MWC · 2026

UNLV

2025 record 10–4 6–2 conference
Postseason MW Championship L 21–38 at Boise State; Frisco Bowl L 10–17 vs Ohio
Head coach Dan Mullen Year 2
Scheme Pro Spread / Multiple 4-2-5
Conference
B+

Title favorite with Portal #1 / overall #1 and Thomas/McDuffie returning; empty QB1 + O8.5 fair Under 56.99% cap it under A−

Portal
B+/A−

Portal #1 with only 19 commits and avg 85.06 is the board’s efficiency case

Depth
B−

Empty QB1 / WR-Z first-string slots keep the two-deep grade under the roster grade

Market odds

To Win MWC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes TBD
No TBD
Over 8.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #1 47 commits · 208.51 pts
Portal #1 19 commits· avg 85.06

Roster notes

Leading story

Empty QB1: Cameron Friel charts only as QB2; Jai'Den Thomas at RB1

Offense

WR DaeDae Reynolds / (empty WR-Z player-1; Koy Moore as player-2) / JoJo Earle; TE Nick Elksnis. OL: Will Thomas / Malik McGowan / Reid Williams / Alani Makihele / Austin Boyd

Defense

Jalen Lee / Lucas Conti / Chief Borders; Blesyng Alualu-Tuiolemotu / Marsel McDuffie; Laterrance Welch / Jaheem Joseph / Jake Pope / Aamaris Brown

Key offense

  1. 01
    Jai'Den Thomas RB
    Returning
    • 2025: 148 carries, 1,036 yds, 12 rushing TD. Listed RB1
  2. 02
    JoJo Earle WR
    Returning
    • 2025:
  3. 03
    Anthony Colandrea QB
    2025 production — not listed QB1
    • 2025: 275/417, 3,459 yds, 23 TD, 9 INT and 127 carries, 649 yds, 10 rushing TD
    • Empty QB1 on the depth chart is the open question
    • Friel is the only named QB

Key defense

  1. 01
    Marsel McDuffie MLB
    Returning
    • 2025: 112 tackles. Listed MLB1
  2. 02
    Laterrance Welch LCB
    Returning
    • 2025: 5 INT. Listed LCB1
  3. 03
    Jake Pope FS
    Returning
    • 2025: 80 tackles. Listed FS1