5 things to watch as UNLV football opens training camp

UNLV football begins its autumn training camp on Wednesday, entering the season as a favorite in the reconfigured Mountain West Conference. Several key questions remain to be answered before the team’s Week Zero showdown. **Quarterback competition** – The Rebels will need a starter for the Aug. 29 opener against Memphis. Although coaches have not declared a front‑runner for camp, a clear battle exists between returning quarterback Alex Orji and Auburn transfer Jackson Arnold. Orji is working back from a Grade 3 LCL sprain and a severe hamstring tear sustained versus UCLA last September. Arnold has started 18 games across his stints at Oklahoma and Auburn, accumulating 3,293 passing yards and 871 rushing yards. **Workload for Jet** – The plan is to give senior running back Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas a larger role than last season, utilizing him as a more every‑down back. Thomas currently sits eighth on UNLV’s all‑time rushing list and could help ease the transition to a new starting quarterback. His pass‑catching production has improved each year. **Wide receiver room** – Sophomore Taeshaun Lyons, a preseason all‑Mountain West selection, is expected to break out. He played in all 14 games a year ago, hauling in 16 receptions for 241 yards and three touchdowns, including a 72‑yard score versus Hawaii. Also worth monitoring is sophomore Kayden McGee, who has made an impact on special teams. The position group features numerous new faces. **The defense** – UNLV’s top defensive performance last year came in a 17‑10 loss to Ohio in the Frisco Bowl, a game that also marked the Rebels’ worst offensive output of the season. Improvement is needed in the second full season under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s scheme, particularly in communication on the back end. Four of the team’s top ten tacklers from 2023 are set to return. **Center of attention** – Austin Boyd steps into the starting center role vacated by Reid Williams. With a reshaped backfield, Boyd will be responsible for ensuring the offensive line functions smoothly. The unit has a chance to exceed last season’s performance; three starters must be replaced, but a handful of experienced transfers provides optimism for the Rebels.