Nevada’s football program has been buzzing about a name that appears on many preseason watchlists: Jeremy Naborne-Owens, a senior linebacker who has been tabbed as the ninth most influential player for the Wolf Pack’s 2026 campaign.
A Transfer That Turned Heads
The path that brought Naborne-Owens to Reno is anything but conventional. After a standout prep career in California, he originally committed to Fullerton College, where he earned all‑state honors as an inside linebacker, racking up 79 tackles over 19 games and posting 10.5 tackles for loss in 2024. His performance earned him a scholarship from Colorado State, but a mid‑season pivot saw him join the Wolf Pack, marking a rapid ascent from junior college to Division I.
First Year in the FBS
In his debut FBS season, Naborne-Owens logged 36 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks, numbers that immediately signaled his playmaking potential. Coaches have praised his blend of size, speed and instincts, traits that could reshape the middle of Nevada’s defense.
Competing for a Starting Role
The coaching staff has placed the 2026 season at the center of a strategic experiment: a more athletic, albeit less seasoned, linebacker corps. Naborne-Owens is slated to vie for a starting spot alongside returning anchor EJ Smith, a partnership that could give the Wolf Pack a dynamic duo at the heart of the defense.
Beyond individual statistics, his presence reflects a broader recruiting narrative. Nevada’s ability to attract a player of his caliber underscores the program’s upward trajectory and its ambition to compete in the Mountain West’s upper tier. The coaching staff believes that integrating a transfer with proven college experience will accelerate the development of younger teammates and provide stability as the team rebuilds.
If the early practice reports are any indication, the new‑look middle linebacker group could be the catalyst that pushes the Wolf Pack back into contention for a conference championship.