Austin Waldera
Austin Waldera
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Eliot Clough | Prep Redzone Scout
If it wasn’t Egeland making things happen for the Cubs, it was
Austin Waldera
Austin
Waldera
6'0" | 200 lbs | LB
Nevada | 2026
State
IA
. The leading rusher and tackler for Nevada on Saturday, Waldera is the straw that stirs the drink on his football team.
The 6-foot, 200-pound prospect took carry after carry, delivering and taking a beating on the ground, but popping back up and doing it all over again a play later. Finishing with 36 rushing attempts for 233 yards and a touchdown on offense, Wadera added 11 tackles defensively, including three TFLs and a sack.
A patient runner that will let his blocks get set up before taking off, he’ll bring the pain to any would-be tackler who tries to bring him down, too. Waldera is a football player through-and-through, and he sets the tone for what the Cubs do on both sides of the ball.
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Read EvaluationEliot Clough | Prep Redzone Scout
One of just a few prospects in Class 3A with multiple defensive touchdowns,
Austin Waldera
Austin
Waldera
6'0" | 200 lbs | LB
Nevada | 2026
State
IA
, like Herbst, has been critical in all three phases of the game for Nevada this season.
Starting on the offensive side of the ball, Waldera has taken 163 carries for 844 yards and six touchdowns for the Cubs this fall. Defensively, in addition to the interception and fumbles he returned for scores, Waldera has been a menace, leading Nevada in tackles (50.5) and TFLs (14.5).
Serving as his team’s punter, Waldera does a bit of everything for the Cubs. This season, he’s booted away 26 punts for 970 yards, averaging 37.3 yards per punt.
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Read EvaluationOscar Galindo | Prep Redzone Scout
One of the more interesting prospects that I’ve reviewed in this class! Nevada’s
Austin Waldera
Austin
Waldera
6'0" | 200 lbs | LB
Nevada | 2026
State
IA
had a big breakout season in his first year as a starter with 57 tackles, 6 TFLs, and a fumble recovery while playing a nickel/OLB/safety hybrid role. Waldera has the size and strength of a linebacker but flashes the fluidity and coverage skills of a defensive back. He did a great job covering slot receivers and showed the quickness and agility to stay with right on their hip pockets through the route. I like Austin’s aggressiveness when he is asked to play downhill, especially at the LOS where he displayed the physicality to disengage from blocks in order to pursue the ball. Just a gamer on the field!
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