Who is all-time greatest Nevada high school football player?

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Nevada is not high school.

However, the state, known more for gambling due to Las Vegas, has produced its fair share of talent on the gridiron in high school athletics over the years.

Who is the all-time best Nevada high school football player?

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, that's the question USA TODAY Sports is looking to answer in celebration of the greatest American sports figures of all time, including high school athletes who shaped communities and defined their states.

With that in mind, here are our selections for the football players who defined Friday Night Lights in the Silver State. The 15 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts in the high school gridiron before playing at the next level.

Did we miss someone? There's a spot for you to write in your own candidate who wasn't included on our list of 15.

Seuseu Alofaituli, OL, Bishop Gorman

An offensive lineman to win Gatorade State Player of the Year honors? That's the kind of impact Alofaituli had during his high school career as a four-year starter at powerhouse Bishop Gorman. He did not surrender a sack during his junior season, as the Gaels went 11-1.

Zachariah Branch, WR, Bishop Gorman

Branch put together a dominant junior season, compiling 1,094 receiving yards on 48 receptions with 14 touchdowns and adding two punt returns for touchdowns. He earned 2021 MaxPreps Nevada Player of the Year honors. As a senior, he had 753 yards on 45 receptions with 11 touchdowns.

Frank Hawkins, RB, Western

Before becoming a legend with the University of Nevada and the Oakland Raiders, Hawkins was a force at running back for Western. He led the state in rushing for three straight seasons between 1974 and 1976, while also winning a state championship in wrestling.

Hassan Henderson, QB, Las Vegas

Henderson was a standout quarterback at Las Vegas High before converting to a wide receiver at Nevada. He had 4,000 yards and 56 touchdowns during his sophomore and junior seasons, including 2,165 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 363 rushing yards and eight rushing scores as a junior.

Steven Jackson, RB, Eldorado

Jackson was dominant at Eldorado High in Las Vegas. He rushed for 6,396 yards and 81 touchdowns during his prep career, including leading his team to the state championship game in 2000. Jackson was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Brevin Jordan, TE, Bishop Gorman

Jordan had a historic prep career at Bishop Gorman, finishing with 100 receptions for 1,788 yards and 29 touchdowns over three seasons. As a senior, he had 63 catches for 1,111 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was selected to the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game and was ranked as the No. 1 tight end as a recruit coming out of high school in the 2018 recruiting cycle.

Tate Martell, QB, Bishop Gorman

Martell was literally unbeatable in high school, finishing with a perfect 43-0 record for Bishop Gorman. He threw for 7,507 yards and 113 touchdowns, with only nine interceptions, during his career. He also added 2,294 rushing yards and 35 more scores. As a senior, he threw for 2,362 yards with 41 touchdowns and only one interception, to go along with 1,257 yards and 21 TDs on the ground.

Kai Nacua, ATH, Liberty

The brother of NFL star WR Puka Nacua was a star two-way player at Liberty High, playing significant snaps at quarterback and safety. He led the Patriots to their first state championship game appearance as a senior in 2012. He accounted for 26 touchdowns and was an all-state safety. For his career, he finished with 3,339 yards and 33 touchdowns, to go along with 1,585 rushing yards and 30 scores. He also had 69 career tackles and five interceptions on defense.

Kenyon Oblad, QB, Liberty

Oblad finished his career as the state's all-time passing leader with 11,828 passing yards and 116 career touchdown passes. He led the Patriots to a 44-9 record as a starter and four straight Sunrise Region championships. He completed 169-of-309 passes for 2,699 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior.

Rome Odunze, WR, Bishop Gorman

The future Chicago Bear had 121 career catches for 2,699 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns during his high school career. He earned the Nevada Gatorade Football Player of the Year honor after grabbing 54 receptions for 1,222 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.

Ryan Reynolds, LB, Bishop Gorman

Reynolds had 202 tackles over the last two seasons of his prep career with Bishop Gorman after beginning his high school career at Lake Havasu High (Arizona). As a senior, he had 106 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks. He is best known for building the foundation for Bishop Gorman to later become a powerhouse.

Ryan Smith, WR, Bishop Gorman

Smith finished with a state-record 3,208 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns with 132 receptions during his prep career. While Gorman is a dynasty in the state, the Gaels lost only four games with Smith on the team.

Anu Solomon, QB, Bishop Gorman

Solomon, who was born in Hawaii and moved to Las Vegas when he was 10, led Bishop Gorman to a 56 — the most in high school history — and four state championships in his time as the starting quarterback. He finished his prep career with 5,234 passing yards and 49 passing touchdowns, along with 1,263 rushing yards and 19 scores.

Christian Thatcher, LB, Arbor View

Tatcher finished his high school career in 2024 with 443 tackles, the Nevada state record for tackles. He led his school to the championship game in his final season and was a three-time all-state selection before continuing his career at Utah.

Antonine White, RB, Las Vegas

In 2021, as a senior, White put together one of the most prolific single seasons in Nevada high school history. He rushed for 2,949 yards and 48 touchdowns, leading the Wildcats to a state championship. For his career, he finished with 74 total touchdowns.