UNLV Football Spring Ball: The Bar’s Never Been Higher
This isn’t 2015. It’s not 2019. Hell, it’s not even 2023.
UNLV Football is officially in a new era — and with it comes real expectations.
We’re talking about a team coming off:
• Back-to-back Mountain West title game appearances
• An LA Bowl victory
• A final AP Top 25 ranking (No. 23)
• And the highest-paid head coach in school history stepping in to raise the ceiling even higher
Dan Mullen’s job isn’t to rebuild. It’s to win. Now.
Spring Practice: New System, New Faces, New Standards
Spring ball is officially underway, and this isn’t your average tune-up.
UNLV has dozens of newcomers, a completely new offensive system, and open competition across the board. There are no guaranteed starters — not at quarterback, not on defense, not anywhere.
“Everybody’s competing,” Mullen said. “Guys are competing for playing time.”
This is what a winning culture looks like. No handouts. No hierarchy. Just execution.
QB Battle: Colandrea vs. Orji
Let’s not dance around it — the quarterback competition will define this spring.
• Anthony Colandrea (Virginia transfer): Dual-threat. 62.2% completion rate, 28 total touchdowns. Shifty, smart, and explosive.
• Alex Orji (Michigan transfer): Power runner. 392 rushing yards and 4 TDs in limited time. Brings toughness and red zone upside.
Stylistically, Colandrea might look cleaner during non-contact spring sessions. But don’t count Orji out — his physicality brings another dimension, especially once the pads come on.
OC Corey Dennis isn’t forcing a scheme either:
“We have to find what these guys are good at and then ultimately enhance their talents.”
Translation: whoever wins the job, the offense will be tailored around them.
Breakout Watch: Jaylon Glover
UNLV has a history of spring stars showing up early.
• 2023: Jacob De Jesus exploded onto the scene
• 2024: Hajj-Malik Williams flipped the QB room
2025? All signs point to Jaylon Glover.
The Utah transfer rushed for 982 yards and six TDs in three years. He’s built for Mullen’s downhill run game and has the burst to bounce big plays.
“He can run between the tackles and make you miss in space,” Mullen said.
Don’t be surprised if Glover becomes a core piece of this offense by fall.
Wideouts Wanted
With program legend Ricky White off to the pros, the WR room is wide open.
This spring is about sorting out who steps up — and there’s no shortage of talent:
• Koy Moore (LSU / Auburn / WKU): Experienced, versatile
• Troy Omeire (Texas / ASU): Big-bodied target with upside
• JoJo Earle (TCU): Electric in open space
• Tavian McNair (true freshman): Early buzz as a future deep threat
Plenty of tools. Now it’s about production.
Rebuilding the Defense
The biggest challenge this spring?
Replacing the defensive core that led UNLV through its best two seasons in decades.
Gone:
• Jackson Woodard
• Antonio Doyle
• Jalen Catalon
• Cameron Oliver
• Fisher Camac
That’s a lot of leadership and a ton of playmaking gone in one offseason.
Now the question is: who steps up?
Two names to watch:
• Marsel McDuffie – Fifth-year LB, finally healthy and ready to lead
• Charles Correa – Showed real flashes as a freshman, upside is there
Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett isn’t handing out titles:
“You identify those guys through offseason workouts… when they get some adversity thrown at them.”
It’s open season on leadership. Let’s see who earns it.
The Big Picture
Dan Mullen didn’t take this job to be part of a rebuild. He took it because UNLV is already winning — and because the path to the expanded College Football Playoff isn’t fantasy here.
The Mountain West is deep. The schedule is real. But the blueprint is clear:
• Build around the QB room
• Lean on portal talent
• Let the culture lead
• And take the next step — a conference title and playoff spot
Spring ball is only the beginning. The standard has changed.
This is the new normal.
Now let’s see who rises with it.
Follow for more UNLV Football breakdowns, portal movement, and updates as we move through spring ball.