When Jeff Choate took over in the offseason, the Nevada Wolf Pack roster was in rough shape, but the new head coach and his coaching staff had some success in player retention and the transfer portal.
It’s not a loaded roster, but the Wolf Pack have enough talent to surprise some teams in the Mountain West. Here are Nevada’s top 10 returning players in 2024.
Nevada Wolf Pack Top 10 Returning Players in 2024
10) Sean Dollars, RB
Sean Dollars didn’t have a ton of help last season, but there’s a bit more talent around him in 2024. He wasn’t super explosive in his debut campaign for the Wolf Pack, but he got some tough yards. This year, he could improve as a pass blocker and catcher, further vindicating his place as one of Nevada’s top 10 returning players.
9) Andrew Madrigal, OC
Andrew Madrigal anchored the offensive line last season and returns as the veteran of the group. The Wolf Pack will likely run the ball a ton this season, and Madigral will be an integral part of opening up running lanes for Nevada.
8) Brendon Lewis, QB
Brendon Lewis wasn’t great as a passer last year. It’s not that he was inaccurate, but more that he made the occasional boneheaded play. He’s electric with his feet, and although he hasn’t secured the starting spot, Choate has said his decision-making is much better.
7) Savion Red, RB
Savion Red followed Choate from Texas and though he was recruited as a receiver for the Longhorns, he made the switch to running back last season. While he wasn’t a huge contributor in the running back rotation, he took a bunch of Wildcat snaps and could take over as the full-time starter in Reno.
6) Keyshawn Cobb, CB
Keyshawn Cobb had a hugely successful first year at Buffalo in 2022, but after moving up to the Big 12 level at West Virginia, he got hurt in Week 2 and missed the rest of the season. He was a low-key signing for the Wolf Pack, but a guy who will come in and immediately contribute to the secondary, possibly at nickel.
5) Kitan Crawford, S
Another Texas transfer, Kitan Crawford will slot in at safety for Nevada in his fifth and final college season. He logged over 300 snaps at safety for the Longhorns last season and brings a wealth of Power Four experience that will bolster an excellent secondary.
4) KK Meier, CB
KK Meier is the more well-known of Nevada’s talented corner tandem, and was often tasked with covering the best of his opponents’ receivers.
In the Mountain West, that’s often no small task, but one that Meier really did well. This year, he’s a veteran in the secondary unit and one of Nevada’s top 10 returning players.
3) Tongiaki Mateialona, LB
Tongiaki Mateialona racked up 53 tackles last season as part of a solid linebacker corps, and the staff did a nice job keeping him in the fold in 2024. An All-Mountain West Honorable Mention last season, he’s another known quantity on Nevada’s talented defense.
2) Dru Watts, LB
Dru Watts is a solid pass rusher from the linebacker position, and like Mateialona, he returns in 2024 to anchor a solid defense. Choate is a linebacker coach by trait and can likely help Watts get better at being in a position to make plays in the running game.
1) Michael Coats Jr., CB
Michael Coates Jr. was an unsung hero last year because he didn’t have the elite stats, but quarterbacks really struggled to throw on him. He gave up just 84 yards all season as the primary defender and didn’t give up a touchdown all year, allowing a measly 37.5 passer rating to opposition quarterbacks.
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