August 6, 2012

Will Levi
NevadaPrepReport.com Publisher

With many former Nevada players rising to the occasion in college football and making an impact, another great football season is on the horizon. Here is a look at the top 12 former Nevada high school stars to watch on the football field for 2012.

1. OLB Kyle Van Noy (McQueen) BYU
Long, fast and extremely athletic; Van Noy has been a game changer for BYU logging 7 sacks along with 3 interceptions as a sophomore. Van Noy has a chance to become a high round draft choice in the near future as one of college football's elite outside linebacker measuring in at a muscular 235-pounds.

2. RB Kerwynn Williams (Valley) Utah State
Williams has been a playmaker for Utah State helping to key a return to a bowl game last season. This year he becomes the go to starter after the Aggies lost two backs to the NFL. An elite return specialist, Williams is a key pass catcher as well but he will look to push past the 1000-yard mark for the first time in his career after averaging 6.7 yards per carry as a junior.

3. WR Devonte Christopher (Canyon Springs) Utah
Christopher has been on fire since settling in at wide receiver for the Utes and had a number of major plays as a junior. With over 1300-yards in the last two seasons, Christopher goes into his senior year with a better situation at the quarterback position and a very good chance of earning All-Pac 10 honors as one of the best at his position in the conference.

4. SS Duke Williams (Hug) Nevada
An elite track athlete in high school, Williams has developed into a great college safety entering his senior year with an opportunity to make for a huge senior season. With 190 career tackles, Williams is the key returning star for a Nevada team that should be a major contender to win the Mountain West Championship.

5. CB Torin Harris (Palo Verde) USC
Harris was on fire before being knocked out for the season in game 4 last season. He had two game finishing plays as a sophomore and will have every opportunity to get back to the level of play he displayed last season. A tall player with blazing speed, Harris should be one of the best player of a legit national championship contender.

6. ILB Damien Proby (Cheyenne) Northwestern
Proby forced his way into the starting lineup as a sophomore for the Wildcats and this year he is seen as one of the key defensive standouts. A speedy player with great upper body strength, Proby should improve in every category as a junior and should develop into one of the elite linebacker in the Big 10.

7. RB Reggie Bullock (Las Vegas) East Carolina
Bullock earned Junior College All-American honors and started to hit his stride before being injured last season with 523 total yards with 4 scores. Bullock moves into a bigger role as a senior and should be eying a 1000-yard rushing season.

8. OT Jeff Nady (Douglas) Nevada
One of the top linemen in the WAC, Nady is an athlete with the frame and experience to develop into an elite player at his position as a senior. Part of "The Union", he is a key to Nevada's hopes of being a title contender this year and the leader of the offensive line.

9. WR Marcus Sullivan (Cheyenne) UNLV
Sullivan lacks the career numbers of the other players on this list but every indication says he will turn his blazing speed and elite open field skills into a monster sophomore year. Sullivan averaged nearly 28 yards a kick return as a true freshman and has added 30 pounds of muscle to his frame in two years.

10. TE Xavier Grimble (Bishop Gorman) USC
Grimble shares the tight end position with another elite player he came up with his share of big plays for the Trojans as a freshman. Now more experienced with one of college football elite quarterbacks passing the ball, Grimble has a great chance at putting up even better numbers as a sophomore.

11. CB Sidney Hodge (Palo Verde) UNLV
A two year starter and the other side of the Panthers outstanding cornerback duo with Torin Harris, Hodge is a defensive star for the Rebels breaking up 8 passes as a sophomore. Stronger, Hodge is the key player in the Rebel secondary and should earn All-MWC honors as a junior.

12. DT Tim Wilkinson (Bishop Gorman) Northern Arizona
Undersized coming out of high school, Wilkinson is a two year starter for the Lumberjacks and an anchor on the defense. Logging 30 tackles as a sophomore, Wilkinson is poised for a monster junior season.

Other Key Players to Watch

OLB Keenan Graham (Silverado) UCLA, ILB Darius Hogans (Cimarron) South Dakota, DE Alexander Lavoy (McQueen) New Mexico St, DT Tyler Gaston (Rancho) UNLV, OG Cameron Jefferson (Desert Oasis) UNLV, OG Jake Broyles (Foothill) Boise State, WR Garic Wharton (Valley) Arizona, OG Jeremiah Tofaeono (Cheyenne) Utah, CB David Sperry (Faith Lutheran) Navy, TE Michael LaGrone (McQueen) Idaho, CB Ladale Jackson (Silverado) Utah State

Nevada NFL Football Players

RB Steven Jackson (St Louis Rams) Eldorado
RB DeMarco Murray (Dallas Cowboys) Bishop Gorman

WR Juron Criner (Oakland Raiders) Canyon Springs
WR Phillip Payne (San Diego Chargers/UFA) Western

OT Dan Knapp (Oakland Raiders/UFA) Reno

OG Harvey Dahl (St Louis Rams) Churchill County

DT Billy Winn (Cleveland Browns) Las Vegas
DT Lawrence Guy (Green Bay Packers) Western
DT Michael Cosgrove (Detroit Lions/UFA) Desert Pines

ILB Ben Jacobs (Cleveland Browns) Silverado
ILB Josh Mauga (New York Jets) Churchill County
ILB Paul Vassallo (Arizona Cardinals/UFA) Bishop Manogue

OLB Brandon Marshall (Jacksonville Jaguars) Cimarron
OLB Stevenson Sylvester (Pittsburg Steelers) Valley
OLB Korey Toomer (Seattle Seahawks) Shadow Ridge

CB Chris Carr (Minnesota Vikings) McQueen

S Josh Barrett (New England) Reno
S D.J. Campbell (Carolina Panthers) Cheyenne