Rebels QBs vying in friendly competition

When Johnny Stanton showed up for the first day of UNLV spring football practice looking like a linebacker at 6-feet-2-inches and a solid 245 pounds, the junior college transfer appeared poised to barrel over the competition for the Rebels starting quarterback job.

That might very well be the case by UNLV’s Sept. 1 season opener, but after two weeks of practice, the former Nebraska signal caller is locked in a close battle with incumbent starter Kurt Palandech, and redshirt freshman Dalton Sneed also is in the mix.

“If we had to play tomorrow, it’s kind of a 50-50 (decision),” Rebels coach Tony Sanchez said. “I wouldn’t know who to go with.”

The three quarterbacks have split first-team reps in the first seven of 14 practices leading up to UNLV’s April 9 spring game.

“Kurt is way above where he was last year. He’s reading defenses and making the right checks. He’s just got to make the throws. He’s working on that,” said UNLV quarterbacks coach Ron O’Dell, who coached Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in high school and is the nephew of Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

“Johnny’s still learning but he’s got a cannon of an arm. He’s just learning the offense is the thing. He knows some of it from Nebraska but a lot of the things are different, too,” O’Dell said. “Everything’s kind of happening fast for him right now but it’s a hell of a battle with Kurt and Johnny and Sneed’s working to get in that group.”

Stanton had one of his worst practices Friday, throwing two interceptions in scrimmage situations in the team’s final session before spring break.

“I don’t think anyone can say that they’re doing as well as they would like. That’s how spring ball is,” Stanton said. “Nobody’s really polished right now. I know I’m not. I have a long way to go, but I think we definitely have enough time in spring ball to get that done.

“There’s a lot of the offense that I recognize from Nebraska. The stuff I’m having the most trouble with right now is the stuff that isn’t.”

Sanchez said trying to learn a new offense in a short period of time has caused Stanton to suffer some “paralysis by analysis.”

“He did have a little bit of that the last two weeks but he’s getting better,” Sanchez said. “Overall, I think he’s done a pretty darn good job.”

O’Dell agreed that Stanton has been thinking too much and pressing at times.

“Once he relaxes, we know he’s a great player and he knows he’s a great player,” he said. “He’s just got to have the confidence to be able to do it.”

One thing that has helped ease Stanton’s transition to UNLV is his supportive relationship with Palandech and Sneed.

“Kurt, Dalton and I have a good competition going. I’m happy that it hasn’t become a tense situation in the position room,” he said. “That’s not something I’m really used to. The guys are really friendly and really good guys. We’re not really letting it affect us personally. We just know that whoever’s the best quarterback is going to win the job.

“I’m not used to having it be such a … friendly competition. That doesn’t sound like the right way to say it but it kind of is. The guys aren’t getting at each other’s throats. I’ve had that in the past at different levels so I appreciate it.”

Christian Lopez, a redshirt freshman walk-on from Green Valley High School, also has worked with the quarterbacks in practice.

In other key position battles, senior tight end Andrew Price is competing with junior college transfers Trevor Kanteman and Tim Holt for the top spot and senior middle linebacker Ryan McAleenan is trying to hold off junior college transfer Brian Keyes.

“Right now, Price has got to pick it up. He’s doing some good things but he’s still leaving a little out there. Kanteman is right on his heels and Holt has done some nice things,” Sanchez said. “Keyes has kind of been in the No. 2 role but he easily could fight into the No. 1 role.”

Keyes, who started his college career at Arizona, gives the Rebels an imposing presence in the middle at 6-1 and 255 pounds.

“Bringing in Brian is a big deal,” Sanchez said. “He’s just a big body and adds much-needed depth to that area.”

The same can be said of Stanton.

■ NOTE — UNLV will resume spring practice at 8:10 a.m. on March 28 at Rebel Park. All practices are open to the public.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33.