It’s been said that the quarterback of the defense is a linebacker.
In Southern Nevada, several standout linebackers run some of the state’s best defenses.
Here is a look at the top five returning high school football linebackers in Southern Nevada entering the season. (Players are listed in alphabetical order).
Iyan Bosket, Pahrump Valley
Division I college programs will find talent, and for San Diego State that meant looking in Pahrump to find one of its future defenders. Bosket, listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, committed to San Diego State in June and had other notable Division I offers from Oregon State, Colorado State and Sacramento State. Bosket was a first-team 3A Southern League selection by the coaches last season as a junior, when he posted 69 tackles, 11 for loss, and five sacks. Bosket has 182 total tackles in his high school career. In February, Bosket won the 3A wrestling state title at 215 pounds.
Tamatoa Gaoteote, Bishop Gorman
With all of the talented defenders at Bishop Gorman, Gaoteote is one of the rare four-year starters/contributors for the Gaels. As a junior last year, Gaoteote had 117 tackles, 17 for loss and three sacks while helping Gorman allow just 64 points in 12 games in 2025. Gaoteote was a first-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada linebacker and a first-team 5A Desert League selection by the coaches. Gaoteote, listed at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, has Division I offers from UNLV, Hawaii, Washington State, Colorado State, New Mexico and UNR.
Pierce Lepisi, Liberty
Lepisi helped anchor a strong Liberty defense as a junior last season. Lepisi recorded 44 tackles, 13.5 for loss and six sacks in helping the Patriots go 9-2 and reach the Open Division state semifinals. Lepisi, listed at 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, was a first-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada linebacker and first-team 5A Lake League selection by the coaches.
Cooper Offerman, Faith Lutheran
Offerman shined as a sophomore on a strong Faith Lutheran defense that helped the Crusaders reach the 5A state title game for a third straight season. Offerman, listed at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, finished with 95 tackles, 24 for loss and eight sacks as an outside linebacker for the Crusaders.
Peyton Yandall, Mater East
Yandall had a breakout sophomore season in 2025. He recorded 88 tackles, 15 for loss, in 10 games last year at Desert Pines and was a second-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada selection and first-team 5A Mountain League linebacker. Yandall, listed at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, transferred to Mater East for his junior year. He has Division I offers from UTSA, Colorado State, Sacramento State, Portland State, Weber State and Northern Arizona.
Other names to watch: Kingston Buffington, Coronado; Glade Hales, Arbor View; Zechariah Johnson, Mojave; Kaleb Ross, SLAM! Nevada; Ja’Mire Ross, Desert Pines; Isaiah Ruiz, Shadow Ridge; Tyson Kame’e Sawyer-Mahoe, Sloan Canyon; Fia Taufa-Langi, Bishop Gorman; Aiden Webster, Liberty.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
