For UNLV football fans, 2024 will forever be remembered as a turning point. This season was more than historic; it was transformational. After years of underwhelming results, the Rebels stormed onto the national stage, setting attendance records, cracking the national rankings for the first time in program history, and earning accolades that reflect a program on the rise. This was not a miracle season; it was a return on investment—a testament to what happens when vision and resources meet determination.
The foundation for this success was laid long before the first kickoff. The state-of-the-art Fertitta Football Complex, completed in 2019, and the decision to invest $750 million in Allegiant Stadium created a world-class environment that has attracted top-tier talent. These facilities sent a clear message: UNLV is committed to building a winning program. Allegiant Stadium, which opened in 2020, was a game-changer. Originally, there were plans for a smaller, $400 million stadium near campus, but community leaders aimed higher, creating a venue that has become a crown jewel for both UNLV and the Las Vegas Raiders.
This season, under head coach Barry Odom, the Rebels captured the imagination of fans and national observers alike. The team’s success was fueled by the right mix of talent, strategy and timing. Odom’s leadership and the players’ relentless drive brought the program to unprecedented heights. However, the season’s narrative is also defined by individual achievements that transcend wins and losses—none more so than the remarkable journey of linebacker Jackson Woodard.
A senior from Little Rock, Arkansas, Woodard epitomizes the new standard for UNLV football. A two-year captain and the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Woodard’s on-field performance was stellar. He ranks second nationally in interceptions and passes defended, while his 61 tackles place him among the Mountain West’s best. His accolades include being named national defensive player of the week by both the Walter Camp Foundation and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy committee after an electrifying opening win at Houston.
What truly sets Woodard apart is his impact off the field. Graduating with a 3.77 GPA in kinesiology, he became UNLV football’s first-ever First Team Academic All-America honoree. His leadership extends beyond football, with nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award highlighting his community commitment. Woodard’s crowning achievement came when he was named a finalist for the National Football Foundation’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year—a first in UNLV history. This recognition represents a milestone for the program and a testament to the investments that have reshaped UNLV football. While the award ultimately went to Alabama standout Jalen Milroe, Woodard’s nomination signals a new era for the Rebels, where excellence on and off the field is becoming the standard.
Woodard’s success and the visibility it brought to UNLV football point to a promising future for the program. Randall Cunningham, still the only UNLV player enshrined in the National College Football Hall of Fame, remains a symbol of the program’s history. However, Woodard’s achievements and the program’s growing national recognition suggest that he may not remain the only Rebel in the Hall for long. This year’s success signals that the bar has been raised, and the best may be yet to come.
As the program looks ahead, change is inevitable. Barry Odom’s departure to Purdue marks the end of an era, but the arrival of Dan Mullen as head coach promises to build on this year’s momentum. The pieces are in place, and the program’s vision has never been clearer.
UNLV’s 2024 season is proof that investing in excellence pays dividends. Years from now, fans will remember this season as the moment UNLV football redefined what it means to compete at the highest level. This was not just about wins or rankings—it was about a community daring to dream bigger and achieving something extraordinary.