Jay Norvell and his Nevada players will enjoy the Arizona Bowl, but does anybody really care?
RENO — Second-year Nevada football coach Jay Norvell announced the signing of 17 players to National Letters of Intent on the opening day of the early signing period on Wednesday. Combined with four grayshirts — student-athletes who signed last year and who will enroll at Nevada next month — the class consists of 21 players for the Wolf Pack
Here’s a brief bio on the players signed by Nevada:
Logan Arnold
Defensive Line
6-3, 265, Fr.
Yuba City, Calif. (Yuba City HS)
@loganarnold80
QUICK HITS: Two-time all-league selection who was the Capitol Valley Conference Lineman of the Year in 2018 as a senior. Multi-sport athlete who also played or lettered in basketball, baseball, wrestling and track and field.
Blake Baughman
Offensive Line
6-5, 260, Fr.
Auburn, Calif. (Placer HS)
@Blake64_B
QUICK HITS: Two-time all-league pick who was part of two league championship teams in high school. As a junior, helped Placer to league, section and regional titles.
Javasia Brunson
Defensive Line
6-3, 240, Fr.
Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin HS)
@Jbrunso5
QUICK HITS: Two-time first-team all-district selection. Had recruiting interest from Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Texas, Memphis and SMU.
Avery Carrington
Defensive Back
6-2, 195, Fr.
Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler HS)
@Carrington_111
QUICK HITS: Led Chandler to back-to-back state-championship teams as a junior and senior as the school was ranked in the top 5 in 2017 and top 20 in 2018. Two-time all-region pick who led the team in tackles and interceptions as a junior.
Kieran Clark
Defensive Back
6-0, 190, Fr.
Surprise, Ariz. (Centennial HS)
@kingkieran19
QUICK HITS: Led Centennial to back-to-back state-championship teams as a junior and senior as the school was ranked in the top 5 in 2017 and top 20 in 2018. Chose Nevada over recruiting interest from a number of Pac-12 and Mountain West schools. All-state selection as a senior. Lettered all four years in football and track and field.
JaVanz Dornners
Linebacker
6-3, 220, Fr.
Oakland, Calif. (McClymonds HS)
@javanz22
QUICK HITS: Had offers from more than half of the Mountain West.
Breylon Garcia
Defensive Line
6-3, 235, Fr.
Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin HS)
@GarciaBreylon
QUICK HITS: First-team all-district selection at Lufkin. His father played football at Arkansas
Jayce Godley
Defensive Back
6-0, 195, Fr.
Arlington, Texas (Martin HS)
@Kvng__Jayce
QUICK HITS: Three-year letterwinner who was part of three straight district championships. Recorded nearly 200 tackles and was responsible for 11 turnovers in his prep career.
Henry Ikahihifo
Tight End
6-2, 255, Fr.
Lancaster, Calif. (Paraclete HS)
@henry_ikahihifo
QUICK HITS: Full name is Henry Michael Jordan Ikahihifo.
Austin Kirksey
Quarterback
6-3, 205, Fr.
Marietta, Ga. (Walton HS)
@kirksey_austin
QUICK HITS: Two-time first-team all-region selection who threw for nearly 5,000 yards and 54 career touchdowns in high school. Had recruiting interest from Tennessee, Texas A&M, Pitt, Minnesota, Missouri and Kentucky, among others.
Justin Lockhart
Wide Receiver
6-3, 185, Fr.
Los Angeles, Calif. (Serra HS)
@JustinLockhart_
QUICK HITS: As a senior, caught 52 passes for 862 yards and eight touchdowns. Part of a city championship team as a sophomore in 2016 and was an all-league selection as a junior.
Tristan Nichols
Defensive Line
6-4, 300, Jr.
Kihei, Hawai`i (Arizona Western)
QUICK HITS: Originally from Maui, transferred to play football and basketball at St. Louis School in Honolulu as a senior … Chose Nevada over offers from Oregon State, Hawai`i and New Mexico, among others … Played 10 games in 2017, recording 23 tackles with two sacks and five tackles for loss.
Trey Price
Offensive Line
6-5, 285, So.
Woodland, Calif. (American River Col.)
@PriceTrey_
QUICK HITS: First-team all-conference and all-league selection as a freshman at American River. At Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, was part of two league championship teams and was a two-time All-Metro pick.
Ryan Smith
Tight End
6-7, 255, Fr.
Granite Bay, Calif. (Granite Bay HS)
@rsmittyy_
QUICK HITS: As a senior in 2017, caught 27 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns; Signed previously and will enroll in January, 2019.
Cam Stephens
Defensive Back
5-11, 170, Fr.
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Cajon (HS)
@_CamStephens
QUICK HITS: Four-year letterwinner who first a first-team all-league selection as a junior and senior. Picked Nevada over recruiting interest from Nebraksa, Arizona, Florida and Colorado State, among others.
Melquan Stovall
Wide Receiver
5-9, 185, Fr.
Palmdale, Calif. (Serra HS)
@StovallMelquan
QUICK HITS: Three-year starter in high school. Helped Paraclete High School to a pair of division championships before moving on to Junipero Serra High School. Has two older brothers who played college football, including Melquise Stovall, who competes at Hawai`i.
Cole Watts
Offensive Line
6-8, 285, Fr.
Orem, Utah (Orem HS)
QUICK HITS: Was a first-team all-region and first-team all-state selection for Orem HS ... Led his team to the 2017 Utah state championship ... Two-sport athlete who also played basketball for the Tigers; Signed previously and will enroll in January, 2019
Zac Welch
Offensive Line
6-5, 290, Fr.
Eldorado Hills, Calif. (Oak Ridge HS)
@bigburlyzac
QUICK HITS: Ranked as the No. 10 player in the region by the Sacramento Bee and the No. 2 offensive lineman in his section. Honors student who started 31 of 38 games in high school, leading Oak Ridge to a 29-9 record in that span.
Kacee Williams
Defensive Back
6-2, 180, Fr.
Keller, Texas (Keller Central HS)
@KaceeOlay
QUICK HITS: First-team all-district as a cornerback. Recorded five interceptions and 14 pass breakups over the past two seasons at Keller Central.
Jalen Williams
Linebacker
6-3, 195, Fr.
Phoenix, Ariz. (Shadow Mountain HS)
@Jaywill_6
QUICK HITS: Multi-sport athlete who lettered in football, basketball, baseball and soccer in high school. Had offers from a number of Pac-12 and Mountain West schools. Starred two ways in high school, at wide receiver and linebacker.
Patrick Willis
Defensive Back
6-1, 190, Fr.
Los Angeles, Calif. Crenshaw HS)
@pdwill7
QUICK HITS: Led Crenshaw High School to 2017 Class 4-AA state championship in California; Signed previously and will enroll in January, 2019.