Report: Nevada's Chubba Purdy, Brother of 49ers' Brock, Enters CFB Transfer Portal
Dec 3, 2024
HONOLULU, HAWAII - OCTOBER 26: Chubba Purdy #13 of the Nevada Wolfpack runs the ball as he is flushed from the pocket during the first half of the game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on October 26, 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
Nevada quarterback Chubba Purdy, the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Brock Purdy, has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer.
Pete Nakos of On3 reported the news on Purdy, who has previously been enrolled at Florida State and Nebraska.
The 6'3", 218-pound Purdy made one start in 2024, completing 13-of-18 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 34-13 road loss to Hawai'i. He also rushed for 41 yards.
Purdy was once a 4-star recruit in the class of 2020. 247Sports ranked Purdy as the No. 7 dual-threat quarterback in his class.
He played for Gilbert High School in Perry, Arizona before committing to Florida State. Purdy had previously committed to Louisville before changing course and choosing FSU.
In Nov. 2021, Purdy entered the transfer portal before heading to Nebraska in January 2022. In Dec. 2023, Purdy hit the portal again, this time choosing Nevada in Jan. 2024.
Over his five collegiate seasons, Purdy has completed 103-of-188 passes (54.8 percent) for 1,085 yards (5.8 yards per attempt), seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.
He's also rushed for 375 yards and three scores. Purdy's wheels were clearly evident for Nebraska last season, when he rushed for a 55-yard touchdown against Wisconsin in a Nov. 18, 2023 game.
Purdy made two starts for the 2023 Cornhuskers, completing 30-of-52 passes for 358 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 157 yards and a score on 26 attempts.
Purdy now has one more year of collegiate eligibility as he searches for a place where he can potentially be QB1.
Chubba Purdy, Brother of 49ers' Brock, Flips Transfer Commitment to Nevada from SJSU
Jan 22, 2024
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Chubba Purdy #12 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers fumbles against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Chubba Purdy is still heading to the Mountain West, albeit with a different program.
The 22-year-old quarterback, who is the brother of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, had originally committed to San Jose State for the 2024 season out of the transfer portal. However, he announced on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that he had flipped his commitment to Nevada on Monday.
He is the fifth transfer portal pickup for the Wolfpack this season under new head coach Jeff Choate. The decision comes after San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan left the program to take the same position at Arizona.
Purdy has been around the block on the collegiate football landscape. He began his career at Florida State before transferring to Nebraska ahead of the 2022 season. He spent two seasons there before electing to transfer to San Jose State in January.
Instead, he will now be going to help revitalize a Nevada program that struggled in 2023. The Wolf Pack went 2-10 last season, with the only wins coming against New Mexico and San Diego State. It was the second consecutive below .500 season for the Wolf Pack, and the program will hope Purdy can change that.
While he has never served an entire season as a team's starter, he has seen action in the last four collegiate seasons. He has thrown for 846 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions during the four seasons. This has all come within a major conference program, so the hope is that he can excel against Group of Five competition.
Carson Strong NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Nevada QB
Feb 24, 2022
MANHATTAN, KS - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Carson Strong #12 of the Nevada Wolf Pack warms up before a game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'3 3/8"
WEIGHT: 226
HAND: 9 1/8"
ARM: 32"
WINGSPAN: 6'4"
40-YARD DASH: DNP
3-CONE: DNP
SHUTTLE: DNP
VERTICAL: DNP
BROAD: DNP
POSITIVES
— Good height and size for the position.
— Shows a great understanding of concepts and game situation. Willing to pepper throws underneath but will push the ball when opportunities present themselves.
— Good accuracy at all three levels. Can change arm slots and is able to get the ball out quickly versus pressure or on quick-hitting passes.
— Above-average arm strength. Flashes the ability to throw with anticipation on intermediate throws to maximize his arm talent.
—.Has good feel in the pocket. Willing to cheat to a side to deliver a throw.
NEGATIVES
— Below-average athlete with medical concerns. Struggles to create in tight pockets and extend plays.
— Inconsistent on his progression if his pre-snap read isn’t open.
— Benefitted from clean pockets versus only three pass-rushers.
— Can take a hitch too long when getting rid of the throw and make him late on throws.
— Missed senior year of high school due to knee injury.
OVERALL
Carson Strong is a good-sized quarterback who constantly displays an understanding of the concept being run and his own strengths and limitations.
Strong benefited at Nevada from a traditional Air Raid attack with spread-out formations, but he was a great operator of that offense. He is accurate at all three levels and knows what each concept attempts to accomplish. He constantly finds answers for whatever the defense shows him by getting the ball out quickly and changing his arm slots to do so.
Strong will push the ball when he has to, but he's sometimes too willing to take underneath options. He flashes the ability to drive throws in and will test defenses over the top, but he has overall above-average arm strength at all three levels, which might cause him to be gun-shy.
Strong shows good feel in the pocket to navigate himself away from the pass rush, but he will cheat toward his target to overcome any arm strength deficiencies. Defenses often dropped eight defenders into coverage against Nevada’s offense, and he got to enjoy roomy pockets to maneuver in. His tendency to work into throws might not be as easy to accomplish in the NFL in tighter pockets and with faster defenders.
Strong is a below-average athlete who struggles to get away from defenders in the pocket or as a scrambler. But he also understands what he is and tries to overcome it as much as possible by using pocket movement and the ability to quickly deliver the ball.
At times, Strong can take a bounce too many when hitching on his dropback, which can cause him to be late. He can overcome this at times with his accuracy, but it will be a big adjustment for him in the NFL. This issue can also crop up when he attempts to push the ball deep or toward the sideline. He's sometimes a hair too late, which forces his receiver to slow down for the ball or run out of room.
Overall, Strong has the size and mental processing of an NFL starter. He finds ways to get rid of the ball and his eyes consistently go to the right place, no matter the concept being run. But his athletic and arm limitations are hard to overlook.
While he has the size and toughness to stand strong, he has trouble maneuvering away from defenders near him in the pocket because of his lack of speed and stiff running style. He shows the ability to throw the ball off-platform, but he lacked the ability to create at the college level. Things will only get tougher against NFL defenders.
Strong is accurate at all three levels, but he doesn’t have overwhelming arm strength. Instead, he shows more flashes than the consistent ability to drive the ball.
Teams will appreciate Strong because of his understanding of various pass concepts and accuracy, but his limitations will make it hard for him to win week-to-week as a starter. But he could do well as a high-end backup with the ability to make spot starts in a pinch.
Carson Strong Shines as Nevada Beats Tulane in 2020 Idaho Potato Bowl
Dec 22, 2020
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong (12) plays against San Jose State during an NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Nevada head coach Jay Norvell had to watch Ohio head coach Frank Solich land on the receiving end of a french fry bath when his team fell on the losing side of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl last season, but it was his turn to celebrate after the Wolf Pack defeated Tulane 38-27 on Tuesday.
Quarterback Carson Strong, a redshirt sophomore, didn't waste any time in showing up against Tulane. He completed three first-half touchdown passes to help give the Wolf Pack a 26-7 lead at the break.
Tulane staged a third-quarter comeback, scoring 13 points, but it was too late for the Green Wave, who struggled from the start without multiple top players. The team traveled to Boise without Patrick Johnson, who is the school's all-time leader in sacks and an American Athletic Conference first-teamer, after he attended the funeral of his father last week.
On offense, leading receiver Duece Watts did not play.
Tulane found its first points on a 41-yard pass from Michael Pratt to Jha'Quan Jackson. But just as quickly as Tulane got itself back in play, Toa Taua found the end zone with a 50-yard run on fourth down for his second score of the game.
Pratt couldn't get out of his own way for the rest of the first half, tossing his second interception of the day to end what had been Tulane's best drive of the game. Before the pick, which came with 3:29 left to play in the half, the Green Wave offense traveled 69 yards and ate 4:15 off the clock.
The second half, however, presented a turnaround. Pratt redeemed himself with a six-yard rush that cut Nevada's lead in half at the start of the third quarter.
Needless to say this first half wasn't super swell for Tulane. Down 26-7 at halftime to Nevada.
Jackson scored again to help diminish the lead to just six, but Pratt, after throwing three interceptions compared to five all season, couldn't bring the Green Wave back for the victory as a 12-point fourth for Nevada sealed the deal.
Notable Performers
Carson Strong, QB, Nevada: 22-of-28 passing, 271 yards, five TDs
Toa Taua, RB, Nevada: 20 carries, 102 yards, TD; six receptions, 77 yards, TD
Jha'Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane: two receptions, 69 yards, two TDs
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane: 168 passing yards (12-of-25, two TDs, three INTs), 25 rushing yards (18 carries, TD)
Carson's Strong Season
Strong led the Mountain West Conference with 2,587 yards and 22 touchdown passes during the regular season, topping a redshirt freshman campaign where he started in 10 games and threw for 2,335 yards and 11 touchdowns with a 63.4 completion percentage.
His last outing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was also strong, when he threw for 402 yards with 31 completions, which were school bowl game records. That career-best stat line was a sign of things to come this season. In the season-opener against Wyoming, he threw for 420 yards.
Though he redshirted as a freshman in 2018, the California native was the foundation of a group that ushered in the current era of Nevada football under Norvell. He was the first player in that recruiting class to commit to the Wolf Pack, making his debut the same year that Nevada had 10 players selected for postseason awards amid an eight-win season.
The quarterback's consistency from 2019 through this season is a reassuring sign, and the Wolf Pack should be in good hands again with Strong returning next season.
Michael Pratt's Unexpected Arrival
Pratt, a true freshman and former 3-star recruit, was behind redshirt senior and former Southern Mississippi signal-caller Keon Howard on the depth chart. But after Howard's slow start to the season, Pratt got the call, and he ended the season with 18 touchdown passes, leading all true freshmen on FBS teams.
Most of Tulane's offense has come from rushing this season, with 2,408 yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground compared to 1,952 and 19 touchdowns through the air, but Pratt is a reliable passer and could turn that Green Wave offense into a dual-threat force in the coming seasons as he matures and adjusts to the collegiate game.
Colin Kaepernick Named to University of Nevada Athletics HOF's 2020 Class
Oct 23, 2020
Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback Colin Kaepernick celebrates with fans as he leaves the field after a 34-31overtime win over Boise State during the NCAA college football game Friday night, Nov. 26, 2010, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)
On Friday, the University of Nevada announced its 2020 athletics Hall of Fame inductees, and Kaepernick highlighted a group that included three football players, two men's basketball players and one women's basketball player.
Here is a look at the entire list:
Luke Babbitt: Men's Basketball (2008-10)
Dellena Criner: Women's Basketball (2005-09)
Armon Johnson: Men's Basketball (2007-10)
Colin Kaepernick: Football (2006-10)
Dontay Moch: Football (2006-10)
Vai Taua: Football (2006-10)
"The 2020 Hall of Fame class represents some of the best of the best in Wolf Pack history," athletic director Doug Knuth said. "This is an incredible collection of accomplished student-athletes and we can't wait for the opportunity to welcome them back to campus and celebrate their careers."
The announcement explained there will not be a traditional induction dinner during the fall because of COVID-19 restrictions, but the plan is to celebrate the class when it is safe.
Kaepernick was the star of Nevada's so-called 2010 "Dream Team" that went 13-1 with victories over Cal, BYU, Utah State, Fresno State and Boise State before it defeated Boston College in the Fight Hunger Bowl.
The win over Boise State was particularly notable, as Kaepernick threw for 259 yards, ran for 45 and accounted for two touchdowns in the 34-31 overtime win over the Broncos, who were No. 3 in the country at the time.
Kaepernick finished in eighth place in Heisman Trophyvotingthat year after racking up 3,022 passing yards, 1,206 rushing yards and 41 total touchdowns. He won the WAC Offensive Player of the Year, which he also took home in 2008.
In all, Kaepernick finished his illustrious collegiate career with 10,098 passing yards, 4,112 rushing yards and 142 total touchdowns.
The San Francisco 49ers selected him with a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft, and he eventually led them to the Super Bowl and NFC Championship Game in back-to-back years during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
While Kaepernick, who made headlines for protesting systemic racism and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem as a player, is just 32 years old and threw for 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2016, no NFL team has signed him since he opted out of his contract following that campaign.
'Last Chance U' Alum Malik Henry Was Dropping Dimes in His 1st FBS Start
Oct 15, 2019
BR Video
Last Chance U alum Malik Henry was dropping dimes in his first FBS start. The quarterback originally committed to Florida State but left the program without taking a snap. After being featured on the show, he found a home at Nevada.
Watch the video above for more about Henry's journey.
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Former Florida State QB, 'Last Chance U' Star Malik Henry Commits to Nevada
Jan 9, 2019
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Malik Henry #6 of the Florida State Seminoles before the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 1, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. North Carolina upset the 12th ranked Florida State 37 to 35. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
The Nevada Wolf Pack will have a Netflix star in their quarterbacks room next season.
Nevada head coach Jay Norvell said Tuesday on NSN Daily (h/t Chris Murray of Nevada SportsNet) that quarterback Malik Henry will join the team as a walk-on. Henry was a featured player on Netflix's Last Chance U documentary series when he was enrolled at Independence Community College.
Henry was a highly regarded recruit in the class of 2016 who chose Florida State over power-conference programs such as Notre Dame and USC. He was a 4-star prospect and the No. 49 overall player in his class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, but he never appeared in a game for the Seminoles.
Henry was briefly suspended in August of his freshman year, and in December 2016 he transferred to Independence. Per Murray, he threw for 1,383 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in the 2017 season that was filmed for the Netflix show. In 2018, he threw for 237 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
"He has been humbled, and I think he wanted to come back on the West Coast and have an opportunity to resurrect his career," Norvell said on NSN Daily. "We're going to give him that opportunity."
While Henry played in just two games in 2018, he was a 3-star junior college prospect according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
According to Murray, senior Cristian Solano and redshirt freshman Carson Strong are the front-runners in the Nevada quarterback competition, but Henry figures to have the opportunity to compete after choosing the Wolf Pack as his next stop.
9-Year-Old Havon Finney Jr. Receives Football Scholarship Offer from Nevada
Jun 24, 2017
A field goal attempt hits the upright in the second half of an NCAA college football game between Vanderbilt and Missouri Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. Vanderbilt won 10-3. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The University of Nevada made waves Wednesday by offering nine-year-old Los Angeles native Havon Finney Jr. a football scholarship.
Finney's trainer, former Louisville defensive back Mike Evans, tweeted about the offer:
— Lacedfacts Dreams (@LacedfactDreams) June 21, 2017
Evans told Chris Hummer of 247Sports that the offer came in for Finney after a Nevada assistant coach saw some of his highlight videos.
Another one of Evans' clients, 10-year-old Bunchie Young, recently received an offer from Illinois as well.
Evans believes it is already clear that both Finney and Young project to be high-level athletes when the time finally comes for them to attend college: "I've seen so many players in my time. ... These kids aren't going to be short. Genetically they have the size of pro athletes. The things they do right now, they're already on high school level IQ-wise."
Although there are differing opinions regarding whether the recent trend of offering young children scholarships is a good thing, Evans told Hummer that it is positive since it will motivate them to continue working hard.
Nevada failed to reach a bowl game last season, but the Wolf Pack have consistently been among the best non-power-conference teams in the nation over the past decade, reaching a bowl every year from 2005 through 2012.
College Football: Exclusive Interview with Nevada Head Coach Chris Ault
Feb 9, 2013
The meteoric rise of San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick to star status brought considerable media exposure to Nevada head coach Chris Ault and his pistol offense.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Ault is best known for the innovative offensive scheme he invented and for grooming Kaepernick into an NFL quality QB. Kaepernick, said Ault, is the "fiercest competitor I have ever coached".
But there is much more to this man.
Ault recently retired after 41 remarkable years at Nevada. During his tenure, he restored the program to a measure of greatness.
Ault came to the University of Nevada-Reno in 1965 as a quarterback. He became head coach in 1976 after a stint at UNLV as an assistant. Ault took Nevada from non-conference NCAA ll affiliation into the Big Sky Conference.
After dominating Division 1-AA with three undefeated seasons and playing for the national championship in 1990, Ault led the transition to Division 1-A (now FBS) in the Big West Conference, earning a bowl berth in his first year.
A decade in the Western Athletic Conference followed, and several championships later, the Wolf Pack had arguably its greatest season in 2010, going 13-1. With wins over Cal and Boise State and a bowl victory over Boston College, Nevada was ranked 11th by the AP.
Between stints as Nevada's coach and athletic director, Ault has accomplished much for the university.
As an AD, Ault said last week that he was most proud of Nevada's "unprecedented growth of Intercollegiate athletics from 1986-2004". As a coach, Ault said he was most proud of "being the link that had the opportunity to unite the past with the present and grow our football tradition."
When asked what his greatest achievements were, he said, "Having been at the university for such a long tenure, there is one thing that is clear. Any success that I enjoyed was because of the efforts of many around me. In my mind it was more of an our thing than an I thing."
When pressed, he cited three accomplishments.
First, during his time as AD, Nevada was recognized as the No. 1 university in the nation in the promotion and funding of gender equity. Second was his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, which was meaningful to him because it was "a direct reflection of the success of the first 19 teams I coached.''
And third was the invention of the pistol offense "and the eight teams that were involved in that process which gave our university, community and football program unimaginable national attention.''
Asked about the future of Nevada football, Ault said "that's hard to say. Probably the best way to answer is by saying a blueprint for success has been laid and is very sustainable. I remain optimistic."
Nevada has come a long way under Ault. His shoes will be hard to fill.
