Competition heats up as UNLV kicks off 1st training camp under Mullen

This is what comes with so many new faces: competition. Guys fighting for jobs all over the football field.

Guys bringing it every snap.

It’s how you can define UNLV this training camp, countless bodies new to the program searching for roles.

“It’s very important,” said senior linebacker Marsel McDuffie, one of the team’s returning standouts and a preseason All-Mountain West selection. “You’re either going to fold or you’re going to make something of yourself. Bringing that competition every day makes everyone come in and attack every rep. You’re fighting for a spot. You’re going to see that every day in camp.”

The Rebels opened training camp Wednesday with several transfers hitting the field. There isn’t just one position up for grabs. They’re strewn across both lines of scrimmage.

“It’s one thing I’ve monitored closely,” coach Dan Mullen said. “It’s my job to control that competitive flow with our team. Hopefully, it’s there every single day. You saw it today. You see it with our guys. They love to compete. If not, that’s something I have to jump in and make sure we’re doing.”

Relentless effort

It’s part of an identity Mullen hopes to create within the program. Every team develops its own personality over time. The kind Mullen envisions isn’t difficult to understand.

One that executes with a relentless effort, whether at practice or in the weight room. One whose fans walk away from a game and praise how hard UNLV played.

He wants players who are passionate and love football and everything it stands for and represents. Preparing. Studying film. Hydrating. Taking care of one’s body.

Reaching your potential every day.

That it’s all based on a level of energy that says someone wants to be a great player.

“If we do all that, we’ll get better throughout the season and peak in December at championship time,” Mullen said. “Schematically, we’ll see as time goes on. We might lead the league in rushing. We might lead it in passing. I don’t know. We might blitz every play. We might never blitz. We’ll see as things get going what our football identity is.

“But as far as attitude and mindset, it’s about relentless effort, passion and reaching our potential every day.”

Mullen praised the team’s energy for the first day of camp, happy it didn’t appear that players had taken a step back from when spring ball concluded.

In fact, he said he believed the retention and understanding on the offense and defense was even better than at that time.

He also believes such things will be far more apparent once pads go on.

It might be once or twice when he has to light a fuse and get players going. That doesn’t occur often, which says something for UNLV’s leadership. It has the Rebels believing.

“Our goal is to win and do whatever it takes to get there,” McDuffie said. “We have a chance to do something very special with this group. We have the talent. We just need to bring it every day. It’s a marathon and not a sprint. If we stay together, we’ll be where we want to be in December.”

Energizer Bunny

One of the players who stood out Wednesday was linebacker Justin Flowe, a former Oregon and Arizona player whose knack for getting others fired up is boundless.

“When the Energizer Bunny gets tired, he goes and sees Justin Flowe,” Mullen said. “He’s got that juice. But that’s the kind of guys I love. We love that in the program.

“Get around our guys. They love being out here. It’s a great team atmosphere. And with guys like (Flowe), it’s like, ‘Hey, this program fits my personality. High energy, high motor guys. It fits who I am.’”

So does competition.

That’s one of the biggest storylines of this camp.

One of the things Mullen enjoys most.

Guys fighting for jobs. Guys bringing it every snap.

Guys being relentless.

Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.