QUARTERBACK
No question about it…the Big Man on the Reno campus is Colin Kaepernick, the reigning WAC Offensive Player of the Year. His strong arm and quick feet created just the fifth QB in NCAA Division I-A (FBS) history to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season. “Electric” describes his ability to make all around him perform to their collective potential(s). This “Pistol Offense” is geared for Kaepernick's skills with three receiver sets and a creative form of the shotgun being the norm. A major priority this spring was the development of the signal callers behind him. Last year's prime back up ,Nick Graziano, transferred to Arkansas State. With Kaepernick taking time off during spring ball due to an ankle injury suffered in the Humanitarian Bowl, two sophomores got plenty of time on the field under center. Luke Collis and Tyler Lantrip each saw brief playing time last season. Lantrip, who was recruited by Arizona State and Stanford, looks to have a leg up and seems to have the stronger, more precise arm. While the overall numbers for Kaepernick are astounding, the passing game has plenty of room to grow. As a team, the Pack completed only 53.6 percent of their passes last fall. To take the next step, the passing game has to get more consistent.

RUNNING BACK
Depth certainly won't be the problem as First Team All-WAC selection Vai Taua returns with a strong stable of ball carriers behind him that goes five deep. Taua entered last season fourth on the depth chart only to explode on the national scene in this offensive system while leading the conference with 1,521 yards rushing. The hard-nosed runner has put his name on the map as one of the best rushers on the West Coast. If he was not enough, Luke Lippincott has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. How beneficial is this offense for running backs? Lippincott was the WAC rushing leader in 2007 but missed almost all of last year with an injury that opened the door for Taua. Courtney Randall and Brandon Fragger are both good enough to see bunches of carries as well. Keep an eye on wild card redshirt frosh Mike Ball, who is also pushing for serious playing time.

RECEIVER
If the passing game is going to become more of a threat, Chris Wellington, who had somewhat of a breakout season a year ago, has to now embrace the ‘go-to guy’ role. The loss of top catchers Mitchell and McCoy forces a good many of the younger Wolf Pack into immediate action. Four of those new faces are likely to make an impact. Malcolm Shepherd and Brandon Wimberly are coming off redshirt campaigns. Wimberly is a former Oregon State grayshirt who was the offensive scout team MVP in 2008. He is starting to show promise in this offense. Two other competitors that will push for a share of snaps, Maurice Patterson and L.J. Washington, transferred into the program. Although plenty of optimism exists, somebody outside of Wellington will have plenty of opportunity to demonstrate more than just gifted practice skills.

OFFENSIVE LINE / TIGHT END
The good news is that the anchors on the outside are back in place. Tackles Alonzo Durham and Mike Gallett started every game last season and were good enough to be recognized as All-WAC selections. They have the potential to be the best linemen in the conference. Two other full/part-time starters return as well in Bender and Ackerman, who can play guard but is currently penciled in at center. This is a veteran group that helped produce the nation's third ranked rushing attack. The lone underclassman on the starting front is Kevin Barker, who coaches felt was good enough to play as a true frosh last fall had he been needed. The bad news is that depth is a major concern, especially at center. The Union, as this OL is labeled, may not be quite as strong (yet) as it was a year ago but looks like it could equal former success(es) if a few other players (Silatolu and Acuna) step up to provide quality depth. Tight ends are not a big part of the passing attack. TEs Virgil Green and Kevin Bohr logged significant starts but managed only 15 receptions between them. Bohr returns as a senior after missing half of the season with an knee injury. Their experience is a plus when grading this group.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Two of the better players on the team are bookends Kevin Basped and Dontay Moch, a pair of junior All-WAC honorees who combined for 36 tackles-for-loss a year ago. The "Pillars of Pass Rush" were ranked first and second, respectively, in conference sacks. Basped ranked 15th nationally in sack totals and has a 6'6 frame capable of making life miserable for opposing blockers. Moch transferred here from his linebacker position of 2007. He is a pure speed rusher off the edge, not surprising since he was state 200m champ as a prep sprinter. The outlook is not as positive in the middle; coaches still struggle to find a hole-plugger to replace the graduated Mundrae Clifton. This bunch was one of the nation's best at stopping the run statistically (6th ranked). DT Nate Agaiava earned 12 starts but he will need help inside from some of the new faces. Wesley Hollingshed is a true freshman with ample potential that should make an early impact.

LINEBACKER
Senior middle backer Mike Bethea is emerging as a defensive leader. He impressed as a JUCO-transfer last year on the weakside despite battling a foot injury. A new face to the corps will be Kevin Grimes who played extensively at safety last season. James-Michael Johnson recorded one of the best seasons among freshmen on the roster, and Brandon Marshall is also coming off of a solid underclassmen campaign. Two transfers are likely to shake up the depth chart in Andre Davis (Western Washington) and Kaelin Burnett (Delta State). The brother of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Kevin Burnett, Kaelin suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out this spring. Still, he has shown the ability to find time with this group. The influx of talent offers a degree of optimism, but has yet to prove any actual on-the-field results. Hopefully, one of them can cover a receiver.

DEFENSIVE BACK
Reno, we have a problem. The nation's 119th ranked pass defense is still very unsettled. Upwards of six different players could wind up being starters, or, at least, join the rotation at some point of the season as the struggles likely continue. About the only thing that appears certain is that CB Antoine Thompson and safety Jonathon Amaya will be fixtures. Amaya is the returning team leader in both tackles and interceptions. Everything else is wide open, especially at the other corner. One of the main participants here, Mike Evans, missed spring camp recovering from a knee injury. An aspect that could change this group's fortunes is that Nevada reeled in eight defensive backs last year and redshirted most of them. So depth on the corner is available, it's just a matter of someone assuming a steady/productive role. This will not be the case at safety, where the Pack can least afford injuries due to a major lack of quality, available bodies.