Nevada football recruits getting interest from FCS schools

Bishop Manogue (Reno) lineman Alex Eekhoff became the first football player from northern Nevada to make a verbal commitment, selecting Montana State, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Eekhoff chose the Football Championship Subdivision Bobcats over offers from Nevada and UNLV. The first day he can sign a letter of intent is Feb. 2.

Eekhoff, who was an honorable mention selection by the Northern 4A League coaches, played both offensive and defensive line at Manogue. However, he will concentrate on the offensive side of the ball at Montana State.

MaxPreps' Nevada all-league football teams

MILES KILLEBREW BECOMES YET ANOTHER VEGAS PRODUCT TO GO WITH SOUTHERN UTAH
Foothill (Henderson) defensive back Miles Killebrew became the latest player from the Las Vegas area to commit to Southern Utah, choosing the Thunderbirds over interest from Weber State and the University of San Diego.

In 2010, Southern Utah featured 11 players on its roster who hail from southern Nevada. Killebrew is the second player from the Class of 2011 to commit to the school in Cedar City, Utah, joining Agassi Prep (Las Vegas) cornerback LeShaun Sims.

"They love the Vegas area, so it was nice to go up there and see guys I've competed against," Killebrew told Nevadapreps.com. "It was influential in my decision."

Killebrew earned first-team All-Southeast League honors as a senior as he made 47 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions to help Foothill advance to the Sunrise Region semifinals. The 6-2, 185-pound Killebrew was recruited as a cornerback but could eventually move to safety or even outside linebacker based on how much he grows.

"It was very welcoming," Killebrew told Nevadapreps.com of his visit to Southern Utah. "They took us under their wing, showed us campus and we saw what the coaches are like. I just loved the environment."

JON PARKER TO VISIT ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Carson (Carson City) tight end/defensive end Jon Parker will make an official visit to Division II Abilene Christian this weekend.

Parker has already made official visits to Nevada and UNLV. Nevada and Abilene are recruiting the 6-4, 230-pound Parker as a tight end while the Rebels are looking at him on the defensive side of the ball. Parker had 11 catches for 108 yards and two scores, and also carried 45 times for 274 yards and six touchdowns. On defense he recorded 80 tackles and five sacks.

DEREK SANCHEZ PLANS TO VISIT ARMY, NEVADA OFFERS NICK PALKO WALK-ON CHANCE
Bishop Manogue linebacker Derek Sanchez will visit Army at the end of the month and North Valleys (Reno) wide receiver Nick Palko has been invited to walk on at Nevada, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Palko, who might opt to attend junior college, finished the season with 80 receptions for 1,162 yards and 17 touchdowns. Also, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) senior defensive end Bryson Mook visited Northern Arizona last weekend.

CASTRO TAKES OVER AT GREEN VALLEY
Longtime assistant Brian Castro was named the new football coach at Green Valley (Henderson), replacing Matt Gerber.

Castro has been on the Gators' staff for the last eight years, the final three of which were spent as the offensive coordinator. He is a former offensive lineman at UNLV and played on the Rebels' 1994 Las Vegas Bowl-winning team.

"I've worked with some good people over the years and saw things done the right way, the way they should be done," Castro told the Las Vegas Sun. "I'm going to build on that and put my personal spin on it."