RECRUITING: Palo Verde linebacker Nobriga to visit Colorado

Palo Verde senior football player Liloa Nobriga said Wednesday he is scheduled to make an official visit to Colorado the weekend of Jan. 16 to 18.

Nobriga, a 6-foot-3-inch, 235-pound linebacker, already has visited Hawaii and Utah. He also has an offer from UNLV.

“I’m looking forward to it a lot,” Nobriga said of visiting Colorado. “It’s the Big 12, a big conference, big games. I’m really excited for the trip.”

Nobriga said college coaches have mostly told him he will play outside linebacker at the next level, though Utah indicated it could play him some at defensive end because of his pass-rushing ability.

“I may grow to be 265 (pounds),” Nobriga said of possibly playing defensive end. “Whatever happens. Right now, I’m a linebacker.”

Nobriga said he is “still open, still not 100 percent sure” of where he wants to sign Feb. 4, but that the decision will come down to academics first, football second and community surrounding the school third.

“I’m pretty sure after (visiting) Colorado, I’ll find out where I want to go,” he said.

Nobriga had 185 tackles, four sacks and one interception this season in helping Palo Verde finish 14-1 with its only loss coming 13-12 to McQueen in the Class 4A state title game. He also was an offensive lineman and punter for the Panthers.

Wherever Nobriga ends up, he is likely to become the second Palo Verde senior to commit to a Football Bowl Subdivision program this year.

Panthers cornerback Torin Harris orally committed to Southern California in June, and at least three other Palo Verde seniors have drawn some major recruiting interest.

“The program produces a lot of athletes,” Nobriga said. “It’s a real tradition at Palo Verde.”

GORMAN QUARTET IN ALL-STAR GAMES — Four Bishop Gorman seniors are set to play in postseason all-star games this weekend.

Defensive end Justin Chaisson began practicing Wednesday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., for Sunday’s Under Armour All-America Game, Gorman coach Bob Altshuler said.

Chaisson was one of 82 players selected for the game, which will be televised from the Florida Citrus Bowl at 5 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.

Three Gorman players — cornerback Charles Childers, safety John Therrell and offensive tackle Sam Womack — are set to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl on Friday at Coastal Carolina’s Brooks Stadium. The game will be televised at 2 p.m. on Fox College Sports.

Chaisson has committed to Oklahoma, and both Childers and Therrell are headed to UNLV. Womack is yet to decide but has drawn interest from Navy, Oregon and UNLV, Altshuler said.

“I couldn’t be any more happier for the kids,” Altshuler said. “It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime shot.”

Altshuler said the bowl games are not as much about recruiting as they are ending high school careers in a celebratory manner.

“At this point, the kids have a good idea of where they’re going to go,” he said. “To get the recognition, to participate with other kids throughout the country, it builds new experiences and friends.”

All four players will be coached at the games by some big names.

Chaisson’s head coach for the White team will be Pro Football Hall of Fame member Marv Levy.

Childers, Therrell and Womack will play for West team head coach Terry Kirby, an NFL running back for 10 seasons.

VISITS FOR SPERRY — Faith Lutheran senior receiver/safety David Sperry is slated to visit Navy and San Diego in January, Crusaders coach Jacob Kothe said.

The 5-10, 160-pound Sperry caught 35 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns this season, and passed for 134 yards and two scores. On defense, he had 44 tackles and three interceptions.

OTTESON SHINES AT CAMP — Tonopah junior kicker Denver Otteson may have raised his stock at a Max Zendejas camp in Mesa, Ariz., on Saturday.

Otteson missed only one field goal and hit a 50-yarder in the high school division to take first place.

Competing against a field that included college kickers such as Arizona State’s Zach Richards and Arizona’s Alex Zendejas, Otteson hit a 48-yarder and finished 4-for-7 on field-goal attempts.

Otteson was 4-for-5 in field goals and 38-for-40 on extra points this season. He also starred at running back and cornerback, helping the Muckers finish 8-4 and as the Class 1A state runner-up.

Both Otteson and Green Valley junior kicker Nolan Kohorst are scheduled to compete in the Chris Sailer Kicking Nike National Kicking and Snapping Event from Jan. 17 to 19 at UNLV.