STEPHEN SYLVANIE / SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Bishop Gorman Gaels linebacker Nela Otukolo, center, looks on with other defensive players while waiting for the call to go in during a team practice at Fertitta Field on Monday afternoon.
Monday, Feb. 2, 2015 | 7:30 p.m.
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Nela Otukolo called it a grown-man decision.
Would he play college football for the coach he was very fond of, or for the university where he felt at home?
Otukolo, the hard-hitting Bishop Gorman High linebacker, decided to follow his instincts, picking Fresno State tonight less than 24 hours removed from decommitting from UNLV and former Gorman coach Tony Sanchez.
“It was very difficult,” he messaged. “I respect him a lot (Sanchez). I’m grateful for all that he has ever done for me.”
The three-star prospect verbally committed to UNLV Jan. 23 because of his relationship with Sanchez and the pressure to be the first Gorman recruit. One of Gorman’s most respected players, he would start the pipeline from the six-time state champion to UNLV.
It was a perfect plan. Well, except it’s not what Otukolo wanted.
“My heart was always with Fresno,” he said. “But I felt like I would be letting a lot of people down if I didn’t go to UNLV.”
Sanchez, who posted an 85-5 record in six seasons at Gorman before leaving in December for UNLV, likely won’t have a Gorman player in his 2015 recruiting class.
Verbal commitments are nonbinding until a letter of intent is signed. Signing day is Wednesday.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
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