National Signing Day set to start Wednesday
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 @ 1:23 am
Nevada looked to fill void in defense with fast, tall recruits
For some fans, watching the Nevada football team lose to New Mexico 23-0 in the New Mexico Bowl was hard.This week could be the first step toward healing.
National Signing Day is Wednesday and the Wolf Pack appears to be looking for promising defensive players after the Wolf Pack’s 6-7 2007 season.
Recruiting Web sites such as Rivals.com and Scout.com have similar projections of players who have committed to Nevada, which are the best available resource.
However, since the NCAA prohibits coaches from talking about potential athletes there will be players not mentioned on the sites suiting up in the future.
To get an idea of who is planning on playing at Nevada, here’s a look at the commits.
Michael Ball – Running Back; Las Vegas
Ball is a bruising running back who is rated at three stars by Rivals.com and two by Scout.com. He’s the highest rated prospect.
At 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Ball has power to run up the middle and speed (4.47 forty-yard dash according to Rivals.com) to run to the outside. With Luke Lippincott in his last year, Ball could be a really good player in a few years.
According to Rivals.com, Ball carried a 3.2 grade point average last year, but some schools backed off because of an ankle injury sustained in his first game.
Mark Forrest – Defensive Line; San Jose, Calif.
Forrest is a 6-foot-7, 210-pound defensive lineman who has solid athleticism and speed that could help Nevada immediately.
Rivals.com rates him a two-star prospect, who has 22 sacks, 115 tackles, 14 hurries with 19 pass deflections in his career at Oak Grove High.
Recruiting Web sites like his special teams ability because he’s long and can quickly get to the punter.
Isaiah Frey – Defensive End; Carmichael, Calif.
Frey is a bit small at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, but Rivals.com said that Nevada likes his speed and said he might be one of the fastest recruits (4.43 40-yard time).
With the Wolf Pack losing two seniors (Paul Pratt and DeVon Walker), Frey could be a big threat.
Aaron Huck – Offensive Tackle; San Jose, Calif.
Huck already has the size to contribute at Nevada at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds.
Rivals.com didn’t rate him, but Washington State showed interest.
Jonathan Rabe – Defensive End; La Verne, Calif.
Rabe originally committed to Oregon, but as the Ducks started to back off he verbaled to Nevada after watching the Wolf Pack’s final home game against Louisiana Tech, Rivals.com said.
At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Rabe could contribute as a freshman as he runs a five-second 40-yard dash and Nevada loves fast defensive players.
Jack Reynoso – Defensive Line; Loomis, Calif.
Reynoso has nice highlights on Youtube.com as a lineman. His 6-foot-2 and 240-pound frame leaves options for him at Nevada.
Rivals.com said that he has interest from Utah, Utah State, San Jose State and had interest from Oregon and Arizona.
He has the size and speed to play linebacker at Nevada, as he played defensive line in high school and was good against the run.
Antoine Thompson – Defensive back; Reedley, Calif.
This would be a huge addition to Nevada if Thompson commits.
He could enhance the Nevada secondary with 4.3 speed and a year of junior college experience. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, he is an ideal prospect.
Rivals.com said he was recruited by Virginia Tech, North Carolina and even got interest from Nebraska.
Stephen Werner – Offensive Lineman; Tulare, Calif.
Rivals.com said that Werner had interest from Nebraska, Oregon State and Washington State. At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, it’s easy to see why there is interest.
Rivals.com said he had a good workout at a camp in Los Angeles.
Brandon Wimberly – Wide Receiver; Oregon State
Wimberly gray shirted (delayed enrollment) at Oregon State, but backed off his commitment.
Nevada showed interest and now he’s the only wide receiver prospect.
At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Wimberly has ideal size for a receiver and could compete right away.
Ahmad Wood – Defensive Back; San Pedro, Calif.
Wood is believed to have superior athleticism and Scout.com said that he ran a 4.5 40-yard dash. He played high school ball in a very competitive Los Angeles area.
Nevada struggled against the pass last year and Wood could help.
Mike Andrews; defensive lineman; Arizona Western
According to Rivals.com, Andrews rescinded his commitment to New Mexico State and chose Nevada. He was getting attention from Kansas State and Auburn.
Marlon Johnson; Defensive Back, Inglewood, Calif.
Johnson played six different positions in high school and according to Rivals.com he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash.
He also got attention from Cal, and Washington.
Jeff Nady; Defensive line, Minden, Nev.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reported Monday that Nady will sign with Nevada. Other schools interested were Colorado State,Idaho and San Jose State.
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