RENO, Nev. – Nevada Football announced Monday the additions of defensive back Caine Savage (Buena Park, Calif. / Utah / Western HS) and offensive lineman Jason Rodriguez (Oak Hills, Calif. / USC / Oak Hills HS).
Savage comes to Reno following three seasons (2020-22) at Utah, where he made 10 tackles (seven solo) over 26 games for the Utes. Last season, Savage made six tackles, recovered a fumble in Utah's 35-7 win over San Diego State.
As a prep, Savage was a three-star recruit out of Western High School, where he was twice selected to the All-CIF and All-Orange County First Teams, and named CIF Division 11 Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2018. As a senior in 2019, Savage picked off five passes, returning one for a touchdown, and made 17 tackles on defense, while racking up 2,040 all-purpose yards that included 1,464 receiving on 96 receptions, with 14 for touchdowns. He also ran for 338 yards, and two of his three kick returns went for scores.
In 2018, he made 87 tackles and intercepted eight passes, taking one for a score, and broke up 26 more passes. On the other side of the line, Savage compiled 2,664 all-purpose yards, including 2,103 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns on 124 catches, all three of those latter figures setting Orange County single-season records. His performance helped Western capture the CIF Division 11 title. This all followed a sophomore season in which he intercepted two passes, and made 65 catches for 1,055 yards and nine touchdowns.
Rodriguez spent the past four seasons (2019-22), appearing in five games, at USC prior to his signing with Nevada.
Rodriguez appeared in four games as a true freshman in 2019, allowing him to utilize his redshirt. After appearing in one contest in 2020, he did not see action over the following two seasons prior to joining the Wolf Pack.
As a prep, Rodriguez was named to the 2018 PrepStar Dream Team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, USA Today All-California first team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Medium Schools first team, All-CIF Division 4, San Bernardino Sun/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin All-Area First Team and All-Mojave River League First Team as a senior offensive and defensive tackle at Oak Hills (Calif.) High School.
As a junior in 2017, he was named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Juniors Second Team, All-CIF Division 3, San Bernardino Sun-Inland Valley Daily Bulletin All-Area and All-Mojave River League First Team.
Nevada opens the 2023 campaign Saturday, Sept. 2, at USC, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks.
