Quarterback job still not settled, as UNLV releases depth chart
August 23, 2016 - 9:01 pm
The UNLV football team released its two-deep depth chart Tuesday, and it’s pretty similar to the one the Rebels revealed after their spring game more than four months ago.
Four players have climbed the charts and won starting jobs in fall camp: cornerback Darius Mouton, left guard Michael Chevalier, defensive end Iggy Porchia and place-kicker Evan Pantels, who also will handle the punting duties. But the most important position on the field remains unsettled, as juniors Kurt Palandech and Johnny Stanton are still listed as co-starters at quarterback.
The two have been locked in a close race for the job the entire offseason, and after each of them threw red-zone interceptions in Friday’s scrimmage, UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said both will play in the Sept. 1 season opener against Jackson State at Sam Boyd Stadium.
“It’s one of those deals that if you need to let it play itself out and wait, then you wait,” Sanchez said. “You don’t rush the decision, because the decision’s going to have a major impact on the season.
“I’ll be honest with you … both guys are going to play in Game 1. I think one guy’s going to be named the starter, and he’ll start to get the majority of the reps. But you’re going to see whoever the No. 2 is at some point in the first half.”
Chevalier, a junior college transfer, will replace Chris Lopez, who is no longer with the program. Porchia, a senior returnee, leapfrogged junior Antonio Zepeda.
Mouton, a sophomore who made five starts at nickelback last season, beat out Tim Hough, a Desert Pines High School product who was named the starting nickelback over junior college transfer Robert Jackson.
Pantels, a junior college transfer from Georgia Military College, earned the starting nod over senior returnee Nicolai Bornand, who missed his final three field-goal tries last season. Pantels also will replace three-year starter Logan Yunker at punter.
One other notable change to the depth chart is true freshman running back Charles Williams ascending to the No. 2 spot over sophomore returnee Xzaviar Campbell behind sophomore starter Lexington Thomas.
Several other true freshmen are expected to contribute, as local products Jaron Caldwell (Bishop Gorman), Julio Garcia (Bishop Gorman) and Donovan Outlaw (Coronado) are listed as backup offensive linemen and Mekhi Stevenson is listed as a backup wide receiver and punt returner.
UNLV DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
LT Kyle Saxelid (6-7, 290, JR-2L)
Jaron Caldwell (6-4, 315, FR-HS)
LG Michael Chevalier (6-3, 300, JR-TR)
Zack Singer (6-2, 320, SO-TR)
C Will Kreitler (6-0, 295, SR-1L)
J’Ondray Sanders (6-5, 260, JR-1L)
RG Justin Polu (6-4, 315, FR-RS)
Julio Garcia (6-3, 305, FR-HS)
RT Nathan Jacobson (6-5, 290, SO-1L)
Donovan Outlaw (6-4, 285, FR-HS)
TE Andrew Price (6-6, 255, SR-1L)
Trevor Kanteman (6-4, 240, JR-TR)
Tim Holt (6-2, 230, JR-TR)
WR (X) Devonte Boyd (6-1, 180, JR-2L)
Brandon Presley (6-0, 180, SO-1L)
WR (A) Darren Woods Jr. (6-0, 215, FR-RS)
Mekhi Stevenson (6-0, 180, FR-HS)
WR (Z) Kendal Keys (6-4, 200, JR-2L)
Brandon Presley (6-0, 180, SO-1L)
QB Kurt Palandech (6-2, 185, JR-1L) -or-
Johnny Stanton (6-2, 245, JR-TR)
Dalton Sneed (6-0, 195, FR-RS)
RB Lexington Thomas (5-9, 170, SO-1L)
Charles Williams (5-9, 175, FR-HS)
Xzaviar Campbell (5-11, 215, SO-1L)
David Greene (6-0, 210, SR-3L)
FB Marc Philippi (5-10, 225, SR-2L)
Tim Holt (6-2, 230, JR-TR)
DEFENSE
DE Iggy Porchia (6-2, 240, SR-3L)
Dominic Baldwin (6-5, 270, SR-3L)
DT Salanoa-Alo Wily (6-0, 280, SO-1L)
Nick Dehdashtian (6-1, 290, FR-RS)
NT Mike Hughes Jr. (6-2, 315, JR-2L)
Jason Fao (6-0, 300, JR-1L)
REBEL (DE) Jeremiah Valoaga (6-6, 255, SR-3L)
Mark Finau (6-3, 230, JR-1L)
SLB Matt Lea (5-10, 220, JR-2L)
LaKeith Walls (6-3, 235, SR-TR)
Gabe McCoy (6-2, 210, FR-RS)
MLB Ryan McAleenan (6-2, 220, SR-SL)
Brian Keyes (6-1, 255, JR-TR)
WLB Tau Lotulelei (6-1, 235, SR-3L)
Bailey Laolagi (6-1, 210, SO-1L)
CB Darius Mouton (5-10, 170, SO-1L)
Tim Hough (5-11, 195, SO-1L)
SS Troy Hawthorne (6-3, 210, SR-3L)
Dalton Baker (5-11, 185, SO-1L)
FS Kenny Keys (6-4, 200, SR-3L)
Evan Austrie (6-0, 200, FR-RS)
CB Torry McTyer (6-0, 195, SR-3L)
Jay’Onn Myles (5-8, 165, SR-1L)
NB Tim Hough (5-11, 195, SO-1L)
Robert Jackson (6-2, 205, JR-TR)
SPECIALISTS
PK Evan Pantels (5-10, 180, SO-TR)
Nicolai Bornand (6-1, 225, SR-3L)
P Evan Pantels (5-10, 180, SO-TR)
Nicolai Bornand (6-1, 225, SR-3L)
LS Joe Lang (6-2, 210, SO-TR)
HOLD Troy Hawthorne (6-3, 210, SR-3L)
KR Torry McTyer (6-0, 195, SR-3L)
Charles Williams (5-10, 175, FR-HS)
PR Brandon Presley (6-0, 180, SO-1L)
Mekhi Stevenson (6-0, 180, FR-HS)
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33.