Top 10 Nevada HS football players in Class of 2023
LAS VEGAS (BVM) – With the 2022 football season about to begin, there are many standouts in Nevada’s high school Class of 2023. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) is home to quite a few of these standouts, including some of the best in the nation. Here, we’ll take a look at the top 10.
10. Jonah Leaea – LB, Bishop Gorman
Leaea is a 6-foot-4 linebacker with an impressive list of offers from 10 Division I schools such as Arizona and Cal. His large frame and ability to quickly evaluate the play make him a valuable asset to many college teams.
9. Zak Yamauchi – OL, Bishop Gorman
Yamauchi is ranked by 247Sports as the 61st best inside offensive lineman in the nation. With his 6-foot-5, 280-pound build, Yamauchi has an incredible ability to block and protect his quarterback. He received 13 offers and committed to Stanford on July 26th.
8. Will Stallings – RB, Bishop Gorman
Stallings is yet another athlete from the powerhouse football program of Bishop Gorman. He had a total of 714 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. Stallings received 14 offers but eventually decided on Tennessee where he will be one of nine new running backs on the Volunteers.
7. A.J. Fuimano – DL, Liberty
Fuimano is a 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman. His sheer size is enough to attract the attention from any college program. But his speed and agility are what attracted schools like UCLA to him. Fuimano has offers from UCLA, UH and UNLV. He is sure to be an incredible addition to any school whenever he decides to commit.
6. Elijha Payne – OL, Desert Pines
At an impressive 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Payne has made a name for himself in the Nevada high school football world. He is ranked by 247Sports as the 54th best offensive tackle in the nation. He received offers from 11 schools and eventually decided on Arizona. His explosiveness and quick feet are going to be very beneficial to the Wildcats’ offense.
5. Jeremiah Hughes – CB, Bishop Gorman
As a cornerback for Bishop Gorman, Hughes has made great leaps and bounds. He’s a 6-foot-1, 185-pound machine whose speed and versatility have made him stand out in the football world. He also competes in track and field. Hughes ran an impressive 22.80 200m dash and high jumped 6 feet, 2 inches his sophomore year. According to 247Sports composite, he is ranked the 64th cornerback in the nation. Hughes received offers from many schools such as LSU, Arkansas and Arizona but eventually chose LSU, his dream school. His athleticism will be sure to bring him success in his future.
4. Kodi Decambra – S, Bishop Gorman
Decambra is a stellar safety whose 4.53 40-yard dash and great instincts on the field will take him very far in his sport. The 6-foot, 175-pound athlete received 11 offers and committed to play for Oregon on May 30. Decambra is ranked by 247Sports composite as the 28th safety in the nation. His scouting report from Cooper Petagna describes him as a “versatile prospect that can play either safety position and add value as a man-to-man defender in the slot.” With his speed, agility and versatility, Decambra will make a great player for the Ducks.
3. Justyn Rhett – CB, Bishop Gorman
Yet another top 10 player from Bishop Gorman, Rhett earns the third spot. He is a 6-foot-1 cornerback with all the physical attributes that a team looks for in a cornerback. Rhett received offers from several college football powerhouses before committing to Notre Dame in December 2021. But in April of 2022, Rhett decommitted from Notre Dame to commit to Georgia. Rhett is ranked as the 15th best cornerback in the nation with great agility and zone coverage. He will be an incredible addition to the Bulldogs come fall 2023.
2. Kelze Howard – DL, Spring Valley
This defensive lineman would be intimidating to any offensive line. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he has the power and bulk that is needed for his position. He is ranked 34th in the nation, according to 247Sports composite. Howard committed to Oregon State, perhaps making him the best commit they’ve had so far. Howard possesses the kind of strength that the Beavers need. He will make a huge impact on the Beavers’ defense.
1. Zachariah Branch – WR, Bishop Gorman
Branch is by far the most impressive on this list. He is ranked as the number one wide receiver in the nation, with insane speed and hand-eye coordination. As a freshman, Branch played nine games on varsity and has only grown since. Branch is a multi-sport athlete who also competes in track and field. He won the 100m dash at the Nevada Southern 5A regional championships with an extremely impressive 10.33. With this speed, he was able to help lead his football team to the Nevada 5A championships in his junior year. Branch finished the year out with 48 catches for 1,094 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is committed to USC where he will be an incredible addition to the Trojans’ offense.
