Nevada 2020 recruiting: Linebacker Prospects to Watch

Nevada featured a quality group of linebacker prospects in the 2019 class and the 2020 class already has three players committed before their first senior snap. With a great group of athletes looking to emerge as prospects, here are the key players to watch:

101 tackles 7 sacks 1 int

One of the elite linebacker prospects in the nation, Laduke has prototypical size and speed. With the physical upside to play on the edge or interior, he brings great versatility and has a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage.

Committed to the Oregon Ducks, he keyed his programs rise to state title contender and is expected to have a huge senior season on the football field.

110 tackles 12 sacks

With a great combination of size, speed and instincts, Kaupiko is an ultra-productive linebacker with great agility. With impressive upper body strength, he has the ability to shed blocks consistently and stands out as an excellent tackler.

Committed to Fresno State, he is a player with a full array of skills that should transition smoothly to the next level.

81 tackles 2 sacks 1 int

The younger brother of Alabama's linebacker Ale Kaho, Vai has emerged as fellow great athlete at the position with great upside. He is a well built player that the ability to track the ball sideline-to-sideline and the athletic skills to be very effective in coverage.

Committed to the hometown Nevada Wolf Pack, Kaho will be in a position to challenge for honors as one of the top defenders in the state as a senior.

49 tackles 2 sacks

A strong safety/linebacker hybrid, Tai is a great overall athlete and pure football player that attacks the ball downhill with plenty of ability in space. He brings excellent physicality as a sure tackler with the ability to be an effective player on the blitz.

Tai holds an offer from Air Force and will be among the state’s most productive defenders.

60 tackles 4 sacks 1 int

A large framed linebacker, Wade is a player that shows the ability to explode up field as a disruptive force behind the line of scrimmage. With the ability to close on the ball in a hurry, he shows great pursuit speed and has impressive strength from the linebacker position.

Playing for the highly talent driven Desert Pines program, Wade isn’t a highly recruited prospect just yet but he is a player that has the ability to emerge among the Nevada elite.

48 tackles 3 sacks

An excellent run defender with great physicality, Maea already hold four early offers as a rising inside linebacker prospect.

47 tackles

Coming off of a strong sophomore campaign, Alek is a standout player that has good athleticism and instincts.

75 tackles 3 sacks

The next in line from Arbor View, Whalen does a good job of tracking down the ball carrier with great ability as a tackler in space. He is a player that has a developable frame with plenty of physical opside to go along with great instincts.

Holding a Southwest Missouri State offer, he is a player to watch as a senior.

44 tackles 9 sacks

A high school defensive end, Wilson stands out as an edge rusher showing the ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and the speed to track down the ball in space. He has a frame that indicates great physical upside and brings impressive speed.

63 tackles 4 sacks (58 car 339 yards 5.8 avg 6 tds)

Hawkins is a physical tweener that projects as either a linebacker or safety in college. He brings high energy showing the ability to read and react in a hurry with the quickness to redirect quickly in space. An excellent overall tackler and playmaker, Hawkins is a prospect with the ability to be very productive once he finds the right program.

57 tackles 2 sacks

Miller is still filling out his frame but is possibly the speediest player among linebacker prospect that has big play ability and a nose for the football. With added size from the off-season, he is a player that should be very productive as a senior.

65 tackles 3 sacks

A productive player for the Dragons, Jaurez is a player to watch with good physicality and toughness.