In a locker room full of players with winding paths and second chances, Var’Keyes Gumms may be the most compelling new addition. The former SEC tight end arrives in Las Vegas by way of North Texas and Arkansas, bringing with him not just experience and athleticism but a chip on his shoulder, a deep love for the game, and a sharp understanding of what it means to earn your moment.
“I’ve been at the top. I’ve been at the bottom. I know how both feel,” Gumms said during a wide-ranging interview with The Scarlet Standard. “That’s going to help me at UNLV. I’ve learned what it takes.”
As a one-time All-American at North Texas, Gumms’ football résumé stretches across college football’s geographic and competitive landscape. But it’s Vegas where he feels he can finally put it together.
A Portal Journey with Purpose
When Gumms entered the transfer portal after Arkansas, he was heavily courted—and at one point, committed—to UAB. But UNLV stood out—not just for its glitz and skyline but also for the direction the program was headed.
“I already knew some players here, and they told me they needed a new tight end,” he said. “I contacted those guys, then talked with Coach Mullen. After that, it was set.”
Gumms never overlapped with Barry Odom, either at Arkansas or UNLV. “I came in right after he left both schools,” he noted. Still, he was well aware of the foundation Odom laid—winning nine games in 2023 and eleven in 2024—and knew Dan Mullen was coming in with expectations.
“Coach Mullen’s had success. He’s produced tight ends. He’s here to win games. That’s what I want to do, too.”
The Golden Misfits
There’s a sense of collective hunger at UNLV this year, and Gumms feels it.
“Most of the guys in this locker room got the same story,” he explained. “They came from big-time programs SEC, Big Ten. They played in big games. But something happened, and they fell off a depth chart. Now we’re here, together, with the same goal.”
He likened the vibe to the Vegas Golden Knights’ inaugural run, when they were dubbed the “Golden Misfits” and made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. “Yep. That’s us,” Gumms said. We’re going to shock the world.”
Big Moments, Big Expectations
UNLV’s 2025 schedule includes a trip to Boise State, a program the Rebels haven’t beaten since 1976, and challenging road games at Wyoming and Colorado State, where they haven’t won in over two decades.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,” he said. “But we know it’s bigger than us. It’s for the city. For everyone who’s been waiting.”
When asked what fans will notice when they watch him play, Gumms said simply, “The pass game. But I can block too. I can do it all.”
In Dan Mullen’s system, one that helped shape stars like Kyle Pitts and Aaron Hernandez, Gumms sees a clear path. “Knowing what those guys did in this offense gives me a lot of confidence,” he said.
Veteran Presence, Mentor Mindset
Gumms isn’t just here to catch passes. He’s also taken on a leadership role with UNLV’s young tight ends.
“Stay coachable. Work hard. Leave your mark,” he tells them. “I’ve grown close with guys like Matt Burns and Nick Elksnis. We watch films together, get better together.”
That leadership mindset extends off the field. When asked what he wants people to say when his UNLV career is done, he didn’t hesitate: “That I gave it all I got. I left good memories. That I helped win games.”
Life in Las Vegas
Gumms has embraced the Vegas lifestyle—Fremont Street, Dre’s, even Lolo’s Chicken & Waffles. But there’s still plenty on his list.
“I haven’t been to the Sphere yet. Or Mount Charleston. But I’m trying to see everything. The Strip is an experience; this place is a town that never sleeps.”
Originally from Houston, Gumms compared Las Vegas to a Disney movie. “It just feels different. Every day, something is happening.”
What’s Next
His most anticipated game? A potential return to Sam Houston, just 30 minutes from his hometown. “If we play that game in Houston, my whole family’s coming,” he said. “It’d mean a lot.”
As for personal pregame routines, Gumms is all Southern swagger: Lil Boosie’s Set It Off, OTB Fastlane’s Legendary, and a mood that adjusts based on the moment.
When asked what UNLV Football will be like in 2025,
“One word,” he said. “Remembered.”
Full Interview:
The Scarlet Standard conducted and edited the Interview. The full audio and video will be available on our YouTube and Substack channels.