Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Moapa Valley’s Hubert commits on same day as being offered by Utah

Moapa Valley Defeats Desert Pines State Football

L.E. Baskow

Moapa Valley’s Rj Hubert #11and Chace Traasdahl #25 celebrate their overtime tie during the Division I-A state high school football championship game on Saturday, November 22, 2014.

RJ Hubert is widely considered one of the best high school football players in Southern Nevada.

It’s just that in Overton, where he stars at wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner for Moapa Valley High, colleges coaches don’t frequently make the one hour drive from Las Vegas to recruit.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Hubert still managed to find a college home. And a good one.

He verbally committed to the University of Utah today — the same day the Utes offered a scholarship. His other offers were from Army, Northern Arizona, UNR and Weber State.

Grabbing a scholarship offer from Utah of the Pac-12 Conference, a top-25 program, was not only a big-time accomplishment for Hubert. It’s also significant for Moapa Valley, the defending state champions who have produced a Division-I recruit in each of the past three seasons.

“If you can play, they will find you,” Hubert said.

Last year, he caught 49 passes for 964 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense, and recorded 71 tackles and six interceptions on defense. He also had about 600 return yards.

With opposing coaches determined this season to not let Hubert beat them, Moapa Valley has been creative in getting him the ball. On kickoffs, the ball is usually kicked away from Hubert, but teammates quickly lateral the ball back for him to return.

Last week against Legacy, a large-school opponent, Hubert had nine rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Through five games, he has 11 touchdowns.

He was recruited to play wide receiver at Utah.

“This is all pretty awesome,” he said.

Verbal commitments are nonbinding until national signing day in early February. That means Hubert can still be recruited by other schools.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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