2013 Nevada Spring Football Analysis

2013 Nevada Wolf Pack ... Head Coach: Brian Polian

Nevada Wolf Pack

2013 Schedule  
Not Yet Released

Why To Be Excited There might be some huge losses on both sides of the ball, but the defensive line returns intact. Unfortunately, it was one of the team’s weakest links with no push into the backfield, not enough sacks and too many problems against the run. There isn’t a ton of size, but just about everyone is back including young ends Brock Hekking and Lenny Jones, the team’s two leading pass rushers combining for 13 sacks. Offensively, quarterback Cody Fajardo is an early Mountain West Player of the Year favorite.

Why To Be Grouchy Several key parts are gone, including legendary head coach Chris Ault. Brian Polian will be more than fine taking over for the Hall of Famer, but it’s still going to be an adjustment. It doesn’t help that Stefphon Jefferson, the nation’s second-leading rusher, made the strange move of leaving early, and it’s going to hurt losing guards Chris Barker and Alex Pinto along with star tackle Jeff Nady. Leading receiver Brandon Wimberly and future NFL tight end Zach Sudfeld won’t be easily replaced. While the quality is gone on offense, the quantity is leaving on defense with corner Charles Garrett the only starter returning in the defensive back seven.

What Needs Working On The defensive interior has to be a wall. Hekking and Jones will get into the backfield and should turn into even more disruptive forces, but tackles Jack Reynoso, Jordan Hanson, Cortez Woods and Rykeem Yates need to form a tougher rotation. There isn’t a ton of bulk inside, and while it would be nice to have a 310-pound anchor, the Wolf Pack will have to make up for it steadier production a year after allowing 27 rushing scores and being eaten alive by the better guards.

Team Concerns For 2013: Even though Chris Ault has retired, the offense should still be able to crank out big yards on the ground with quarterback Cody Fajardo back. However, leading rusher Stefphon Jefferson and backup Nick Hale have to be replaced along with three starters up front. As good as the Wolf Pack running game was, that's almost as bad as the run D was giving up over five yards per pop. The defense has to come up with more stops on third downs and has to keep the deep completions to a minimum.

The 2013 Class Is Heavy On ... Offensive tackle. The Wolf Pack needs Superiorr Reid and Don Jackson to go from junior college to the Mountain West right away for the Stefphon Jefferson-less ground attack, while several other prospects were brought in to pave the way. JUCO transfers Braxton Isaac and Avery Poates will at least provide offensive tackle depth, but Ziad Damanhoury and Chad Specht will be for down the road. JUCO transfer Ian Seau will be the star of the class as a potential starting linebacker for this year, but Beau Hershberger might become the better talent in a few years.

2012 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 114. That Class Was Heavy On ... The program didn’t exactly capitalize off the big 2010 season with last year’s class, but it come up with a boatload of running backs meaning head coach Chris Ault can look elsewhere. He’ll get quarterbacks for 2015 with the 2009 class providing several options in development and with Cody Fajardo appearing to be the franchise for the next few seasons. The defensive back seven could use more options for down the line, but several young players will be a part of the 2012 season. 

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 101. That Class Was Heavy On ... Running backs. After the record-setting Colin Kaepernick/Vai Taua rushing era has ended, the program needs reinforcements. The good quarterback crop of 2009 should kick in starting this year, so Tanner Roderick should get plenty of time to learn. The running backs might not have the talent of other Nevada positions, but Kendall Brock, Teondray Caldwell and Superiorr Reid fit the Pistol.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 91. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive linemen. The quarterbacks were brought in last season so the offense was taken care of. This year, something had to be done to boost the depth on a defense that can't stop anyone's running game. Seven prospects were signed for the defensive line with a premium put on speed, quickness, and pass rushing ability. There isn't the bulk needed to clog up the middle, but there pass rush will be a strength.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 106. That Class Was Heavy On ... Quarterbacks. With Colin Kaepernick set to be the franchise for the next few years, Nevada’s two new passers, Mason Magelby and David Fales, will get plenty of time to develop. However, JUCO transfer Maurice Patterson is a good-looking receiver who’ll get Kaepernick throwing to him this year.