Nevada postseason: Top 2017 Class Linebacker Prospects
The Nevada 2017 Class has great depth at linebacker with several player holding offers heading into January. This class should have a huge impact with their perspective programs and here is a breakdown of some of the key players to watch:
OLB Tony Fields Desert Pines 6’2 200
73 tackles 3 sack 1 int
Career: 203 tackles 6 sacks 4 int
Speedy with outstanding range and the the ability to deliver strike as a tackler, Fields has outstanding skill at the linebacker position. He can lock in as a man-to-man defender in space and also has the instincts rushing the passer to deliver game changing plays.
Already enrolled at the University of Arizona for the spring, Fields will have a great shot at bulking up to compete for playing time right away.
OLB Tyler Thornton Palo Verde 6’5 220
62 tackles 2 sacks 1 int
Career: 111 tackles 3 sacks 3 int
A long player, Thornton bring outstanding speed and physicality at the linebacker position along with great change of direction. He show explosion off the snap with the ability to disrupt in the backfield along with outstanding hands in coverage.
Navy and Idaho offered Thornton early, he is a player with huge upside as a linebacker, defensive end or tight end in college.
LB Cruz Littlefield Las Vegas HS 6’0 215
109 tackles 3 sacks 3 int
Career: 278 tackles 6 sacks 3 int
A high energy linebacker, Littlefield is a force versus the run that makes plays sideline-to-sideline while also showing well as a pass defender. With outstanding instincts, he has the ability to produce game breaking plays and is an excellent tackler in space.
An LDS member, Littlefield lacks a huge offer list but he is a pure football player that will be in the mix early wherever he lands.
ILB Farrell Hester Bishop Gorman 6’0 235
66 tackles 2 sacks
Career: 226 tackles 6 sacks 2 int
The Gaels run stuffer, Hester is a head hunter at inside linebacker that has good range and the ability to shed blocks to locate the ball in traffic. A disciplined player, he doesn’t waste steps and reads plays quickly showing the instincts to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
A UNLV commit, Hester fills a need in this class and will be ready to make an early impact with the Rebels.
LB Jautae Collins Desert Pines 6’0 220
74 tackles 2 sacks
Career: 234 tackles 11 sacks
Collins produced during an outstanding high school career showing impressive athletic skills and instincts from his interior linebacker position. A strong pass rusher, he plays with great awareness versus the pass and is a strong open field tackler.
With good versatility, Collins has a D2 option and should see more looks over the month of January with the ability to play at the FBS level.
ILB Jordan Walker Silverado 6’2 220
53 tackles 6 sacks 1 int
A transfer from Hawaii, Walker made his senior year count as a heavy hitter in the middle with impressive instincts versus the run for the Skyhawks. With good speed, he has the ability to track down the ball carrier and does great job getting pressure as a pass rusher.
Holding three FBS offers and two from the FCS level, Walker will have the opportunity to continue to develop into a star in the future.
LB Wulfe Retzlaff Truckee 6’1 210
135 tackles 3 sacks 1 int
Career: 372 tackles 9 sacks 3 int
Retzlaff has been one of the most productive linebackers in the NIAA during his career as a three year starter as the heart of Truckee’s defense leading the program back to a winning record as a senior.
With great instincts and good speed, Retzlaff plays with a great motor producing a a sure tackler. He is a strong hitter that can slip blocks to get after the passer as well as make plays in space. With good quickness and strong hands, he is a player that should gain more looks in January.
OLB/S Pekelo Solomon Silverado 6’0 200
52 tackles 16 sacks 3 int
No one produced as many big plays as Solomon displaying quick feet and strong hands off the edge. He brings great energy on defense and plays each down like his last. With very good speed, he has the ability to make plays in pursuit and the ability to be a playmaker in space as a strong safety as well.
Solomon entered the season as a sleeper despite being the younger brother of Anu Solomon, he should see his options open up in January as he finds a future home to continue his career.
ILB C.J Araujo Green Valley 5’11 215
99 tackles 2 sacks
Career: 262 tackles 6 sacks 1 int
A great form tackler, Araujo has had outstanding production with great physicality at the point of attack. He is a great player versus the run that tracks the ball well and has good speed in pursuit along with the strength to take on blocks.
With options to consider, Araujo will also be continuing his career in college.
LB Reagan Roberson Douglas 6’1 240
46 tackles
Career: 201 tackles 2 sacks
Roberson produced as a physical player at the point of attack that can stack versus the run and locate the football. He is a good player in space with good athletic skill along with the ability to deliver big hits. A rural Nevadan, Roberson is a player that has good skill and the ability to be an impact player at the FCS or D2 level.
LB Archie McArthur Las Vegas 6’2 225
23 tackles 3 sacks
Career: 64 tackles 4 sacks
McArthur had a promising senior season cut short but he is a very well built player with the speed and explosiveness to be a future star in college. He has the ability to shed blocks and locate the ball with the speed to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
A short season may keep him off the list of player on Signing Day but he has a high upside for the future.