide Receiver RS FR Reno, Nev. (North Valleys HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#85 Austin Rauh 5-8 175 Wide Reciever RS FR Sparks, Nev. (Spanish Springs High School)--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Travis Gardner WR 6-1 185 Chula Vista, CA Eastlake Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Jarred Gipson WR 6-1 215 Houston, TX Cy-Creek Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Cody Tuttle WR 6-3 215 Westlake Village, CA Westlake Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Randy Uzoma WR 6-2 205Canoga Park, CA Canoga Park Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Nigel Westbrooks WR 6-2 190 San Marcos, CA Palomar C.C. --JUCO transfer.

The Wolfpack have an extremely inexperienced wide receiver corps with only 2 returners having any catches last fall. Sophomore Aaron Bradley made 28 catches as a freshman last fall dwarfing the accomplishments of the other receivers and forcing him into a leadership role as a sophomore. Flanking Bradley are junior Joseph Huber and senior Brandon Wimberly. The Wolfpack have 4 redshirted freshmen, 4 true freshmen, and a JUCO transfer all ready to step in and make some big plays this fall.

OL
#75 Chris Barker 6-4 305 Offensive Guard SR Fontana, Calif. (Etiwanda HS)--Projected starter at guard. 13 games played, 13 starts.
#70 Joel Bitonio 6-4 300 Offensive Tackle JR Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Wilson HS)--Projected starter at tackle.  13 games played, 12 starts.
#65 Matt Galas 6-1 275 Center SO Modesto, Calif. (Central Catholic HS)--Projected starter at center. 2 games played.
#78 Jeff Nady 6-7 290 Offensive Tackle SR Minden, Nev. (Douglas HS)--Projected starter at tackle. 13 games played, 13 starts.
#77 Alex Pinto 6-3 300 Offensive Guard SR Wheatland, Calif. (Wheatland HS)--Projected starter at guard. 13 games played. 1 tackle.
#76 Mike Mitchell 6-4 285 Offensive Tackle SO Santa Monica, Calif. (Crespi HS)--Backup tackle. 2 games played.
#59 Kyle Papendorf 6-4 270 Offensive Guard SO Clovis, Calif. (Buchanan HS)--Backup guard. No stats in 2011.
#66 Kyle Roberts 6-6 280 Offensive Tackle SO Sparks, Nev. (Reed HS)--Backup tackle. 2 games played.
#57 Connor Talbott 6-3 270 Center RS FR Reno, Nev. (Bishop Manogue HS)--Redshirted in 2011. Backup center. 1 game played.
#73 Sebastian Tretola 6-5 305 Offensive Guard RS FR Cajon, Calif. (Cajon HS)--Redshirted in 2011. Backup guard.
#?? Abe Abdelkarim OL 6-6 310 Allen, TX Allen Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Charles Faraimo OL 6-3 270 Sacramento, CA Grant Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Aisea Hansen OL 6-4 315 Fontana, CA Kaiser Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#62 Zach Brickell 6-3 270 Offensive Line RS FR Fallbrook, Calif. (Fallbrook HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

With inexperienced players littered all over the rest of the roster, the offensive line is the exception with 4 of the five projected starters making at least 12 starts last fall. Seniors Chris Barker, Jeff Nady, and Alex Pinto all made every start last fall with Barker making ever start in his career after being redshirted his freshman year. Junior Joel Bitonio made 12 starts last fall at tackle with sophomore Matt Galas only playing in two games at center in 2011 but ready to make the jump to full time starter in 2012. The reserves are not that experienced but barring injury, they will not be needed very much with the great offensive line the Wolfpack brings back.

DL
#53 Brock Hekking 6-4 245 Defensive End SO Vacaville, Calif. (Vacaville HS)--Starter at defensive end. 11 games played. 7 tackles.
#09 Jake Peppard 6-3 255 Defensive End JR La Habra, Calif. (Cerritos College)--Starter at defensive end. No stats in 2011.
#92 Jordan Hanson 6-2 275 Defensive Line SO Los Angeles, Calif. (Loyola HS)--Starter at defensive tackle. 6 games played.
#98 Jack Reynoso 6-3 275 Defensive Line JR Loomis, Calif. (Del Oro HS)--Starter at defensive tackle. 8 games played, 7 starts. 24 tackles, 4 for loss. 2 sacks.
#90 Tyler Houk 6-4 255 Defensive End SO Exeter, Calif. (College of the Sequoias)--Backup defensive end. No stats in 211.
#94 Lenny Jones 6-3 240 Defensive End RS FR San Leandro, Calif. (San Leandro HS)--Redshirted in 2011. Backup defensive end.
#97 Mark Avery 6-4 270 Defensive Line SR Stockton, Calif. (Amos Alonzo Stagg HS)--1 game played. Backup defensive tackle.
#72 David Jamieson 6-4 240 Defensive Line JR Reno, Nev. (Reno HS)--No stats in 2011.
#55 Rykeem Yates 6-2 270 Defensive Line RS FR Fresno, Calif. (Edison HS)--Redshirted in 2011. Backup defensive tackle.
#96 Lopisoni Mailei 6-1 190 Devensine Line RS FR Ewa Beach, Hawai'i (Campbell High School)--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Brian Guendling DE 6-4 215 Poway, CA Poway Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Shane Pennix DE 6-3 250 El Cajon, CA Grossmont C.C.--JUCO transfer.
#?? Cortez Woods DT 6-3 260 Sacramento, CA American River C.C.--JUCO transfer.

In the 4-3 defense of Nevada, a very deep and experienced defensive line is essential to the success of the defense in general. In 2012, that is not the case as the returning starters have a combined 31 tackles last fall and no reserves making any tackles. Defensive tackle Jack Reynoso made 24 of the line's returning 31 tackles in only 8 games played as a sophomore. Sophomore Brock Hekking made the other 7 tackles in limited action at defensive end. Peppard and Hanson look to be the other starters but will be pushed by Houk, Jones, Avery, Jamieson, Yates, Mailei and the incoming players to the program.

LB
#51 Albert Rosette 6-2 245 MLB SR Antioch, Calif. (De La Salle HS)--Starting MLB. 13 games played, 12 starts. 33 tackles, 4.5 for loss. 2 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd.
#42 DeAndre Boughton 6-1 215 WLB SR Fresno, Calif. (Fresno City College)--Starting WLB. No stats in 2011.
#54 Jeremiah Green 6-2 230 SLB SR Tulare, Calif. (College of the Sequoias)--Starting SLB. 13 games played, 13 starts. 49 tackles, 2 for loss. 3 interceptions, 7 pbu, 10 pd. 1 defensive touchdown.
#26 Dray Bell 6-2 225 WLB SR Los Angeles, Calif. (El Camino College)--Backup WLB. 10 games played. 16 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 pd.
#58 Burton De Koning 6-2 220 SLB RS FR Folsom, Calif. (Folsom HS)--Redshirted in 2011. Backup SLB.
#35 Lorenzo Devers 6-0 235 Linebacker RS FR Orange, Calif. (Orange Lutheran HS)--Redshirted in 2011. 1 game played.
#49 Jordan Dobrich 6-2 215 MLB RS FR Magalia, Calif. (Paradise HS)--Redshirted in 2011. Backup MLB.
#99 Sam Foster 6-4 260 Linebacker JR Esparto, Calif. (Esparto HS)--Backup defensive end. 9 games played, 1 start. 8 tackles, 0.5 for loss. 0.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd.
#36 Bryan Lane 6-4 210 Linebacker RS FR Sacramento, Calif. (Christian Brothers Academy)--Redshirted in 2011.
#50 Jonathan McNeal 6-1 230 Linebacker SO Los Angeles, Calif. (Santa Monica CC)--No stats in 2011.
#45 Trevor Taft 6-2 210 Linebacker RS FR San Ramon, Calif. (California HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Alex Bertrando LB 6-3 215Loomis, CA Del Oro Fr.--Incoming freshman.
#?? Xavier Stephens LB 6-2 220 Tulare, CA Tulare Union Fr.--Incoming freshman.

The Wolfpack have 2 linebackers out of 3 with game experience last fall led by senior Jeremiah Green who made 49 tackles and 3 interceptions as a junior. Fellow senior Albert Rosette made 33 tackles from his middle linebacker spot with 2 sacks. Weak side linebacker DeAndre Boughton did not play in 2011 but will be forced to step up and make some plays this fall. bell (16 tackles), De Koning, Devers, Dobrich, Foster (8 tackles) and others will put the pressure on the starters for playing time.

DB
#22 Thaddeus Brown 5-11 180 CB SR Pasadena, Calif. (Notre Dame HS)--Starting cornerback. 13 games played. 22 tackles. 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#20 Duke Williams 6-1 190 SS SR Reno, Nev. (Hug HS)--Starter at strong safety. 13 games played, 13 starts. 83 tackles, 4.5 for loss. 1 interception, 6 pbu, 7 pd, 1 fumble recovery. 9 kickoff returns for 20.7 yard average.
#08 Marlon Johnson 5-11 190 FS SR Los Angeles, Calif. (Inglewood HS)--Starter at free safety. 12 games played, 9 starts. 54 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 interception, 2 pbu, 3 pd, 1 fumble recovery. 1 defensive touchdown.
#02 Khalid Wooten 6-0 195 CB SR Rialto, Calif. (Carter HS)--Starting cornerback. 13 games played, 13 starts. 73 tackles, 1 for loss. 4 interceptions, 5 pbu, 9 pd, 3 forced fumbles.
#24 Charles Garrett 5-11 190 FS SO Los Angeles, Calif. (Dorsey HS)--Backup free safety. 5 games played, 4 starts.18  tackles. 1 pbu, 1 pd.
#34 Tyler Thompson 6-2 205 SS SR Shafter, Calif. (Bakersfield JC)--Backup strong safety. 13 games played. 16 tackles.
#19 Evan Favors 6-0 175 Defensive Back SO Elk Grove, Calif. (Monterey Trail HS)--10 games played. 10 tackles. 1 kickoff return for 9 yards.
#?? Markus Smith CB 6-2 190 Riverside, CA Riverside C.C. --JUCO transfer. Backup cornerback.
#43 Gabe Lee 6-0 190 Defensive Back SO Duvall, Wash. (O'Dea HS)--12 games played.
#36 Aaron Brown 6-0 185 Defensive Back SO Corona, Calif. (Roosevelt HS)--No stats in 2011.
#38 Greg Elliott 6-0 175 Defensive Back RS FR San Marcos, Calif. (Army Navy Academy)--Redshirted in 2011.
#04 Bryson Keeton 6-2 190 Defensive Back RS FR Bakersfield, Calif. (Ridgeview HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Nigel Haikins DB 5-11 190 Pleasant Hill, CA Diablo Valley C.C.--JUCO transfer.
#?? Marquis Newell DB 6-0 175 Fr. Sarasota, FL Riverview--Incoming freshman.
#?? Jerico Richardson DB 6-1 180 Fr. Mission Hills, CA Bishop Alemany--Incoming freshman.

The Wolfpack have a nice group of senior starters in the secondary led by strong safety Duke Williams who made 83 tackles and an interception. Fellow safety Marlon Johnson made 54 tackles at the free safety spot with an interception and a defensive touchdown. Corners Thaddeus Brown (22 tackles) and Khalid Wooten (73 tackles, 4 interceptions) round out the secondary that is by far the strongest part of the Wolfpack defense. Garrett, Thompson, Smith and Favors lead a young group of reserves that will be used sparingly in 2012 but are very important to the future of the program.

K
#60 Allen Hardison 6-4 190 Kicker SR Newport Beach, Calif. (UNLV)--9 games played. KOS, Starting kicker. 2 tackles. 8-11 field goals with a long of 48 yards and 2 blocked. 21-21 extra point attempts. 47 kickoffs with 1 touchback.
#40 Anthony Martinez 5-6 175 Kicker JR Reno, Nev. (McQueen HS)--3 games played. Co-Starting kicker. 3-5 fields goals with a long of 25 yards and 1 blocked. 8-9 extra point attempts.
#46 Colin Ditsworth 6-0 185 Kicker SO Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS)--5 games played. 1 tackle. 30 kickoffs with 0 touchbacks.

The Wolfpack kicking game is a 2-man battle with senior Allen Hardison and junior Anthony Martinez in a dead heat for the spot. Hardison was 8-11 with a long of 48 yards with 2 of his 3 missed being blocked. Martinez was 3-5 with a long of only 25 yards. Statistically, it would seem that Hardison would have the current advantage over Martinez but both will make kicks this fall.

P
#37 Chase Tenpenny 6-4 245 Punter JR Oskaloosa, Kan. (Fort Scott CC)--Starting punter. No stats in 2011.
#68 Logan Yunker 6-2 215 Punter RS FR Las Vegas, Nev. (Arbor View HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

With two punters on the roster with no experience, there will be yet another position battle for the Wolfpack this fall. Junior Chase Tenpenny is the current leader for the spot with redshirt freshman Logan Yunker pushing him for the starting spot.

LS
#57 Connor Talbott 6-3 270 Center/LS RS FR Reno, Nev. (Bishop Manogue HS)--Redshirted in 2011. Backup center. Starting long snapper.

While backing up the starting center spot, Connor Talbott will also do the snapping for the Wolfpack kicking game this fall. The snapping must be very good as 3 field goal attempts were blocked last fall.



2011 was a rough season by Nevada standard with a 7-6 record including a loss in the Hawaii Bowl. The Wolfpack lost 3 of their first 4 games with a tough slate that included Oregon, Boise and Texas Tech. The Wolfpack followed that with a 5 game winning streak before losing 3 of their final 4 games to end the season. 2012 sees Nevada joining the Mountain West Conference and seeing their in-conference schedule increased in difficulty. The out of conference schedule is light with a road trip versus California and a home game versus USF being the difficult games. 8-4 with a bowl berth is very likely if the Wolfpack can acclimate to the Mountain West and the younger players can step up and make some big plays this fall.

No comments:

Post a Comment