Ernest Nunley
Ernest Nunley
About Ernest
Expert Analysis
Michael Huntley | Prep Redzone Scout
Western defensive back
Ernest Nunley
Ernest
Nunley
6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH
Western | 2026
State
CA
was released from his signing with Cal and picked up an offer from Michigan this week.
Nunley committed to Cal in June and signed on the early signing day, Dec. 3.
Michigan is the first school to offer Nunley since his release from his signing but he is one of the best available class of 2026 prospects and will be getting many more big offers in the coming weeks.
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Read EvaluationMatt Moreno | Prep Redzone Scout
Nunley is another player who used a big performance in a single game to move up the list in a hurry. He shined against Villa Park in Week 1 with three interceptions solidifying his spot as one of the top playmakers in the secondary in the Southern Section. The 6-foot-1 defensive back is currently committed to Cal has an impressive ability to play his position with strong fundamentals. Nunley has no issue playing man coverage and his speed allows him to make up ground in a hurry. That speed is crucial in his ability to make plays on the ball, which he has done routinely this season.
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Read EvaluationMichael Huntley | Prep Redzone Scout
Western (Anaheim) defensive back
Ernest Nunley
Ernest
Nunley
6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH
Western | 2026
State
CA
announced his commitment to Cal on Wednesday.
Nunley led Narbonne in interceptions last season and has since transferred to Western. He had strong showings at the All-22 camp and National Preps Showcase this spring.
He also had offers from Boise State, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV and added a late offer from UCLA. Nunley is the 14th player from California in Cal’s 2026 recruiting class and the third defensive back.
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Read EvaluationPaul Gregorian | Prep Redzone Scout
Nunley is one of the elite defensive backs across the state and has had top showings at multiple stops his off-season already. He’s a true technician with the ideal length, build and physicality at the line and is excellent in man coverage with natural hips in transition and fluid in space. He breaks quickly to ball carriers without taking false steps and is a natural athlete with the ball in his hands and true downfield speed. He has gathered offers from SJSU, Boise State, Arizona, UC Davis and New Mexico among others and is well on his way to being a 12+ offer kid by the time he makes his decision.
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Read EvaluationMichael Huntley | Prep Redzone Scout
It was a strong group of defensive backs and Whitehead was deserving, but Nunley had a strong case for MVP as well. He had a strong showing at the All-22 camp in March and had another strong performance Saturday.
He was in the hip pocket of receivers all throughout the one-on-one period and showd some good ball skills on 50/50 balls. Nunley gets in and out of his breaks well and his footwork is solid.
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Read EvaluationMichael Huntley | Prep Redzone Scout
Nunley was impressive during 1-on-1s and I was impressed with his feet getting out of his breaks. He was just the right amount of physical without drawing flags.
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Read EvaluationMichael Huntley | Prep Redzone Scout
Nunley had three interceptions as a sophomore and had a very strong showing at the National Preps Showcase.
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