Football Flashback: The Nevada 2009 Class

With football recruiting and rankings, it's a difficult science that can be affected by many unforeseen changes on and off the field. You never know what collegiate opportunities will be open to you and you have to take advantage of what available.

Nevada's 2009 class was the most athletic overall class to take the field in the state following up an outstanding 2008 class. The 2009 class were the most active group during spring evaluation season seeing many get the opportunity, to compete in college sports.

Here's a breakdown of the players featured in the class.

1. DE Justin Chaisson Bishop Gorman (Oklahoma)-After a strong scout team showing during his redshirt year, Chaisson decided to walkway for the game of football after arriving as one of the nation's elite at his position.

2. DE Keenan Graham Silverado (UCLA)-Graham had an very effective career with the Bruins but could never quite break into the starting lineup though he contributed every year as a key player off the bench. His 5 sacks as a senior was a career best as a pass rush specialist off the bench.

3. CB Torin Harris Palo Verde (USC)-Harris proved to be a valuable member of the Trojan defense becoming a starter as a sophomore but injuries limited his time on the field during his career. One of the team's leaders in pass breakup as a senior, Harris was injury free for the first time in his career.

4. OLB Kyle Van Noy McQueen (BYU)-A tremendous athlete, Van Noy had the best college football career of any player in his class as an all-around force for the Cougar defense logging 26 sacks with 7 interceptions during his career with an amazing amount of game changing plays.

Bouncing back from adversity to begin his career, he is a lock to be drafted early rounds into the NFL.

5. ILB Damien Proby Cheyenne (Northwestern)-A three year starter, Proby ranked second in the Big 10 in tackles as a senior logging 304 career tackles. A tackling force as a senior, he saw no drop off in production in college and became a team captain as a senior.

Younger brother Diamante Luna is among the top Nevada athletes in the 2014 class.

6. OC Karrington Armstrong McQueen (Oregon)-Armstrong never broke into the Ducks starting lineup but he was a key contributor off the bench the last two season's off the bench as the team's strongest player on the front line.

7. WR Dijon Holman Rancho (Santa Monica CC)-After a year of football at the junior college level, Holman walked away for the game of football.

8. OLB Liloa Nobriga Palo Verde (Colorado)-After a great sophomore season for the Buffalos, Nobriga had a off-season that forced him to leave the game of football.

9. RB Reggie Bullock Western/Las Vegas (East Corolina)-After leading the nation in rushing at Arizona Western, Bullock spent two years with the Pirates as a key playmaker and part-time starter totalling 968 yards and 10 scores from scrimmage.

10. S Duke Williams (Hug)-A current member of the Buffalo Bills, Williams emerged as a three year starter at Nevada logging 292 career tackles logging 4 picks in his career before being drafted in the fourth round.

11. OG Jake Broyles Foothill (Boise State)-Earned the starting nod three years in a row for the Broncos but injuries kept him off the field much of his career.

Chaz Thomas Palo Verde (Minnesota-Duluth)-Landing with one of the nation's elite D2 programs, Thomas made a move up into the lineup as a freshman but had difficulties with injuries during his career keeping him off the field. He had his healthiest season as a senior averaging over 5-yards per carry. Rushed for 356 career yard but sat out two season's due to injury.

13. DT Nate Holloway Spring Valley (UNLV)-After stepping in as an immediate impact player as a freshman, Holloway had trouble staying eligible. Currently, Holloway is signed on to play indoor football with the Colorado Ice.

14. WR Marcus Sullivan Cheyenne (UNLV)-After struggling to get eligible early as a grayshirt, Sullivan has emerged as a star for the Rebels as a kick returner and pass catcher. With over 1100-career yards receiving, Sullivan is poised for a huge year as a senior next season as one of the speediest players in the Mountain West.

15. RB Akil Sharp Sierra Vista (Princeton)-Sharp contributed all four years for the Tigers but never earned the primary position at running back. He logged nearly 800-career rushing yards for the Tigers.

16. LB T.J. Alofipo Silverado (Hawaii)-A signee with Hawaii, Alofipo never made it to the islands spending two seasons at Arizona Western before discontinuing his football career.

17. CB Khyriece Campbell Cheyenne (Nevada)-Campbell had a strong start to his career as a promising redshirt freshman walk-on at Nevada but had to leave the school in the summer ending his football career.

18. S Alex Bonczyk Palo Verde (Gonzaga)-A tremendous athlete, Bonczyk choose the opportunity to pursue a baseball career spending two years on the junior college level before signing with Gonzaga where he is preparing to start his senior campaign.

19. OG Jeremiah Tofaeono Cheyenne (Utah)-A massive big man, Tofaeono contributed on the Utah line since he was a redshirt freshman but injuries cut his junior year in half. He returned to start every game as a senior for the Utes at right guard.

20. WR Courtney Gardner Hug (Oklahoma)-Academic were a major hurdle for Gardner sending him through the junior college route where he became an elite prospect signing with Oklahoma but he never made it to campus due to academics as well. He is currently an NFL free agent after being cut by the Dolphins in the summer.

21. DT Rodrick Tuisavalalo Rancho-Never signed with a college program after high school.

22. S Kevonte Clark Cheyenne-Never signed with a college program after high school.

23. DT Alex Klorman Del Sol (UNLV)-After walking on with UNLV, Klorman went on to a great career starting every game of his junior year earning the right to where the "Battle Born Jersey" as a senior helping lead the program to its first bowl game in over a decade.

24. S Mike Wadsworth Silverado (Hawaii/BYU)-Originally signing with Hawaii, stepped in to contribute right away. The next season he went on a mission returning to join BYU and is currently a sophomore on the roster. He played in all 12 games this season.

25. CB Sidney Hodge Palo Verde (UNLV)-Hodge stepped in as a three year starter for UNLV sporting the "Battle Born Jersey" as a junior. His senior season season was cut short by an injury but he logged 159 tackles and 21 pass breakups in 36 games.

Others that keyed the class

26. RB Kerwynn Williams Valley (Utah State)-After a huge senior season in high school, Williams moved on to a great career with the Aggies logging 1512-yards along with 15 tds as a senior. Also an elite return specialist, he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 7th round this year and is currently on the practice squad with the San Diego Chargers.

27. QB Emir Lopez Las Vegas (Nevada)-Walked on with Nevada for a single season on a roster featuring Colin Kaepernick and David Fales. After tranfering to the junior college level, walked away from football.

28. LB/RB Aareon Smith Spring Valley (Northern Arizona/UNLV)-Played a single season at Northern Arizona before playing at the junior college level returning to UNLV as a walk on running back.

29. OG Parker Robertson Douglas (Utah State)-Walked on with Utah State spending a single season showing promise before leaving the program.

33. WR Charles Childers Bishop Gorman (UNLV)-After redshirting for UNLV, Childers played a single season before walking away from the game of football.

36. S Tyler York McQueen (Cal)-York greyshirted with the Golden Bears before injuries caused him to leave the game.

39. TE Mike LaGrone McQueen (Idaho)-A very productive player, LaGrone became a three year starter for the Vandals logging 648 yards and 5 scores in his career.

48. CB David Sperry Faith Lutheran (Navy/San Diego)-A two year starter at Navy, off-the-field issues led to a transfer to San Diego where he never played before leaving the game.

49. S Matt Holley Centennial (Southern Utah)-An immediate impact player for the Thunderbirds, Holley returned from a mission to shift to linebacker where he was outstanding this season as junior with 110 tackles with 2 sacks and interception.

50. LB Prince Oroke Legacy (Colorado School of Mines/UNLV)-Spent two year at CSM before transferring home spending the last two year contributing on special teams.

NR. OG Steven Haunga Spring Valley-After traveling the junior college route, Haunga became a two year starter for Arkansas State earning All-Conference honors

NR. DT Jaime Clavell-Head Bishop Manogue (Texas State)-Despite being slender along the line, developed an amazing 560lb bench logging 77 tackles with 4 sacks and 3 picks with the Bobcats where his father also played. A four year contributor.

NR. OT Cody Burgess Lincoln County (Southern Utah)-A two year starter for the Thunderbirds earning All-Big Sky honors as a senior this season. Filled in his frame to become a key driveing forces to one of the best Thunderbird teams ever.

NR. TE Stephen Jeffers Bishop Manogue (Nevada)-Joined Nevada as a walk-on developing into a strong blocker along the front line playing a key role in the offense as a senior.

NR. WR Joe Huber Bishop Gorman (Nevada)-A speedy quarterback, Huber developed into a special teams standout and back-up wide receiver after walking on with the Wolf Pack.

NR. S John Therell Bishop Gorman (UNLV)-Spent career at UNLV as a special teams player.

NR. RB Nate Lytle Bishop Manogue (Nevada)-Spent four years at Nevada as a walk-on earning his first playing time as a senior rushing for 52-yards.