Nevada sees 29 players sign to open the early football Signing Day period
The 2020-21 football season in Nevada was to be the first season with a new defending champion in the last decade but the emergence of Covid-19 has meant no in-person classes since March. Along with the lack of in-person classes, there has been a nine month pause to all high school sporting events so far.
Although there hasn’t been actual gameplay, there were many impact 2021 prospects and 26 Nevada high school athletes participated in the first day of the December Signing Day period along with 2 junior college signee.
BYU
Ath Quentin Rice Faith Lutheran 6’1 190
A speedy athlete, Rice doesn’t bring a lot of experience but he brings raw physical skill that can help him develop into an excellent defensive back or receiver for the Cougars along with good length.
Colorado
LB Zephaniah Maea Liberty 6’1 235
Maea is a physical inside linebacker prospect that plays with great instincts and brings physical maturity. The Buffs are strong at going into next season at inside linebacker but Maea will be a player to watch out for over the next few seasons.
Colorado State
QB Evan Olaes Legacy 6’0 205
WR Gerick Robinson Centennial 5’10 175
The Rams grabbed two skilled offensive playmakers in Olaes and Robinson.
Olaes is a dual threat passer that accumulated 4314 yards of offense as a junior along with 40 touchdowns while the team also gained a well rounded receiver in Robinson.
Fresno State
LB Charlotin Charles Bishop Gorman 6’0 200
Rov Malik Brooks Desert Pines 6’2 195
In Charles and Brooks, the Bulldogs locked in two athletic defensive prospects that add speed and versatility to the fold. Both players have the physical upside to transition to either linebacker or safety in the future.
Nevada
QB Drew Scolari Bishop Manogue 6’2 170
DL Dion Washington Shadow Ridge 6’3 265
Scolari and Washington are both great additions to the Wolf Pack program.
Scolari enters a Wolf Pack program with a young group of passer and Washington should be a great fit within the Nevada defensive line.
Oregon
TE Maliki Matavao Liberty 6’6 240
One of the top tight end prospects in the nation, Matavao is a complete tight end with the size and speed to be an elite threat as a pass catcher.
San Diego State
LB Zyrus Fiaseu Liberty 6’0 220
LB DJ Herman Bishop Gorman 6’2 225
Two explosive and physical defenders, Fiaseu and Herman are highly competitive players that play with energy on the football field.
UCLA
OC Benjamin Roy Liberty 6’3 285
A center that plays with great balance and leverage, Roy will be looking to develop into an anchor for the Bruins.
North Texas
DT Fatafehi Vailea Desert Pines 6’2 290
An interior run stuffer, Vailea will be looking to enter the defensive tackle rotation for the Mean Green.
USC
WR Michael Jackson Desert Pines 6’0 200
A skilled pass catcher on the edge, Jackson adds talent to the Trojan receiving core and will be looking to develop into a break out player in the program.
Marshall
OL Will Bonkavich Ventura College (Green Valley) 6’4 295
Developing into a all-conference player at the junior college level, Bonkavich is expected to make an immediate impact for the Thundering Herd.
Michigan State
LB Ma’a Gaoteote Bishop Gorman 6’1 230
A smart and athletic linebacker that know how to compete, Gaoteote should be a great fit within the Spartan defense.
San Jose State
OT Fernando Carmona Las Vegas HS 6’5 240
A high school tight end, Carmona is an athletic player that Spartans view as a future standout on the edge at tackle.
UNLV
WR Aaron Holloway Legacy 5’11 180
A dominant prep receiver with great speed, Holloway will look to develop into a dominant playmaker in the UNLV offense.
Utah
S Darrien Stewart Desert Pines 6’2 190
A great athlete with great range in the secondary, Stewart is a player that will be looking to emerge in the Ute secondary
Washington State
S Jaden Hicks Bishop Gorman 6’2 195
A ball hawking safety, Hicks can be an immediate impact player in the secondary that will be a freshman to watch.
Air Force
DB Devin Ramirez Arbor View 5'11 185
Ramirez is a well rounded defensive back that should develop into a great addition to the Aggie defensive backfield.
FCS
Montana
QB Daniel Britt Liberty 5’11 187
Britt emerged from a talented group of passers to guide Liberty to a state title over Bishop Gorman completing 77% of his passes while accounting for 2926-yards 34-touchdowns and just one interception. He is a great fit with the Grizzlies program and will be a player to watch.
Montana State
DE/LB Hunter Parsons Spanish Springs 6’4 215
Parson is a very talented defender that can get after the passer and has great physical upside.
Jackson State
DT Braezhon Ross Desert Pines 6'2 266
A well rounded and athletic defensive tackle prospect, Ross could be a steal for Jackson State and should develop into a highly productive player.
Sacramento State
RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver Reed 6’1 190
Tolliver averaged nearly 11-yards per carry as a junior as a large framed runner with plenty of speed.
Southern Utah
DT Tafao Amataga Bishop Gorman 6’1 265
An active interior defensive lineman, Amatage is a steady player on the interior that can be an early contributor for the Thunderbirds.
University of St Thomas
QB Brandon Smith Cimarron-Memorial 6’3 175
A very speedy and athletic quarterback with great raw arm talent, Smith will be looking to emerge as a star passer for a St Thomas program moving for the D3 level to the FCS.
Northern Colorado
DT Germaine Carmena Coffeyville JC (Canyon Springs) 6'6 350
LB Keyvon Lakes San Diego State (Canyon Springs) 6'2 235
Two instant impact defenders. Carmena and Lakes will reunite on the Bears defense with the ability to be highly productive on the football field.