Wednesday’s early National Signing Day saw 19 players with Nevada ties sign with college football programs including three from junior college programs.
Seven Gaels Sign
Bishop Gorman was well represented with seven athletes that have suited up for the Gaels landing with programs. Washington wide receiver signee Rome Odunze has the best chance among the Gaels signees to make an immediate impact as an outstanding sprinter with great football skills.
Quarterbacks Micah Bowens (Penn State) and Donovan Smith (Texas Tech) will be the most interesting duo to watch. Both players being outstanding athletes, Bowen won the job as starter leading into their junior season going on to pass for 4,926 yards with 52 touchdowns the next two seasons with one Nevada title. Bowens added 1516 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing.
Smith shifted to wide receiver as a junior hauling in 49 passes for 806 yards and 8 tds that season. Having committed to Texas Tech that off-season, he moved on to struggling program Frenship High School in Texas for his senior season to shift back to the quarterback position. Smith made in immediate impact getting the team to seven wins this season while producing 3114-yards and 26 touchdowns as a passer. He also added 489-yards and 14 scores as a rusher.
As two players moving on to high profile programs, they will be a duo to compare as they both strive to move into position to lead their respective programs.
Others in the Pac-12
Nevada all-time sack leader Gabriel Lopez (Washington State) and defensive play-maker Jackson Laduke (Oregon) will be looking to make a mark in the Pac 12. Both players will likely begin their with a redshirt but they have that skill and physical upside to emerge as very productive player over the course of their career.
Mountain West look
The San Diego State Aztecs walked away with one time USC commit Joey Wright and former Nevada commit Vai Kaho on Signing Day. Both players standing out at Bishop Manogue who took back-to-back Northern Nevada Titles, Wright is a versatile offensive lineman that can be a star tackle in the future while Kaho is an athlete that can develop at safety or linebacker.
Kaho is the younger brother of Alabama linebacker Brandon Kaho.
The Air Force Falcons signed two outstanding defensive athletes in Toa Tai and Lincoln Tuioti. Both players can develop at linebacker or the defensive secondary with high energy motors.
San Jose State signee Jay Kakiva was a major sleeper in high school at Green Valley and is a large framed athlete with impressive speed. He should have the opportunity to rise as a force in the trenches.
Big Sky Talent
Idaho signee Tommy McCormick and Montana State signee Peyton Thornton had high productive high school careers. Both are capable of making an early offensive impact for as skilled player that can produce big plays.
NAU’s trio of Nevada signees will be looking to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball with defensive tackles Tremaine Savea and A.J. Maluia both capable of competing for spots in the defensive rotation.
Here is a look at Nevada’s early signees:
Air Force Academy
LB Halatoa Tai Liberty 6’1 200
S Lincoln Tuioti Bishop Gorman 6’1 200
Idaho
WR Tommy McCormick Churchill County 5’11 185
Montana State
TE Peyton Thornton Faith Lutheran 6’3 230
Northern Arizona
DT Tremaine Savea East Los Angeles CC (Desert Pines) 6’1 290
DT Alofaletauia Maluia Liberty 6’2 260
LB Bryan Certain Bishop Gorman 5’10 210
Northwestern
DT Jordan Butler IMG Academy [FL] (Desert Pines) 6’2 310
Oregon
LB Jackson Laduke Spanish Springs 6’3 215
Penn State
QB Micah Bowens Bishop Gorman 5’11 190
San Diego State
OL Joey Wright Bishop Manogue 6’5 300
LB Vai Kaho Bishop Manogue 6’1 205
San Jose State
DT Jay Kakiva Fresno City CC (Green Valley HS) 6’5 325
Stephen F Austin
OL P.J. Braun Butte CC (North Valleys HS) 6’5 300
Utah State
DE Dahlin Mesake Bishop Gorman 6’3 230
Washington
WR Rome Odunze Bishop Gorman 6’3 205
Washington State
DE Gabriel Lopez Desert Pines 6'3 235
Senior year transfers
Colorado State
LB Bam Amina Mililani HS [HI] (Bishop Gorman HS) 5’11 208
Texas Tech
QB Donovan Smith Frenship HS [TX} (Bishop Gorman HS) 6’3 190
