Breaking down Nevada football as it enters spring camp – Reno Gazette Journal

Running back James Butler is Nevada's top returning player for the 2017 season.(Photo: USA Today Sports)

The Nevada football team hits the field for its first practice under first-year coach Jay Norvell on Monday morning when it opens spring camp. The team will have 15 practices that culminate with the spring game April 29 at Mackay Stadium as it breaks in a new offensive scheme (the pass-happy Pack Attack) and defensive scheme (a 3-3-5 system). Here is a position-by-position look at the team, which includes the returning scholarship players, according to Nevadas online roster,and additions (most of which are freshmen who will arrive in the fall); a summation of the position and a position strength rating (out of 10).

Returners: Ty Gangi (jr.); Hunter Fralick (jr.); Dant Mayes (sr.); Cristian Solano (soph.)

Additions: David Cornwell (jr.); Kaymen Cureton (fr.)

In short: Gangi was solid after taking over the starting job late last season, throwing for 1,301 yards and completing 57.6 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and six interceptions (he also rushed for three scores), but Nevada didnt add Cornwell, a transfer from Alabama, to sit on the bench. Cornwell is on campus for spring ball and will battle with Gangi. He hasnt thrown a pass in a game since 2013 or played a full season since 2012, so theres rust to knock off but he could thrive in the pass-happy system.

Position strength 6 (out of 10) Gangi showed last year he was capable of leading a team; Cornwell has all the physical skills you want at the position.

Returners: James Butler (sr.); Jaxson Kincaide (so.); Kelton Moore (so.); Blake Wright (jr.); Isaiah Hamilton (fr.)

Additions: None

In short: The Wolf Pack coaches have stressed that the running back wont be phased out of the new pass-oriented offense and theyd be wise to get the ball to Butler as often as possible (hes the best player on the team). Kincaide, in particular, could thrive in the new offense as it is designed to get players in space and hes shifty. Butler caught just 12 passes in his first two seasons at Nevada but upped that number to 37 last season and will likely be a featured player in the passing attack.

Position strength 8 Butler is excellent and showed last season he can be a workhorse, but there isnt a lot of depth here if he gets hurt.

Returners: Wyatt Demps (sr.); Andrew Celis (jr.); Ahki Muhammad (jr.); Dominic Christian (so.); Brendan OLeary-Orange (so.); Victor Gonzalez (so.); David Harvey (fr.); Trevion Armstrong (fr.)

Additions: Theo Goodwin (fr.); Elijah Cooks (fr.); Ian Zamudio (fr.); Tyson Williams (fr.); McLane Mannix (fr.); Kaleb Fossum (jr.)

In short: Demps, who caught 53 passes for 686 yards and nine touchdowns last year, had a breakout junior season but could really blossom in Nevadas new offense. Only he and Celis (23 catches for 318 yards last season) have more than six career catches, so lots of roles will be open in Nevadas new four-receiver base. Muhammad is feisty in the slot; Christian has lots of potential; Armstrong and OLeary-Orange are huge targets; Gonzalez is a speed demon; and the incoming freshmen will get a shot.

Position strength 4 Demps is a potential pro but Nevada needs some young guys to grow up fast to maximize its new offensive system.

Returners: Evan Faunce (sr.); Brandon Scott (jr.); Miles Beach (fr.)

Additions: None

In short: Nevada has a long and storied history of excellent tight end play and has thrown out all-conference-caliberplayers like Anthony Pudewell, Erick Streelman, Virgil Green, Zach Sudfeld, Kolby Arendse and Jarred Gipson in the last 15 years. The Wolf Packs new offense wont kill the tight end, but the position will be de-emphasized. Faunces Pack career has been derailed by injuries, Scott proved last year he can catch some passes and Beach is an excellent prospect who could win reps at this position.

Position strength 3 The group has combined for seven catches (six from Scott) during their time at Nevada.

Returners: Austin Corbett (sr.); Daren Echeveria (jr.); Sean Krepsz (jr.); Ilya Lopez (sr.); Cliff Porter (soph.); Carl Burton-Hill (fr.); Jake Nelson (jr.)

Additions: Marshall Levins (jr.); Anthony Palomares (jr.); Gray Davis (fr.); Chase Windham (fr.)

In short: Former Nevada football coach Brian Polian was never able to build a strong offensive line and Norvell inherits a group thats thin on starting-caliber players. Corbett is excellent and Krepsz and Echeveria have started games (a combined 12), but thats about it. The rest of the group is a question mark after Nevada lost starters Jeremy Macauley, Nathan Goltry and Jake Henry, who started a combined 85 games. The JC additions Levins and Palomares need to be able to play right away.

Position strength 3 Youd like to have at least eight players ready to go on the offensive line. Nevada has just three sure things entering the spring.

Returners: Malik Reed (jr.); Patrick Choudja (sr.); Korey Rush (jr.); Jordan Silva (jr.); Kalei Meyer (jr.); Jarid Joseph (jr.); Nakita Lealao (sr.); Kori Collons (soph.); Hausia Sekona (soph.); Ricky Thomas Jr. (soph.); Kameron Toomer (fr.); Nick Gregg (fr.)

Additions: Chris Green (fr.); Dominic Peterson (fr.)

In short: Nevada has heavily stocked up at this position over the years, so Norvell didnt want to add much other than two prep defensive tackles who will likely redshirt. He was pleased with the talent level on the defensive line and said the staff just needs to develop those players. Reed made last years All-MW team and Choudja has talent that needs to be unlocked. Rush, Silva, Meyer, Joseph, Lealao and Sekona have all played snaps, so Nevada has plenty of players to pick from for its new three-man front.

Position strength 6 Reed is a difference-maker and theres enough talent here to develop some other high-level producers.

Returners: Gabe Sewell (soph.); Jaden Sawyer (sr.); Travis Wilson (sr.); Austin Paulhus (sr.); Lucas Weber (jr.); D.J. Powe (fr.); Lawson Hall (fr.)

Additions: Trevor Price (fr.); Lamin Touray (fr.)

In short: This position was a problem last season and lost its most productive player in Alex Bertrando, who had 106 tackles. Sewell and Sawyer started last season, so theyre a nice base to start with. Wilson has had the potential tag for a long time and is an uber athlete. Can he finally break out as a senior? Dont be shocked to see Nevada rely heavily on the freshmen (Powe and Hall, who redshirted last year, and Price and Touray, who are true freshmen) as the season goes along. Theyre the future here.

Position strength 4 Nevada needs this group to improve after the Wolf Pack ranked last nationally in run defense (297.6 yards/game) last year.

Returners: Kendall Johnson (sr.); EJ Muhammad (so.); Elijah Moody (jr.); Daniel Brown (so.); Kevin Howell (fr.); Daq Irby (fr.)

Additions: Brandon Brooks (jr.); Vosean Crumbie (jr.); Berdale Robins (fr.)

In short: Nevada lost one of its starting cornerbacks (Elijah Mitchell) and returns the other (Johnson, 25 career starts). Norvell targeted the defensive backfield in his first recruiting class, adding three cornerbacks and two safeties. JC transfers Brooks and Crumbie need to add immediate depth and should vie for starting jobs as the Pack shifts to a five-starter defensive backfield. Muhammad and Moody have played their share of snaps and Brown played as a true freshman (mostly on special teams) last season.

Position strength 4 There isnt an All-MW performer here but theres enough experienced depth and talented additions to be somewhat confident.

Returners: Asauni Rufus (jr.); Dameon Baber (jr.); Daylon Johnson (fr.); Cameron Turner (soph.); Marcus Lucas (fr.)

Additions: Nephi Sewell (fr.); Austin Arnold (fr.)

In short: Rufus and Baber enter their third season as starters, making this one of the teams most experienced units. Rufus has 200 tackles in his first two seasons and Baber has 139 tackles and six interceptions in two years, although he played better as a freshman than as a sophomore. Those two lead this group, which has a number of young players on the second line (four of the other five scholarship players are freshmen, including Arnold, who is listed as an athlete on Nevadas roster).

Position strength 5 Nevada should be confident about Rufus and Baber but theres not a lot of depth given the copious transfers at safety in recent years.

Returners: K Spencer Pettit (soph.); LS Wes Farnsworth (jr.); PR Andrew Celis (jr.)

Additions: None

In short: Pettit returns as Nevadas starting kicker after making 7-of-9 field goals and 18-of-19 extra points. The Wolf Pack doesnt have a punter listed on its roster entering spring camp, so it will have to figure that position out. Celis returned punts for Nevada last season but the Wolf Pack infused its roster in Norvells first recruiting class with several players who could return kickoffs and punts, so those positions will be sorted out through spring and fall camp, but it has been an emphasis of the new staff.

Position strength 4 Pettit proved to be an excellent kicker and the return unit should be improved, but the lack of a punter (right now) is an issue.

Columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at cmurray@rgj.com or follow him on Twitter @MurrayRGJ.

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Breaking down Nevada football as it enters spring camp - Reno Gazette Journal