The 2026 Old Trapper Mountain West Media Days will officially begin the countdown to kickoff. All 10 conference institutions will gather at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on July 15-16. As a result, the media presence will be significant for fans and coverage alike.
Nevada will be represented by head coach Jeff Choate, entering his third season. He will attend along with WR Marshaun Brown, OL Jack Foster, EDGE Dylan LaBarbera, and LB EJ Smith. Their appearances are highly anticipated by media outlets covering the event.
The 2026 Preseason All-Mountain West Team is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday morning at the start of the event, generating excitement among media members and fans.
Media Day Plans
Each Wolf Pack attendee aims to build on a strong 2025 season and help lead Nevada in 2026. Last season, LaBarbera was named to the HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Team. He was also named to the Pro Football Focus (PFF) All-Group of Six Team. He finished 2025 tied for eighth nationally with 17.0 tackles for loss and ranked sixth with 1.42 TFLs per game. Furthermore, these achievements have attracted significant attention from the sports media.
This summer, LaBarbera was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West First Team by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Smith seeks to build on a promising 2025 campaign that was cut short by injury after seven games. He recorded 29 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble before his season ended. Despite the shortened season, Smith enters 2026 with strong expectations. He has been named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Second Teams by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
Foster anchored The Union in 2025, starting all 12 games and earning the team’s Basalite Big Blocker Award. He secured the left tackle position and was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West First Teams by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports this summer. Brown, a Bishop Manogue High School graduate, appeared in 10 games with three starts last season. He recorded 16 catches for 164 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.
Notable performances included career highs of seven catches and 75 receiving yards at New Mexico, and a four-catch, 35-yard game against Boise State. The 2026 season will begin with two consecutive home games, hosting defending New Orleans Bowl champion Western Kentucky on Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m., followed by reigning FCS champion Montana State on Saturday, September 12. Importantly, extensive media coverage is expected for these marquee matchups.
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Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
