Nevada

What You Need To Know

Nevada returns all of the components of their potent rushing game:  multi-dimensional QB Colin Kaepernick, RBs Vai Taua and Luke Lippincott (granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA), and most of the offensive line. 

With the departure of their two top receivers, the Nevada offense is looking for someone to step into the shoes of graduating seniors Mike McCoy and Marko Mitchell. The two combined for 1733 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns in 2008. So far, the leading candidates to fill that void are Chris Wellington and Brandon Wimberly.

Best Fantasy Prospect(s)

QB Colin Kaepernick is leading the prolific Pistol Offense for a third straight year.  By passing for for 2,849 yards and 22 TDs and rushing for 1,130 and another 17 scores, he was named the WAC’s 2008 Offensive Player of the Year.  He will be on or near the top of everyone’s draft board.

In 2007, Luke Lippincott led the WAC in rushing.  He was injured early in 2008 and Vai Taua took over and had a huge seaseon.  Heading into spring ball, (before Lippincott was granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA), Taua figured to be a Top 10-15 fantasy RB.  Now, his value is difficult to determine.  In Lippincott’s absence, Taua accounted for a whopping 1,750 yards from scrimmage with 18 TDs.  Ironically, those were nearly identical stats to what Lippincott produced in 2007.  With both players sharing the carries, and a running QB in the mix, expect a big dip in production from both prospects this fall.  Taua is certainly draft-worthy in the middle rounds, but he will likely go much higher than that.  Lippincott is also worth drafting as a reserve RB in All-120 leagues.

Sleeper Prospect

WRs Brandon Wimblerly and Chris Wellington are worth keeping an eye on. Wellington had somewhat of a breakout season in 2008 and will be counted on to take the next step this year. He is poised to step into a starting role in the wide open offense.  Wimberly had a tremendous spring camp that had his teammates buzzing.

In our interview with Colin Kaepernick, the QB touted the spring play of TE Virgil Green.  Green may be worth waiver wire consideration during the fall.

Biggest Question Heading into August

How will the RB position shake out?  Nevada rushed for 3,600 yards as a team in 2008.  Give 1,000 of those to Kaepernick, and another 600-700 to RB reserves and WRs, and you are left with 1,900 yards.  If the split is 60/40 for Taua, you’re looking at 1,100 rushing yards for Taua and 800 for Lippincott.  This could be a big headache for fantasy owners expecting another breakout season for one of these backs.  Draft wisely.

Spring Game Hero

TE Virgil Green had a nice game, catching 3 balls for 91 yards, including two long touchdown snags.

Injury Report

QB Colin Kaepernick was held out of contact drills during the spring.  The move was precautionary in nature as he was recovering from an ankle injury suffered during the Humanitarian Bowl. All signs point to him being perfectly healthy before the kick off with Notre Dame on September 5th.

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