Nevada Pre-Season Top 20: 2018 Prospects
Nevada’s 2017 class is loaded and the 2018 class has several stars on top of a class that is just starting to emerge:
#1. Oblad doesn’t sit on a huge offer list but it will be a surprise if he isn’t one of the top quarterbacks in the nation as a senior. With good height, he is extremely poised and accurate from the pocket with a great leadership on the field. He has the ability to make plays with his legs when needed and shows the ability to see the entire field as a passer.
On pace to reset the Nevada record books, Oblad heads into his junior year with 5336-yards and 50-touchdowns as a passer while he completed 61% of his passes as a sophomore. He has a loaded group of pass catchers to get the ball to that should put his Patriots in place to possibly unseat Bishop Gorman as the Nevada champions
BYU, San Diego State and Colorado State are his early offers.
#2. An impact defender on the football field, Gaoteote was a force off the edge for the Gaels as a sophomore delivering big hits and plays all season long. He flashes impressive speed on the football field and outstanding instincts with a football body.
A linebacker prototype, he has offers from school all over the country
#3. The next in line at tight end for the Gaels, Jordan is a tough pass catcher that has continued adding bulk as well as offers over the course of the off-season. He has the speed to be a dangerous matchup down the with linebacker that moves very well in space. He has the physicality to play through contact to make plays and good quickness as well.
With several major offers, Jordan will be in the spotlight for the Gaels as a junior.
#4. A gifted athlete, DTR has seen his options grow quickly this off-season as the next player in line at the Gaels quarterback position with outstanding speed and a strong arm. He has limited on the field experience but he has the vision and quickness to be a dangerous runner in space. His ability to impress as a passer has caught the eye over the course of the off-season and he should see more snaps with the Gaels moving to a softer local regular season schedule this season.
#5. Being in Reno has made Jacobs an under the radar type of player but this track season has opened the door to a reevaluation of a player that could see 4-star status in the future.
A great sprinter, Jacobs has the ability to cover group in a hurry in the secondary with the aggressiveness to deliver game breaking plays versus the run. He is a very dangerous player with the ball in the air that can take a turnover to the end zone in an instant.
#6. The Gators follow up to Tyrell Crosby, Brown is a player that has been an impressive lineman since emerging as a freshman with the skill to be a force as a junior. With long arms and great bulk, he is a very good athlete on the edge with the versatility to shift inside in the future as well.
#7. A speedy and shifty back with impressive vision, Hicks is a do-it-all back with the ability to create big plays with his feet. He can pluck the ball as a pass catcher with the skill to also play wide receiver in the future. After logging 1200-yards from scrimmage with 15-scores as a sophomore, he is expected to be one of the top rushers in the state this season.
#8. Expected to be the centerpiece for the Huskies this season, Kaho can make plays on either side of the ball as a physical player on the football field. An impressive overall athlete, he should be a tone setter on the field that can should keep the Huskies defense among the best in the state.
#9. Ramsey emerged as a standout as a sophomore and he is ready to be a bonafide star as a junior. With great instincts and physical skills, he can set the tone on defense versus the run or the pass. He is a capable pass catcher that should create more turnovers with a year of physical maturity under his belt.
He enters the season without a lot of recruiting attention but expect that to change a year from now.
#10. Lack of reps on the varsity level has Plant starting the season at #10 but he has the skill set to push for elite status. With speed and burst, he has the ability to track the ball down from the opposite side of the field while possessing the bulk to stand up versus the run. He is expected to emerge as an elite pass rusher as a junior with USC already on board with an offer.
#11. Entering his third season as a starter, Faatiliga is expected to be a force for the Grizzlies as a junior with good skills as a playmaker behind the line of scrimmage. He has 85 career tackles and 5 sacks in the last two season and he could easily match those numbers this season as a junior.
#12. Emerging as a star down the stretch for the Aggies, Stubbs is more than ready to take over as the team's primary rusher. He has impressive acceleration and feet as a runner with good pass catching skills as well. He totaled 1038-yards and 13-touchdowns in a partial season as a sophomore and should more surpass those totals as a full time starter.
#13. A large framed receiver, Powell becomes a huge addition to the Patriots offense after a very impressive sophomore season with the Green Valley Gators last season. He has a great catch radius and impressive speed that allows him to be a deep threat on the edge. After logging 593-yards with 8 scores last season, he should continue to blossom as an outstanding pass catcher.
#14. Set to combine with 4-star defensive tackle Greg Rogers on the Aggie defensive line, Wade is expected to give the program an edge playmaker on defense that can track down the quarterback. Wade has a great frame that has helped him land an early BYU offer, he will be a key player to watch as a junior.
#15 Brown wasn’t a full time starter as a sophomore but he flashed speed and burst off the edge when he had the opportunity. Brown has the physical skills to be very productive with Weber State putting the first offer on the table.
#16. A transfer from Hawaii, Isaia is an excellent athlete that is expected to be a key piece along the offensive line for the Gaels as a junior. He plays with intensity and leverage on the edge that should catch the eye this season with a strong schedule.
#17. A downhill runner that attacks the hole, Carter is the leading returning rusher among the 2018 class in Nevada after producing 1161-yards and 11-scores on the ground. He added 433-yards and 7 score receiving the key the Senators to a 10-2 record. Showing power and burst, Carter will challenge for a top ranking with another big season on the football field.
#18. Thomson proved to be a defensive standout as a sophomore racking up 8-sacks off the edge. He does a good job tracking the ball and plays with leverage as a defender.
#19. A two year starter at running back, Flowers is a standout in track and has 1169-yards and 13-touchdowns so far in his career. With great speed, he should be ready to emerge as a very productive player on the field as a junior with the talent to also transition to defensive back
#20. Lappin showcased good football skill as a sophomore making plays behind the line of scrimmage and showing good pursuit skill. He has good strength and power with a non-stop motor off the edge.