RENO, Nev. The University of Nevada football team unveiled its 2008 recruiting class on Wednesday during a press conference in the Hall of Fame room inside Legacy Hall. Including mid-year transfers and a pair of freshmen who were put on scholarship, the class is made up of 22 players.
“In terms of speed and skill, this is as good of a class that we have recruited,” said head coach Chris Ault, who is entering his 24th season at Nevada. “The focus was on defense, in particular the skill positions in the secondary. We signed 13 players on the defensive side of the ball and I believe we filled our needs.”
The ground work for this year’s class was laid a year ago as Ault personally visited more than 75 high schools on the West Coast to help identify potential recruits.
“The staff did a great job during spring recruiting last year,” Ault said. “The majority of this class is made up of players we identified last spring and had recruited through the duration of the past year. Our efforts last year paid dividends today, especially in Southern California.”
Of the 18 high school players, 16 hail from California. The other players are from Nevada. Of the four junior college players, three played at California schools and the fourth played in Arizona. The 21-member class includes players from seven states: Nevada, California, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Virginia.
Recruiting coordinator Jim Mastro said the process was extremely competitive this year.
“We continue to raise our expectations in recruiting,” Mastro said. “We are spending more time competing against BCS schools, the Pac-10 in particular. This year, we had some needs that were clearly the priority and I believe we filled those needs.”
Nevada signed 13 defensive players, including six players for the secondary. The Wolf Pack added five players to the defensive front and a pair of linebackers. On offense, the class includes four offensive linemen, a wide receiver, a running back and a tight end. The class includes two players who are listed as athletes.
“There are several players in this class who will come in as freshman and be competitive right away,” Ault said. “The junior college transfers will no doubt contribute immediately.”
Nevada will begin spring practice on Friday, Feb. 29. The annual Silver and Blue spring scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday, March 22 at Mackay Stadium. The Wolf Pack will open the 2008 season on Aug. 30 against Grambling State at Mackay Stadium. The team is coming off its three straight seasons with a bowl appearance.
High School Signees
(listed by position)
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. - Exp Hometown (High School)
*Brandon Wimberly WR 6-3 195 Fr. -HS Los Angeles, Calif. (Gardena HS)
Michael Ball RB 5-10 225 Fr. -HS Las Vegas, Nevada (Desert Pines HS)
*Zack Sudfeld TE 6-7 230 Fr. -Nevada Modesto Calif. (Madesto Christian HS)
Christian Barker OL 6-4 315 Fr. -HS Fontana, Calif. (Estiwanda HS)
Aaron Huck OL 6-3 295 Fr. -HS San Jose, Calif. (Oak Grove HS)
Jeff Nady OL 6-7 255 Fr.-HS Minden, Nev. (Douglas HS)
Steve Werner OL 6-5 310 Fr. -HS Tulare, Calif. (Tulare West HS)
*Albert Rosette LB 6-2 225 Fr. -HS Concord, Calif. (De La Sal HS)
*Brett Roy LB 6-4 240 Fr. -Nevada Yucaipa, Calif. (Yucaipa HS)
Mark Forrest DE 6-7 210 Fr. -HS San Jose, Calif. (Oak Grove HS)
Jon Rabe DT 6-5 285 Fr. -HS Upland, Calif. (Damian HS)
*Mark Avery DT 6-4 270 Fr. -HS Stockton, Calif. (Amos Alonzo Stagg HS)
Jack Reynoso DT 6-3 260 Fr. -HS Loomis, Calif. (Del Oro HS)
Thaddeus Brown DB 5-11 177 Fr. -HS Pasadena, Calif. (Notre Dame HS)
Isaiah Frey DB 6-0 190 Fr. -HS Olivehurst, Calif. (Jesuit HS)
Khalid Wooten DB 6-0 195 Fr. -HS Rialto, Calif. (Carter HS)
Marlon Johnson Saf 5-11 185 Fr. -HS Ingelwood, Calif. (Ingelwood HS)
Ahmad Wood Ath 5-11 185 Fr. -HS San Pedro, Calif. (San Pedro HS)
Junior College Signees
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. - Exp Hometown (School)
Michael Andrews DT 6-3 275 So.-JC Kailua, Hawaii (Arizona Western College)
Antoine Thompson DB 6-1 195 Jr.-JC Norfolk, Va. (Reedley College)
Dayton Guillory Ath 6-0 180 Jr.-JC Bossier City, La. (Yuba CC)
Maurice Harvey Saf 6-4 215 Jr.-JC Titusville, Fla. (Reedley College)
* Already enrolled
