UNLV Football: Projecting The 2020 Spring Depth Chart
Marcus Arroyo will have some work to do to get the Rebels program back on the path to a bowl. We predict where they might start.
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Not a total rebuild, but not totally clear cut at the start.
In more ways than one, the UNLV Rebels will begin a new era when they return to practice this spring.
New head coach? Check. New home stadium? Check? Same moribund program? That remains to be seen, but it will be a difficult task for Marcus Arroyo to prove that his team didn’t miss their window for bowl eligibility right off the bat. A lot of pieces return from the last few years of Tony Sanchez’s return, but how will they stack up with fresh eyes on the sidelines?
Note: Projected spring first-teamers in italics.
Quarterback
Kenyon Oblad, Soph.
Armani Rogers, Sr.
There were some growing pains when Oblad finally replaced Rogers as QB1, but a solid November probably gave him the space he needed to not have to look his shoulder this spring. It’s hard not to think about what might have been had Rogers progressed as a passer, but he and Max Gilliam have both flashed in stints as the starter in the past, so chances are they’ll get every opportunity to win the backup job and stay ready for that next chance.
Running back
Charles Williams, Sr.
Chad Magyar, Jr.
Arroyo will certainly be thankful to have an offensive centerpiece, but the Rebels have plenty of potential contributors who may not show up on the stat sheet. If recent history is any indication, finding that next Xzaviar Campbell or Evan Owens could be crucial to helping the run game rebound. Darran Williams, Tyree Jackson, and Courtney Reese all got chances to prove themselves last fall and should be in that mix, as well as Cal transfer Biaggio Ali Walsh.
Wide receiver
Randal Grimes, Jr.
Andre Collins Jr., Sr.
Steve Jenkins, Soph.
Mekhi Stevenson, Jr.
Brandon Pressley, Sr.
Tyleek Collins, Jr.
A unit that’s long been long on promise but often short on production showed a little more promise but were plagued by drops and uneven quarterback play, but everyone is back to give it another go. Grimes was a big success as a physical target and Jenkins came on strong late, but it’s anyone’s guess as to who will step up after that. Pressley should be 100% after an injury which erased his 2019, while Collins seemingly vanished from the game plan for weeks on end.
Tight end
Noah Bean, Jr.
Giovanni Fauolo Sr., Sr.
The fact that these two combined for 44 catches in 2019 could give Arroyo a unique element to his offense if he chooses to utilize it. His recent history with an athlete like Jacob Breeland suggests he will. If he’s looking for an athlete who may be better suited to a blocking tight end role, though, chances are he’ll see what the sophomore trio of Adam Meyer, Tyler Yoder, and Sheldon Zeon III can provide on that front.
Offensive line
Left Tackle
Matt Brayton, Sr.
Garrett Beckman, Soph.
Left Guard
Julio Garcia, Sr.
Jaron Caldwell, Grad.
Center
Bryan Catchings, Soph.
Leif Fautanu, Soph.
Right Guard
Ryan Tantum, Sr.
Amani Trigg-Wright, Soph.
Right Tackle
Justice Oluwaseun, Jr.
Eric Brown, Soph.
The unit will certainly miss Sid Acosta and Justin Polu, but aftergoing some changes last September the remaining pieces settled in and, all things considered, didn’t drop off too much from 2018 by traditional and advanced measures. Depth will take some time to figure out between their departures and that of Ashton Morgan.
Defensive line
Defensive End
Jalen Graves, Jr.
Adam Plant, Jr.
Nick Dehdashtian, Sr.
Nate Neal, Sr.
Defensive Tackle
Kolo Uasike, Sr.
Chris Manoa, Jr.
Tavis Malakius, Sr.
Eliel Ehimare, Sr.
A unit that couldn’t generate a pass rush at all now loses the one guy, Gabe McCoy, who’d proved he could do that at least a little bit. The competition for spots in the rotation, especially at the end spots, should be fierce. Uasike and Manoa, as the only 300-pound bodies on the spring roster, should man the interior.
Linebacker
Jacoby Windman, Soph.
Austin Ajiake, Jr.
Farrell Hester II, Sr.
Vic Viramontes, Sr.
Malakai Salu, Soph.
Kyle Beaudry, Soph.
The defense’s strength is more or less starting over in 2020, so finding answers here will probably take time. Windmon saw starting time when Gabe McCoy was unavailable last fall, so the new coaching staff might give him every opportunity to lock down that BUCK-type role. Overall, there’s plenty of a potential for a youth movement in this unit.
Cornerback
Aaron Lewis, Sr.
Alex Perry, Sr.
Jamel Hamm, Soph.
Jeremiah Houston, Jr.
The secondary was relatively stable and mostly fine, but replacing an athlete like Jericho Flowers will be tough. Lewis is a safe bet to at least start atop the depth chart after receiving playing time all year and four starts down the stretch. Houston, a juco transfer, could come in and compete right away, while Perry remains a tantalizing wild card.
Safety
Free Safety
Greg Francis, Sr.
Drew Tejchman, Sr.
Strong Safety
Bryce Jackson, Jr.
Christian Minor, Sr.
The race to start at free safety should be an interesting one since Tejchman started the year at that position before suffering a season-ending injury. Jackson, meanwhile, looks primed for a shot to lock down the other spot over the next couple years,
Kicker
Daniel Gutierrez, Sr.
Nathan De Jager, Sr.
Gutierrez may not have performed at quite the same level as some of his Mountain West peers, but it doesn’t seem like there’s much reason for his job to be in jeopardy. De Jager may give him a run, but he couldn’t win the starting job at Fresno State back in 2016.
Punter
Evan Silva, Soph.
Daniel Gutierrez, Sr.
There’s a non-zero chance that the Rebels turn to Gutierrez for double duty in replacing Hayes Hicken, since Silva is the only other punting specialist currently on the roster.
