UNLV’s Depth Chart Isn’t Settled: It’s Under Siege

Fall camp has arrived, and if you’re looking for a clear two-deep at UNLV, good luck. This isn’t a finished product; it’s a war zone.

Dan Mullen didn’t just rebuild the roster. He reloaded it with veterans, bounce-backs, and blue-chips who’ve been counted out elsewhere. What you’re seeing on paper right now is a starting point, not a statement. The battles are everywhere, and they’re real.

Alex Orji is listed with the ones, but this job isn’t locked up. He’s got the most upside: size, speed, and enough arm to stretch the field. But Anthony Colandrea has more game reps and a quicker trigger. Cameron Friel is the veteran presence, though not the favorite, and two freshmen, Gael Ochoa and Sebastian Circo, are waiting behind the curtain. Watch this closely: Orji has the traits, but Colandrea has the timing. Don’t be surprised if this drags into Week 1.

Jai’Den Thomas earned first-team reps in spring, but this room is loaded. Jaylon Glover (Utah) and Keyvone Lee (Penn State, Mississippi State) both transferred in with serious experience. They’ll all get carries early. True freshman Kamran Williams has flashed, and Darrien Jones could carve out a role.

This might be the deepest WR group UNLV’s ever had. JoJo Earle (TCU/Alabama) is electric in the slot. Troy Omeire (Texas/ASU) has NFL size. Jaden Bradley (Pitt/Charlotte), Daejon Reynolds (Florida/Pitt), and Koy Moore (LSU/Auburn/WKU) round out a veteran-heavy top group.

Young guys like Kayden McGee, Cassidee Miles, and Tavian McNair bring developmental upside, but they’ll have to wait their turn. This isn’t about talent; it’s about target share. Mullen’s going to spread it around.

Every starter on the O-line either transferred in or developed under chaos and came out stronger. James Faminu (Houston/Temple) is your left tackle, with Malik McGowan (UNC) and Reid Williams (Chattanooga) anchoring the interior. Donavan Manson (Coastal Carolina) and Austin Boyd round out a starting five with real size.

Behind them? Depth. Ed Haynes, Will Thomas, Nick Scalise, Alani Makihele, and Daniel Hernandez all have reps. Freshmen like Dyllan Drummond and Toby Moore are coming. The best part? This line can go two-deep for the first time in a long time.

Var’Keyes Gumms (North Texas/Arkansas) is the headliner, but Nick Elksnis (South Carolina) and Matt Byrnes (Houston) aren’t far behind. Jae Beasley II is homegrown and rising. Velltray Jefferson adds blocking presence. Expect multiple tight ends on the field often. This room is too good to keep off the field.

Tunmise Adeleye (Texas A&M/Michigan State) is the crown jewel of this class. Jalen Lee (Florida/LSU) clogs the middle. Cohen Fuller, Lucas Conti, and Maxwell Peterson bring back experience, and Mo Altayeb and Landen Thomas add athletic depth.

This group doesn’t just have talent; it finally has size. That’s been missing for years. Edge and interior reps are up for grabs. There’s real competition in the trenches now.

While the portal rebuilt this room, Marsel McDuffie never left. The senior linebacker stayed through the coaching change, came back from injury, and remains the most reliable piece in the front seven.

Next to him? It’s an open race.

Chief Borders (Florida/Nebraska/Pitt), Justin Flowe (Oregon/Arizona), Bryce Edmondson (Memphis), and Isaiah Patterson (UCLA) are all battling for time. Kamuela Ka’aihue returns. Emeka Megwa is turning heads.

The OLB spots are chaos. But McDuffie is the constant in the middle.

No group flipped more than the defensive backs. Denver Harris (Texas A&M/LSU/UTSA) and Laterrance Welch (LSU/ASU) are the projected starters at corner, but Mumu Bin-Wahad, Andrew Powdrell, Aamaris Brown, Jordan Buchanan, and Nijrell Eason II are right there.

Jaheem Joseph, Jake Pope, and Darrien Stewart will split safety duties with Kodi DeCambra (Oregon) at free safety. Don’t forget about Tre Fulton, either: he’s a true freshman with range. This room has too many guys with starting experience. Someone’s going to be disappointed; but the rotation will help.

Caden Costa (Ole Miss/Memphis) is your kicker. Konner Melzer and Carter Jula are fighting for punting duties. DeAngelo Irvin Jr. is your lead returner again, though Jai’Den Thomas might steal a few kickoff reps. The biggest change? Consistency. This is a veteran unit now.

This roster isn’t just deeper. It’s edgier.

UNLV didn’t land perfect portal fits. They landed talented players who were overlooked, doubted, or squeezed out. Guys with something to prove. Guys who don’t want to wait.

That’s where this gets interesting. Dan Mullen didn’t build a feel-good comeback story, he built a battlefield. Fall camp will decide who survives it.