“The competition should be steep and fierce,” the Nevada Wolf Pack head coach said after announcing his 22-player football recruiting class on Wednesday at Legacy Hall. “We already had a nice nucleus coming in but these players we’ve brought in today are going to make the competition for spots as good as we’ve seen around here in the last few years.”

The Wolf Pack added 13 offensive players and nine defensive players to its depth chart. The recruits come from four different states: California (18), Texas (two), Nevada (one) and Florida (one).

“This is a nice class, better than last year,” Ault said. “We have added a lot of skill and some people who will come right in and give us immediate help.”

Ault said he expects the five junior college players the Pack signed — defensive backs Nigel Haikins and Markus Smith, defensive linemen Shane Pennix and Cortez Woods and wide receiver Nigel Westbrooks — to compete for extensive playing time immediately in the fall. He also wants his 17 new freshman to have the same mindset.

“We don’t want them to come in with the thought of red-shirting that first year,” Ault said. “We want them to come in with the thought of competing.”

Ault added that the Pack might not be finished recruiting this spring. “We may not be done yet,” he said. “I’d like to add another wide receiver and running back. We’ll see.”

Ault was pleased on Wednesday — the first day recruits could sign a National Letter of Intent — but that wasn’t the case right after the holidays.

“About two and a half weeks ago I called a recruiting meeting because I wasn’t real happy where this thing was going,” he said. “But starting about 10 days ago, it started to turn around and I think we came up with a quality class. Our coaches have done an outstanding job bringing in people to compete right away and give us excellent depth for the future.”

The move to the Mountain West Conference this fall, Ault said, had a negligible affect on this year’s recruiting class.

“Very little,” he said. “We used that in recruiting but the kids we signed came here because of us. We sell us. For these kids, the big plus was the University of Nevada and the tradition we have here in football. I wanted guys who wanted to be here, who wanted to put on the silver and blue.”

A close look at the Wolf Pack’s 2012 football recruiting class:

ABE ABDELKARIM, Allen (Texas) High School: A huge (6-foot-6, 315-pound) offensive lineman who comes out of a huge (6,000 students) high school in football-crazy Texas.
“He wasn’t noticed that much his junior year despite his size but he just blossomed his senior year,” Ault said.

Abdelkarim also had an offer from UTEP.

“He will do nothing but get better,” Ault said.

ALEX BERTRANDO, Del Oro High School (Loomis, Calif.): Bertrando will have to put on some weight (6-2, 210 pounds) before he can become a major contributor.

“He fits in very well into our scheme,” Ault said. “He’s an excellent prospect and could play either inside (linebacker) or outside.”

Bertando was the Sacramento Bee’s Defensive Player of the Year this fall.

REGGIE COATES, Crespi Carmelite High School (Encino, Calif.): A gray shirt, Coates originally signed with the Wolf Pack in February 2011 over offers from Colorado State, Iowa State and Tulsa. He has already enrolled at Nevada for the spring semester.

An outstanding all-around athlete — he was also a basketball star at Crespi — Coates is 6-1, 240 pounds and has the makings of becoming another Brandon Marshall.

Coates had 61 tackles and four sacks as a high school senior in 2010.

CHARLES FARAIMO, Grant High School (Sacramento, Calif.): The 6-2, 270–pound Faraimo, Ault said, “has a chance to get on our depth (chart) next year.”

Faraimo had 78 tackles and two sacks this past season.

“Charles really liked the Nevada campus and he is 100 percent committed to Nevada,” Faraimo’s father, Charles, told 247sports.com this fall.

Faraimo, a defensive tackle, is considered a run stuffer.

“He will be a very exciting defensive lineman,” Ault said. “No question, he will make things happen.”

TRAVIS GARDNER, Eastlake High School (Chula Vista, Calif.): Gardner, a 6-foot, 195-pound wide receiver, originally gave a verbal commitment to Washington State last summer.

Gardner caught 16 passes for 231 yards and no touchdowns this season and missed five games with a broken wrist.

“He came back to play in the playoffs,” Ault said. “He’s a tough kid.”

An excellent football, basketball and track athlete, Ault called Gardner “one of the sleepers in the class.”

In addition to Washington State and Nevada, Gardner also had an offers from New Mexico.

JARRED GIPSON, Cypress Creek High School (Houston, Texas): The 6-foot, 220-pound Gipson, Ault said, will likely end up at wide receiver but could also develop into a linebacker.

“He can play on either side of the ball,” Ault said.

Gipson had offers from Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana and Texas State.
“He’s very intelligent” said his high school coach Greg McCaig, “and because of that he’s able to do a lot of things.”

Gipson was current Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton’s top wide receiver target in 2010 at Cypress Lake High. He moved from safety to tight end for his junior year.

BRIAN GUENDLING, Poway (Calif.) High School: Guendling, a 6-4, 220-pound defensive end, also had offers from Idaho and New Mexico State.

“His height and athleticism will work to his advantage n the defensive line but we might also move him out to outside linebacker,” Ault said.

Guendling was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Palomar Conference this fall.

NIGEL HAIKINS, Diablo Valley College (Berkeley, Calif.): Haikins expects the 5-10, 205-pound Haikins to challenge for a starting cornerback spot this year.

“We brought him in to compete and we’re anxious to see him do it,” Ault said.

Haikins, a junior this fall, graduated from Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, Calif.
He also had an offer from Illinois.

AISEA HANSEN, Kaiser High School (Fontana, Calif.): An offensive lineman, Hansen is 6-3, 310-pounds.

“He’s as wide as he is tall,” Ault said. “He’s a big, strong athlete who will fit in well with the Union. He’s a load.”

Hansen was named to the First Team All-CIF team this fall and also had offers from San Diego State and Fresno State.

HASAAN HENDERSON, Las Vegas High School: One of the Pack’s top prizes in this recruiting class, the 6-5, 210-pound Henderson is already drawing comparisons to a former Wolf Pack quarterback.

“He’s physically gifted and multitalented,” Las Vegas High coach James Thurman told the Las Vegas Review-Journal this fall. “Hopefully he could be the next (Colin) Kaepernick if it all works out.”

Henderson passed for 5,426 yards and 64 touchdowns and rushed for 1,351 yards and 15 touchdowns in three seasons at Las Vegas High.

“We had him in our quarterback camp last summer,” Ault said. “The first year we did that was when Kap was (going into his senior year). That’s how we found Kap. So we really got to know (Henderson). This kid has great upside.”

Henderson ran a one-back offense at Las Vegas “with a little pistol thrown in,” Ault said.

ANDREW MAIN, Los Alamitos (Calif.) High School: Main, like Coates, is currently enrolled in classes in the spring semester. He also signed with the Pack originally in 2011.

Main spent the past year adding 20 pounds and is now 6-3, 270 and can play wither guard or center on the offensive line.

“He’ll come in right away and compete,” Ault said.

MARQUIS NEWELL, Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview High School: The 6-foot, 175-pound Newell is a cornerback with “tremendous speed,” Ault said.

“He is a track star who jumped 6-10 in the high jump,” Ault said. “He’s very fast. “His track speed will make him a viable defensive back as we move forward.”

Newell also played wide receiver in high school.

SHANE PENNIX, Grossmont College (Spring Valley, Calif.): Pennix, who will be a junior in 2012, turned down offers from Boise State, Indiana, BYU and Texas Tech to sign with the Wolf Pack.

Ault expects Pennix to come right in and compete for a starting role.

“He can really run,” said Ault of the 6-3, 240-pound defensive end. “We’re expecting him to enhance our pass rush with his excellent speed off the edge.”

JERICO RICHARDSON, Bishop Alemany High School (North Hills, Calif.): A versatile athlete, Richardson is currently the starting point guard at Bishop Alemany. His backcourt partner is Marqueze Coleman, who recently signed a Letter of Intent to play basketball at Nevada.

“He was very quick to tell me, ‘I’m the point guard,’” Ault said, smiling. “I tell him (Coleman) what to do out there.”

Richardson is a 5-11, 175-pounder. He originally gave a verbal commitment to UCLA in September.

“He is a great athlete with tremendous upside who can do it all,“ Ault said.

MARKUS SMITH, Riverside Junior College (Riverside, Calif.): Ault expects the 6-1, 185-pound Smith to “make an instant impact” in the Pack secondary.

Smith, a junior this fall, also had an offer from San Jose State.

“He will definitely compete this year,” Ault said.

CHRIS SOLOMON, West Covina (Calif.) High School: Solomon rushed for 1,790 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior and just under 1,400 yards and a dozen touchdowns this past season.

“He is also an outstanding defensive back,” Ault said. “That’s the kind of athlete he is.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound Solomon also had offers from Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado before deciding on Nevada.

“We think he is the future for us,” Ault said.

XAVIER STEPHENS, Tulare (Calif.) Union High School: Stephens will also likely be a big part of the Pack’s future. The 5-11, 235-pounder was on Ault’s radar all recruiting season.

“I told (assistant coach Barry Sacks), ‘I want that big back,’” Ault said. “We really wanted this kid.”

Stephens comes from the same high school that produced brothers Virgil and Jeremiah Green for the Wolf Pack.

“He’s a big, strong back who runs north and south,” Ault said.

Stephens rushed for 4,130 yards in his career with 83 touchdowns. He had 1,405 yards and 36 touchdowns this past year.

UNLV also offered Stephens a scholarship.

“I’m pretty excited about playing at Nevada,” Stephens told the Tulare Advance Register this fall. “I’ve been running the pistol offense (in high school), so I‘m used to it. I hope to do great things for them.”

TYLER STEWART, Sierra Canyon High School (Simi Valley, Calif.): Stewart (6-4, 210) was also discovered by Ault at his quarterback camp last summer.

“He comes from a very sophisticated offense in high school,” Ault said. “He is one of the premier quarterbacks in Southern California.”

Ault had high praise for Stewart, who passed for over 5,000 yards combined the past two seasons.

“He is a very smooth thrower,” Ault said. “He’s better than Chris Vargas when Vargas was a senior in high school and Vargas was a great thrower with a nice, smooth motion.”

Stewart originally gave a verbal commitment to San Jose State this fall and also had offers from Colorado, Hawaii, Bowling Green and Fresno State.

CODY TUTTLE, Westlake High School (Newbury Park, Calif.): Tuttle, a 6-3, 220-pound tight end, could have an immediate impact for the Pack.

“He is a very dedicated, skilled and competitive athlete,” Ault said.

Tuttle, who also had an offer from Western Michigan, committed to the Pack last April.

“He is very focused, knows exactly what he wants out of a college,” Ault said. “And he has great hands.”

Tuttle played quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, linebacker and defensive end in high school.

“I have a passion for football and will play anywhere that helps my team,” he told a recruiting Web site this fall.

RANDY UZOMA, Canoga Park (Calif.) High School: Uzoma is an explosive athlete, who grew up in Nigeria, who is just learning the sport of football.

Uzoma burst upon the recruiting scene last summer after taking part in a high school combine in Long Beach, Calif. The 6-1, 200-pounder ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at Long Beach.

“He is a gifted athlete with great speed,“ Ault said. “He can probably play on either side of the ball.”

Uzoma also had offers from San Jose State, Oregon, Air Force and Idaho.
He returned five kickoffs for touchdowns as a junior.

NIGEL WESTBROOKS, Palomar College (San Marcos, Calif.): Westbrooks is being counted on heavily in 2012 by the Wolf Pack.

“He is the top junior college wide receiver we went after,” Ault said. “He is the guy we anointed to take Rishard Matthews’ place. We‘re expecting big things from him this year.”

The 6-1, 185-pound Westbrooks caught 52 passes for 729 yards and 11 touchdowns this season at Palomar, the same school that produced former Pack linebacker and defensive coordinator Andy Buh.

Westbrooks, who had 10 catches for 130 yards and four touchdowns in one game against Saddleback this fall, also had an offer from Colorado State and gave a verbal commitment to Bowling Green before signing with the Pack.

CORTEZ WOODS, American River College (Roseville, Calif.): Woods, a defensive tackle, should also play a major role with the Pack this fall.

“He has the talent and attitude to be an outstanding defensive lineman,” Ault said.

The Woodcreek High School graduate (Roseville, Calif.) is 6-3, 275 pounds.

American River College went 21-1 in Woods’ to seasons, including an 11-0 season and a Capital City Bowl victory in 2011.

Woods had 52 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks this season in the 10-game regular season.

Tuttle was one of the key components in the Westlake’s drive to the CIF-SS Northwest Division championship game in 2010, and he’s been a player to watch the past few seasons on the Warriors roster.  From his slot back position, he posted 34 receptions, 484 receiving yards and 3 scores last year.

But that doesn’t include some of the other intangibles Tuttle brings to the table. He projects as a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end/slot back in the Pistol offense, bringing too much speed for a linebacker to cover and too much strength for a defensive back to corral.

Check out his “Behind the Mask” video feature below;

Jake Hall, a member of the 2012 class, is certainly one of the early favorites for the job. A 6-foot-5, 200-pound strong-armed quarterback at Junipero Serra Catholic high school in San Juan Capistrano, Hall threw for over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for the Lions.

His junior highlight tape was excellent, as Hall shows off a big arm and very good versatility.

You can check that out below;

Silver and Blue Sports also caught up with Hall recently for the following Q&A;

Q&A with Jake Hall

With his high school team implementing the Pistol offense, Hall recently got some experience running the system.  Check out his work below;

Hall running the Pistol

]]> http://www.silverandbluesports.com/2011/07/15/hall-running-the-pistol/feed/ 8 http://www.silverandbluesports.com/2011/07/11/big-talent-in-littleton/ http://www.silverandbluesports.com/2011/07/11/big-talent-in-littleton/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:59:02 +0000 awprince http://www.silverandbluesports.com/?p=10765 Sometimes there are athletes who just exude a lot of talent, yet struggle to get a lot of media recruiting attention.  Nevada has recruited a plethora of those players over the past several years under Hall of Fame head coach Chris Ault, including numerous prospects who have developed into NFL talent.  One player in the ‘12 class that really stood with high major potential is Cory Littleton, a San Diego native who earned the Grossmont – Valley Conference Football Defensive Player of the Year honors during his junior season.

Littleton, who lines up next to Washington verbal commitment Malcolm Jackson on the Mount Miguel defensive line, is a heck of an athlete.  He shows a lot of length, great versatility and the ability to deliver a big hit when he makes contact with opposing players.

His video shows why he was named the defensive MVP of his league, and why Mount Miguel went 8-2-1 last year. Check it out below;

The first name that most Nevada fans watching Littleton’s video will link to him is former all-WAC Wolf Pack defensive end Kevin Basped.  Known to all simply as “KB”, the lanky Nevada standout racked up 27 sacks and 132 tackles in just 38 career Nevada games.  He also knocked down a dozen passed and forced nearly a half-dozen fumbles.

Littleton certainly exudes similar characteristics on the football field, especially with his length and pursuit. He also doubles as a rock-solid hoops player, helping the Matadors to a 48-15 record the past two years.  Mount Miguel won the San Diego Section D-III basketball championship in 2010, with Littlejohn averaging over 8 boards a game during his sophomore year.  He was easily one of the teams tops defensive players as well.

Littleton reportedly carries a solid GPA above 3.0, and has interest from Nevada, Washington, plus several other Mountain West Conference and Pac-12 programs.

Look for more on the Mount Miguel high D-end in the near future.

]]> http://www.silverandbluesports.com/2011/07/11/big-talent-in-littleton/feed/ 6 http://www.silverandbluesports.com/2011/07/08/davis-checking-out-the-pack/ http://www.silverandbluesports.com/2011/07/08/davis-checking-out-the-pack/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:01:20 +0000 awprince http://www.silverandbluesports.com/?p=10740 One of the most overlooked aspects of the Nevada program the past three years has been the ability for the Pack to control the line of scrimmage.  Nevada has posted Top 25 rushing offenses and rushing defenses each year since 2008, even leading the country in 2009 in rushing offense.

That dominance parlayed into a 13-1 record in 2010, as Nevada also increased their production on pass offense and pass defense. A lot of that consistency goes back to the cornerstone of the Nevada program; strong offensive and defensive lines. The Pack have built those lines mainly by recruiting Northern and Southern California, landing a number of talented big men in both sections.

One early target for the Pack in the 2012 class is Elisha Davis, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound two-way lineman at Orange Lutheran high school in Orange (Calif.). Davis stood tall for the Lancers as a junior, earning all-Trinity league second-team honors.

“I had a good year, but there’s a lot of things I want to improve on,” Davis said.  ”We started fall practice recently, and yes, I’m playing both ways.”

Does Davis have a preference?

“I play noseguard on the D-Line and tackle on the O-Line, and if I had to say I enjoy one over the other it would be defense.  That’s where I’m hearing from most programs, including Nevada.”

“Along with Nevada, I’m hearing from Colorado, Washington and San Jose State.”

Davis does not have a favorite school yet, but he readily admitted that the Wolf Pack, due to their success, talent and a 2011 recruiting class addition make the program really stand out.

“Yes, I know ‘Zo (Lorenzo Devers) well.  He’s like a brother to me,” Davis noted. “When I first came to OLu (Orange Lutheran) he showed me around and just took me under his wing.

“I know he’ll do some big things at Nevada.”

Davis, who should have a highlight video online in the next few days, is also planning to attend Nevada’s upcoming Senior Day at the end of July.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to play at Nevada,” Combs said during our visit.  ”This is all happened a bit quicker than I thought it would, but I’m glad it did. I’m going to sign next week.”

“For me, it was just perfect timing,” McIlwain added. “I played at MJC in 2008 and 2009, and Devin played last year, so we never actually played together.

“But we are coming from the same program, and it is just really cool to get a chance to play for a winning program like Nevada.  They are a real confident defense.  So honestly, I’m real fired up to play for Coach (Andy) Buh. With just two years left, I plan to go hard during my time.”

Check out the gallery below;

However, the Wolf Pack have yet to add a prep quarterback who has run the Pistol offense at a lower level.  Some prep slingers have experimented with read-options and spread offenses, which adds a basic understanding of what the Nevada offense is like.

Perhaps the first high school quarterback to develop in the Pistol and sign with Nevada could be Jake Hall from Orange County.  Hall is a 6-foot-5, 200-pound strong-armed quarterback at Junipero Serra Catholic high school in San Juan Capistrano who threw for over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for the Lions.

Check out his junior highlight tape below;

Silver and Blue Sports recently caught up with Hall for a quick Q&A about the Pistol, where Nevada stands in his recruitment and his recently visit to Reno to work with Coach Ault at a Nevada summer camp, which you can read below;

SBS:  So we understand you had a chance to travel to Reno recently with your Dad, check out the the University of Nevada, plus spend some time with Coach Ault.  How did it go?

JH: “It was honestly one of the greatest experiences of my life. First and foremost, Coach Ault is just someone who knows the game inside and out and for me, just to get a chance to work with him, let alone play for him someday, is a great honor. It was just a fantastic experience.

SBS: And the University? The Campus?

JH: “It was gorgeous.  I had no idea that the campus was going to be like that.  You seriously have to see it in person to believe how nice it is, and I’m glad I did.”

SBS: You play in what many consider as the toughest prep football league in the country, and it is the same conference that Nevada redshirt freshman QB Cody Fajardo developed in.  Did you follow him a bit through his career?

JH: “Yes, he played at Servite, so I got a chance to watch him a few times.  He was really dynamic his senior year, and they won it all too.  (Cody) wasn’t there when I was at the camp, but I did meet the current starter, Tyler (Lantrip), and he was a great guy.”

SBS: You look pretty tall on your video.  What is your exact height and weight?

JH: “I’m 6-foot-5, and I weigh 210 pounds right now.”

SBS: How long have you been playing the game?

JH: “I was one of those kids who played every single sport growing up. Football was just my favorite, and I decided to stick with it.

SBS:  We’ve also been told that you’ll be running the Pistol in ‘11 at your school.

JH:  ”Yes, my coaching staff, they tripped up to Reno and spent some time learning and watching how Nevada runs their offense and they brought that back and implemented it.  I have some great receivers, so I can’t begin to tell you how pumped I am at the upcoming season.”

SBS: What is your favorite aspect of running the Pistol offense?

JH: “I’d have to say the control.  I like that, and I definitely want the ball in my hands.  I’m good at making the reads and I just love how confusing it is for defenses to keep up with.”

SBS: So give us an update on your recruitment now. Where do you stand with Nevada, and who else is recruiting you?

JH:  ”"Oregon State, Arizona State, San Diego State, Maryland and Nevada. Those are the schools that I’m primarily hearing from now.  After my visit to Nevada, knowing they not only run the Pistol by to get to know Coach Ault, they are definitely at the top of my list.”

The first addition was punter Chase Tenpenny from Fort Scott College in Kansas.  His addition secured what was a major need after the graduation of all-WAC senior punter Brad Langley, who gave the Pack three solid years. Tenpenny, who stands a rock solid 6-foot-4, 250-pounds and developed as a defensive end originally, will have two years to play two seasons.

You can see video of him action, winning a recent National punting competition, by clicking the link below;

Tenpenny in Action

The Pack also recently hit the California’s Central Valley hard, initially landing former Waterford high school star Marcus McIlwain.  A 6-foot-3, 225-pound outside linebacker, McIlwain spent two years at Modesto Junior College taking his game to another level.  He had 7 sacks alone in 2009, plus 54 tackles and two safeties for the Pirates.

Photo by A.W. Prince of SilverandBlueSports.com

But after two years at MJC, McIlwain was still a bit short academically to gain clearance from the NCAA Clearinghouse.  That changed this past year, as McIlwain took a year off of football to get his studies together. The result was a ride to Nevada, where the future Pack OLB has already been working out and preparing for fall practice.

You can see video of McIlwain, who has two years to play two seasons, in some of his ‘08 Highlights by clicking the link below;

McIlwain in Action

Nevada also added Dominic Coulter just this past week.  A former two-sport standout in Orange County who was waiting for a spot to open up at Utah while greyshirting the 2010 season, Coulter tripped up and made a commitment shortly afterwards.  He’ll arrive in time for Fall practice, which starts in early August.

Standing an impressive 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, Nevada wasted no time in getting the Tustin high product in the door. He’s expected to push for playing time as a freshman, and gives the Pack receiving core a boost after the loss of three seniors, plus the unfortunate potential loss of Brandon Wimberly for the 2010 season.

You can see video of the kid known simply as “Dom” in action by clicking the link below;

Coulter in Action

The final addition, and the Pack’s second newcomer from the Central Valley was quarterback Devin Combs. An impressive 6-foot-2, 235-pound prospect, Combs is a terrific story. He was a high school star at Oakdale high school, and then after two years off the gridiron, he commandeered one of the top offenses in JUCO football this past season at Modesto JC during his freshman year. Combs threw for over 2,100 yards, tossed 17 touchdowns and added another 466 yards on the ground, plus 6 more scores. He led MJC to a 7-3 record and performed at an extremely high-level during the course of the ‘10 season.

Photo by A.W. Prince of SilverandBlueSports.com

Combs has a very compact and quick release, drawing comparisons from teammates in his motion and competitiveness to sure-fire Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Brett Favre. He’s flat out fun to watch, and should be one of the most talked about players this fall in Reno.

His video, which you can see by clicking the link below, does plenty of talking.

Combs in Action

Look for more on Combs and McIlwain in the upcoming week on Silver and Blue Sports.

Playing wide receiver in a high school offense that ran the ball 87 percent of the time makes it tough to gain any exposure.  However, in that 13 percent, Coulter still managed to pull in 16 catches for 351 yards and 4 touchdowns.

His video (#10) shows the former Tillers standout certainly has the goods;

So what was Coulter doing the past year?

“I’ve had a trainer, and I’ve been working out at a place called Velocity in Irvine,” Coulter said, having been a greyshirt at Utah since the end of his senior year.  ”I also play basketball a couple of times a week.  It has been tough being patient, but thankfully everything worked out.

“With Nevada, everything started a couple of months ago.  I was looking at possibly playing some junior college ball at Santa Ana, and things just kind of escalated from there. Nevada has recruited that program in the past, and that’s how they heard about me. They know the staff there.

“But I’ll be a freshman.  I didn’t play any junior college ball.”

Coulter’s lead recruiter with the Wolf Pack was assistant Scott Baumgartner, who will also be his position coach.

“We’ve gotten pretty close, pretty quick,” Coulter said about his future receiving coach.  ”He’s a real good guy.  I know things have been tough too with Brandon (Wimberly) and that situation, but he’s been great to work with. I couldn’t ask for anything more from a coach. My family is real excited as well.”

Coulter visited Reno a few weeks ago and came away very impressed with what he saw. He was hosted by Shane Anderson, and the aforementioned Wimberly.

“I actually did visit Reno a couple of weeks ago. It was a great campus and I liked everything I saw; everyone I met. I just like the lay out and how everything is real beautiful. I wasn’t really expecting that.

“It was kind of crazy, because I left a few days before Brandon was shot, and he was actually the person I got to know best.  I know like everyone there, I’m just hoping for the best and his future.”

Coincidentally, like Wimberly, Coulter has had to wait for an opportunity to play college football.  He spent over a year waiting for Utah to give him the green light. Wimberly did the same with another Pac-12 program, Oregon State. Other players like Aaron Bradley and L.J. Washington, who was a redshirt at Cal, have had to wait. It is a group that has bonded together through those experiences.

Like Wimberly, Coulter has terrific size for a receiver, and they also bring the ability to play inside or outside.

“That’s right.  That’s what I like to do,” Coulter said about his game. “I think I’m able to stretch the field pretty well, and I can play inside or outside.  I’ll do whatever my team asks of me.”