Northern Nevada Standouts: Midseason Report
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I have been impressed with the depth of talent outside of Clark County. This article looks at six specific prospects who have been lighting up northern Nevada all season. Below, I detail what made each of these six prospects stand…
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Continue ReadingI have been impressed with the depth of talent outside of Clark County. This article looks at six specific prospects who have been lighting up northern Nevada all season. Below, I detail what made each of these six prospects stand out during the first half of the season.
Cody Acord
Cody Acord
Cody Acord has been terrorizing opponents’ offensive lines throughout the first half of the season. Cody shows fast hands, flexibility, good strength, and good closing speed harassing opposing quarterbacks, highlighting his next level pass rusher potential. Good athleticism, size, and power allow Cody to defeat run blockers with strength or quickness before dropping ball carriers in the backfield. Good instincts and tackling ability displayed in space highlight Cody’s ability to be a versatile run defender at the next level. Cody has received some attention on social media but look for his recruitment to really heat up before the holidays get here.
Colin Banning Colin Banning 6’3″ | 285 lbs | OL Spring Creek | 2025 State NV is the second Spring Creek lineman on this list. He holds offers from both UNLV and the University of Nevada, so watch for more schools outside the state to recruit Colin before his senior year gets here. Colin shows good hip flexibility, power, and effort driving defenders downfield as a run blocker. Quick feet and a solid punch allow Colin to thrive in pass protection. Colin’s size, quickness, and strength showed at the second level highlight his ability to play multiple positions on a collegiate offensive line.
Highlights
Lance Wegman may be one of the most underrated 2026 OL prospects not only in Reno, but in all of Nevada. He has been in contact with Oregon, but I would expect other schools closer to Nevada to start reaching out before his junior year gets here. Lance shows his next level length and strength in North Valleys’ run game driving older defensive linemen from the line of scrimmage. Good quickness and flexibility flashes as Lance explodes off the ball and initiates contact in the run game. A solid punch and quick feet show in pass protection, highlighting Lance’s potential to be a tackle in college.
Highlights
Gunner Cortez Gunner Cortez 6’0″ | 160 lbs | QB Virgin Valley | 2024 State NV has been lighting up the stat sheet during his senior season. Gunnner received his first offer from Ottawa University this month. Gunner’s good combination of size, poise, and mobility shows evading pressure and quickly resetting his feet to deliver throws while still inside the pocket. Good strength and athleticism shows as a ball carrier in the open field. Flashes of next level accuracy and anticipation show leading receivers with well-placed touch passes against zone coverage. Watch for schools in the region to come in late to the talented senior’s recruitment this year.
Highlights
Salesi Manu Salesi Manu 6’3″ | 240 lbs | DL Bishop Manogue | 2024 State NV is the most talented prospect in Reno right now. Be on the lookout for his list of offers to keep growing this fall. Salesi shows a rare combination of power and acceleration exploding off the ball and disrupting run plays by blowing up pullers behind the line of scrimmage. Good instincts and closing speed allow Salesi to consistently find the ball behind the line of scrimmage. Coaches like watching Salesi’s tape and seeing him pressure opposing quarterbacks with either speed or power pass rush moves. Expect the talented edge rusher to have a microscope on his recruitment up until the day he commits.
Highlights
Mataio Aiono Mataio Aiono 6’3″ | 255 lbs | DL Reed | 2025 State NV is one of the most versatile OL prospects in Nevada. Good patience, physicality, and a strong anchor highlight Mataio’s ability to pass block at any position in college. Quick feet and a strong latch blocking second level defenders highlight Mataio’s ability to sustain blocks at the next level. Mataio’s rare combination of size, power, and athleticism is consistently on display knocking out defenders at the front of Reed’s rushing attack. Mataio holds one offer from the University of Nevada, so be on the lookout for more to come in before his junior season is finished.