Hoover Quarterback Alaimo, Runner Roberson Cast Lots With Strong Nevada Reno Wolfpack

Quarterback John Alaimo and running back Al Roberson, teammates on the Hoover High football team that went 8-2 but was denied a Southern Section playoff berth for using a player who was academically ineligible, have signed letters of intent to attend Nevada Reno.

Alaimo considered Colorado and South Carolina before deciding on Reno.

“We’re real excited about getting those two guys,” Wolfpack assistant coach Mike Bradeson said Tuesday. “We were hoping to get some skilled kids out of California.”

Alaimo and Roberson were selected for The Times All-Glendale Area Football Team last fall.

Alaimo, a 6-2, 170-pound senior who also starts in basketball and baseball at Hoover, was named back of the year on The Times All-Glendale team. He passed for 1,066 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 452 yards and six touchdowns out of the Tornadoes wishbone.

A three-year starter at defensive back, Alaimo set a school record for career interceptions with 22. He had seven in 1985.

Roberson was named to the All-Glendale first-team as a running back. He led the Tornadoes in rushing.

Both were first-team All-Pacific League selections.

At Nevada Reno, Alaimo and Roberson may be a year away from seeing significant playing time.

Alaimo is projected by Reno as a quarterback, where the incumbent is junior Eric Beavers, who holds almost every Wolfpack passing record heading into his final season.

In Roberson’s path, Nevada Reno returns five running backs, including both starters, in addition to a junior college transfer.

Bradeson, who played and coached at Boise State before joining the Reno staff two weeks ago, said both players will get a chance to be regulars.

“Coach (Chris) Ault has said he expects them to play early in their careers,” Bradeson said.

Nevada Reno, a member of the Big Sky Conference, was 11-2 in 1985 and made it to the semifinal round of the Division 1-AA playoffs.