These UNLV players could shape the 2026 season

With several new faces joining a roster that has posted three consecutive Mountain West title appearances, expectations are high for UNLV football heading into the 2026 season. The Rebels have compiled 30 wins over the past three seasons. **Kayden McGee – Wide Receiver** The redshirt sophomore from Muskogee, Oklahoma, a former three‑star recruit, has appeared in 16 games for UNLV. McGee logged three receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown, while adding 56 rushing yards on seven carries, including an overtime game‑winning score against Utah State last year. With a new quarterback looking to establish chemistry, McGee could become a reliable target at all three levels of the field if he capitalizes on the opportunity. **Jackson Arnold and Alex Orji – Quarterbacks** After the departure of former Rebel quarterback Anthony Colandrea to a Big Ten program, Dan Mullen’s staff quickly pursued a replacement for the 2026 season. In January, the program secured Jackson Arnold, who spent three years in the SEC and made 18 combined starts at Oklahoma and Auburn. Meanwhile, returning quarterback Alex Orji, who transferred from Michigan before suffering a severe leg injury versus UCLA in Week 2 of the 2025 season, appeared in three games for the Rebels last year. Both passers bring substantial experience from high‑profile college football environments that could prove valuable on and off the field. **Jai’Den Thomas – Running Back** Thomas, electing to return for his final year of eligibility, remains one of the Mountain West’s premier rushers. Over his three‑year career he has accumulated 2,457 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns, highlighted by a 2025 season in which he rushed for 1,036 yards on 148 attempts. **Cam Santee – Linebacker** A senior transfer from Holy Cross, Santee joined the Rebels alongside the return of former defensive coordinator Mike Scherer, who will serve as the program’s linebackers coach. Despite moving to the FBS level, Santee recorded 110 total tackles, 46 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks and five forced fumbles during the 2025 campaign with the Crusaders. **Cohen Fuller, Latterance Welch and Donovan Spellman – Returning Veterans** In the current landscape of college athletics, multiple pathways exist for players to return to the collegiate level, and that remains true in Year 2 of the Mullen era. After previously departing the program following their senior seasons, Fuller, Welch and Spellman are each set to rejoin UNLV in 2026. Fuller contributed two sacks and 27 total tackles in 2025 and will link up with Lucas Conti on the defensive front. Spellman will provide additional depth at linebacker after playing in Paul Guenther’s defensive scheme a year ago. Welch, who spent time at LSU and Arizona State, tallied a team‑high five interceptions and 24 total tackles in 2025, a potentially important piece for a defense that ranked among the bottom third of the conference last season. Donovan Hicks, Las Vegas Review‑Journal