As the UNLV Rebels prepare for the 2025 college football season, the team has brought over a number of players from the transfer portal in hopes of helping build off their successful 2024 season. Let’s dive into some of the most important additions for the Rebels this year.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions for UNLV
Offensive Additions
Quarterback
UNLV has acquired two new quarterbacks this off-season: Anthony Colandrea from the University of Virginia and Alex Orji from the University of Michigan.
Colandrea spent two years with the Cavaliers as their starter. In 2024, he front-manned the Cavs, putting together a season of 13 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 2,125 passing yards, and a 5-7 record.
Orji, the former Michigan Wolverine who opted into the transfer portal, never really created too many opportunities on the field. In 2024, Orji only made 47 passing attempts, tossing two touchdowns with three interceptions, and 150 yards through the air.
Orji’s impact on any offense comes from his dynamic ability as a runner. The former Wolverine thrives when he’s on the move, and his performance against Michigan State showcased that explosiveness, rushing for 64 yards and a touchdown on just six carries.
Orji stands out as the marquee transfer for the UNLV Rebels, bringing a dynamic, run-first style that adds excitement to the outlook of the 2025 offense. His arrival sets the stage for an intriguing quarterback competition in training camp, where he’ll face off against Colandrea, a more traditional pocket passer, for the starting role.
Running Backs
UNLV has brought in three new running backs through the transfer portal in Jaylon Glover, Keyvone Lee, and Emeka Megwa.
Glover, the former Utah Ute, will be looking for a fresh start in Las Vegas. After only 12 touches in 2024, Glover will look to return to his production in 2023, where he put together 562 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The high-school track star can make a nice addition to the running back room.
Lee transfers from Mississippi State. The senior will look to finish his college football career strongly. In 2024, he played a platoon role for the Bulldogs, scoring a touchdown on 29 carries and 140 yards.
Megwa comes to UNLV as an unknown from the University of Oklahoma. The 6-foot stoutly built back has not seen much college football action. The four-star recruit from Keller, Texas, will look to get his career going in the desert.
In an already crowded running back room, these three newcomers will compete for playing time alongside returning Rebel running back Jai’Den Thomas. With all three additions bringing breakaway speed, it will be fascinating to see who emerges as a key contributor when fall camp rolls around.
Receivers and Tight Ends
The Rebels will look to replace a 1000-yard receiver this off-season, as Ricky White III is trending towards becoming an NFL draft pick in April. UNLV brought in four new receivers and three new tight ends through the transfer portal.
Var’Keyes Gumms from Arkansas, Nick Elksnis from South Carolina, and Matthew Byrnes join the Rebels tight end room. All three newly acquired Rebels have played a key role in run and pass blocking.
As for the wide receivers, this new-look Rebels receiving core includes Koy Moore from Western Kentucky, Taeshaun Lyons from Utah, Troy Omerie from Arizona State, and Daejon Renyolds from Pittsburgh. Reynolds and Omerie bring the most experience from this crew, as each has found the endzone more than once in their college careers, whereas Moore and Lyons are searching for careers to blossom with new opportunities at UNLV.
Offensive Linemen
UNLV acquired four key new offensive linemen through the portal. UNLV strengthened its offensive line by adding Reid Williams from Chattanooga, Donavan Manson from Coastal Carolina, Ben Christman from Kentucky, and James Faminu from Temple.
Defensive Additions
Defensive Linemen
On the defensive line, UNLV landed three new edge rushers. Bringing in Landen Thomas from Arizona State, Jalen Lee from LSU, and Cory Hall from Northern Arizona.
Linebackers
The UNLV linebacker corps grew through the transfer portal, with three new linebackers committing. John Lewis from Mississippi State, Kamuela Kaaihue from Arizona, and Bryce Edmondson from Memphis.
Defensive Secondary
The secondary also saw some new names come through the portal; Jake Pope, a safety from Georgia, Laterrance Welch, a cornerback from Arizona State, and Aamaris Brown-Bunkley, a cornerback from South Florida.
Special Teams
UNLV brought in kicker Caden Costa from Memphis to their roster. Additionally, UNLV added punter Marshall Nichols from Georgia Tech to round out the special teams unit.
