UNLV loses Gorman LB; pair of prep DBs commit
Linebacker Nela Otukolo said just more than a week ago he would lead the charge of football players from Bishop Gorman to UNLV.
His high school coach, Tony Sanchez, had made the move to UNLV, and Otukolo sounded excited to play for him again.
“I’m the first,” Otukolo said. “There’ll be a lot more coming.”
Otukolo (5 feet 11 inches, 240 pounds) has since had a change of heart, and he posted on Instagram on Sunday that he would choose between Boise State and Fresno State at 7 p.m. today. He didn’t explain reneging on his commitment to UNLV, and an attempt to reach him by phone was unsuccessful.
Losing Otukolo was a tough blow for the Rebels, who picked up the commitments of two high school defensive backs on the last weekend before signing day.
Safety Evan Austrie (6-0, 185) of Vallejo (Calif.) High and cornerback Jericho Flowers (6-0, 170) of Hamilton High in Los Angeles said they would sign with the Rebels.
“It’s a very emotional time,” Austrie said. “It’s a dream come true. All the hard work paid off.”
He said he was impressed with “the winning attitude Coach Sanchez brings and the whole staff. You can tell they want to change the culture and win championships.”
Austrie intercepted five passes and made 50 tackles (three for loss) last season at Vallejo.
Flowers also received a scholarship offer from Hawaii, according to Rivals.com.
This is Sanchez’s first recruiting class. He is not allowed under NCAA rules to comment on prospects until signing day on Wednesday.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.
