RENO, Nev. – The University of Nevada football team unveiled its 24-player 2010 recruiting class at a press conference Wednesday afternoon at Legacy Hall.
The class consists of 13 offensive players and 11 on the defensive side of the ball with a focus on the trenches as half of the class is either offensive or defensive linemen.
“This may turn out to be one of our best Signing Day classes,” Nevada coach Chris Ault said. “There was a premium on the defensive and offensive lines. I believe some of these new freshmen signees have a chance of being in the depth right away.”
The class was heavy on high school products but also has a pair of junior college transfers in wide receiver Rishard Matthews (Bakersfield JC) and defensive lineman Willie Faataualofa (Delta JC). There are three freshmen transfers (three years of eligibility) in defensive back Dean Faddis (Palomar College), defensive lineman Devon Rosa (Glendale JC) and tight end Jeremiah Green (College of Sequoias). Green is the younger brother of Wolf Pack tight end Virgil Green. The remaining 19 players come from the high school ranks.
"We expect Willie to compete right away,” Ault said. “There is some nice skill between the defensive backs and wide receivers with Rishard and Faddis leading those respective groups. But I expect the freshman to be right on their tails.”
The class includes one quarterback in Cody Fajardo from Servite High School in Southern California.
“Cody threw for nearly 2,500 yards and ran for 1,200 yards and I believe he is a great fit for the Pistol,” Ault said. “I like everything that he stands for.”
Nevada signed three local products in linebacker Luke Arciniegra (Spanish Springs HS) and offensive linemen Kyle Roberts (Reed) and Connor Talbott (Bishop Manogue HS).
“All three of those local guys have a real chance of developing into outstanding players and I’m pleased to have them in Silver and Blue,” Ault said.
2010 University of Nevada Football Signees Name Pos. Ht Wt. Exp. City, State (Last School)
Cody Fajardo QB 6'2" 189 HS Brea, Calif. (Servite HS)
Jeremiah Green TE 6'2" 227 TR Visalia, Calif. (COS)
DeAndre Roberts TE 6'4" 244 HS Sylmar, Calif. (Sylmar HS)
Lemar Durant WR 6'2" 213 HS Vancouver, B.C., Canada (Centennial HS)
Aaron Bradley WR 6'1" 180 HS Cerritos, Calif. (Gahr HS)
Necho Beard WR 6'0" 203 HS Moreno Valley, Calif. (Rancho Verde HS)
Rishard Matthews WR 6'2" 213 JC Santa Ana, Calif. (Bakersfield JC)
Avery Poates OL 6'4" 297 HS Moreno Valley, Calif. (Rancho Verde HS)
Sabastian Tretola OL 6'4" 290 HS San Bernardino, Calif. (Cajon HS)
Mike Mitchell OL 6'4" 287 HS Santa Monica, Calif. (Crespi HS)
Kyle Roberts OL 6'6" 275 HS Sparks, Nev. (Reed HS)
Matt Galas OL 6'1" 273 HS Modesto, CA (Central Catholic)
Connor Talbott OL 6'3" 250 HS Reno, Nev. (Bishop Manogue HS)
Jordan Hanson DL 6'2" 275 HS Los Angeles, Calif. (Loyola HS)
Brock Hekking DL 6'4" 245 HS Vacaville, Calif. (Vacaville HS)
Taylor George DL 6'4" 256 HS Visalia, Calif. (Redwood HS)
Kyle Papendorf DL 6'4" 255 HS Clovis, Calif. (Buchannon HS)
Willie Faataualofa DL 6'3" 292 JC Stockton, Calif. (Delta JC)
Devon Rosa DL 6'4" 255 TR Pacoima, Calif. (Glendale JC)
Aaron Brown DB 6'0" 184 HS Corona, Calif. (Roosevelt HS)
Dean Faddis DB 6'0" 185 TR Ramona, Calif. (Palomar JC)
Charles Garrett DB 5'11" 193 HS Los Angeles, Calif. (Dorsey HS)
Evan Favors DB 6'0" 175 HS Elk Grove, Calif. (Monterey Trail HS)
Luke Arciniega LB 6'2" 220 HS Sparks, Nev. (Spanish Springs HS)
Experience key:
HS = High School, four seasons of eligibility
TR = Freshman transfer, three seasons of eligibility
JC = Junior college transfer, two seasons of eligibility
