Just a few years ago, the UNLV Rebels were barely a blip on the college football radar even within the Mountain West Conference. That began to change under Barry Odom, who rebuilt the roster and culture in Las Vegas, guiding the Rebels to back-to-back appearances in the Mountain West Championship Game.
Odom departed this offseason for the Purdue Boilermakers, but he left the program in capable hands. Enter Dan Mullen the former Florida Gators head coach and multi time national championship winning coordinator who, before coaching a single down at UNLV, is already being called by many the best coach in the Mountain West.
Key Departures, Major Additions
Mullen inherits a team that lost a significant portion of its core from last year. Standouts like wide receiver Ricky White III, linebacker Jackson Woodard, and safety Johnathan Baldwin all appeared in NFL Preseason Week 1. Starting quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, who broke out in 2024, earned a rookie minicamp invite with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Even players expected to return in 2025 like safeties Jalen Catalon and Charles Correa departed via the transfer portal. But Mullen wasted no time reloading, bringing in one of the top transfer portal classes in the nation and filling roster gaps with experienced talent.
National Respect on the Rise
All the roster turnover has made UNLV one of the most polarizing teams in the country this season. But early indicators suggest they’re earning more national respect than many anticipated. In the 2025 AP Top 25 preseason poll, the Rebels received votes on three ballots, totaling 21 points. That puts them at No. 35 in the country between Nebraska and Toledo and ahead of programs like Auburn, Florida State, and Colorado.
A Program on the Cusp
For a program that once struggled for relevance, this preseason ranking is a milestone. It signals that UNLV is no longer just a Mountain West contender but potentially a player on the national stage. With the right breaks, the Rebels could spend significant time in the Top 25 and if all goes perfectly even make a run at the College Football Playoff.
Every step forward strengthens the program’s profile, improving long-term recruiting, national rankings, and opportunities on bigger stages. For Mullen, the journey at UNLV is just beginning, but the foundation for something special is already in place.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
