By Darrell Moody / Nevada Appeal
Carson High senior kicker Austin Pacheco has verbally committed to attend the University of Nevada next year to play football.
Pacheco, who was being recruited by four Division II schools as well as Fresno State, informed CHS coach Blair Roman of his decision earlier this week. He has not been offered a scholarship at Nevada, but will go into the program as a preferred walk-on.
Under NCAA rules, University of Nevada coaches are not allowed to comment until an agreement is signed. A verbal agreement is non-binding for either party.
Pacheco burst onto the national scene earlier this year when he kicked a game-winning 63-yard field goal to beat Bishop Manogue 27-24. The next week he beat Douglas with a field goal for the second straight season.
Pacheco averaged 56 yards on kick-offs, 40 yards per punt and 19 field goals over the last two seasons.
“It was a big decision,” Pacheco said Thursday night. “I talked to my family and a couple of other people. It's a chance to stay home (and play). I'm excited. I can't wait for the season to start.”
“I'm very happy for him,” said Carson coach Blair Roman. “Nevada indicated to me that they expect Austin to come in and compete right away. I'm happy for Austin. He's worked real hard. It's good to see him get an opportunity to compete at the Division I level.”
Pacheco said he had talks with Fresno State after former Pack assistant Cameron Norcross moved over to the Bulldogs. In the end, the Bulldogs decided to give a scholarship to a kicker from Arizona. Pacheco also said that Fresno State offered him a chance to walk on.
Carson kicking coach Jim de Arrieta said that Pacheco is the best kicker he's ever coached during his career, and has said “the sky is the limit.”
Pacheco is walking into a unique situation at Nevada. A year ago, the Pack used four different kickers/punters — junior-to-be Anthony Martinez from McQueen, sophomore-to-be Colin Ditsworth, senior Jake Hurst and senior-to-be Allen Hardison.
Martinez, who is on scholarship, suffered a hamstring injury which required surgery. It's not known how his recovery will be. He hit 3 of 5 field goals before going down for the season.
Hardison, who averaged 62.5 on kickoffs, made 8 of 11 field goals. Hurst converted 3 of 4 field goals and averaged 41.5 per punt. Ditsworth, whose longest field goal in high school was 50 yards, averaged 59 yards on 30 kickoffs last year. Logan Yunker and Chase Tenpenny are listed on the roster, but neither played last season.
The plus with Pacheco is that you get somebody who can place-kick, punt and kick off, though many schools use multiple kickers.
