UNLV lists Johnny Stanton and Kurt Palandech as starting QBs

There was one starter listed at every position except the most important one on UNLV’s post-spring, two-deep depth chart released Thursday by the Rebels.

Johnny Stanton and Kurt Palandech were both listed as the starting quarterback, although second-year UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said Stanton has a slight edge in the competition.

“Stanton’s a little bit ahead. That’s why we gave him the start in the (spring) game, just for his ability to be a natural thrower,” Sanchez said. “A lot of coaches want to bring in their guy. I don’t really care about that. I want us to win.”

The strong-armed Stanton, a junior college midyear transfer who began his career at Nebraska, finished spring on a high note after struggling to learn a new offense early on. The fleet-footed Palandech, a junior returnee, showed improvement as a passer in practice after completing less than half his throws last season.

“We all know Kurt can run, and he threw the ball a lot better than he did last year,” Sanchez said. “Johnny’s got more natural abilities. He doesn’t run the ball better (than Palandech), but he’s a better thrower.

“But neither one of them created any major separation between the two.”

Sanchez said he wants his quarterback to be able to make the simple throws this season, and Stanton is ahead of Palandech in that area.

“I don’t want to go through another season where we can’t complete a 10-yard out or a hitch,” Sanchez said. “I’m not looking for the spectacular throw. Throw the easy ones and move the chains. Right now, he does that a little bit better than Kurt.”

Sanchez expects one of his quarterbacks to take charge of the competition early in fall camp, when the team starts focusing on its Sept. 1 season opener against Jackson State.

“I really think that in the very beginning of camp, you’ll see a major separation that’s going to happen fast,” Sanchez said.

There are a plethora of players on the depth chart that appear certain to open the season as starters, including center Will Kreitler, left tackle Kyle Saxelid, right guard Justin Polu, running back Lexington Thomas, wide receivers Devonte Boyd and Kendal Keys, defensive end Jeremiah Valoaga, defensive tackle Mike Hughes Jr., linebacker Tau Lotulelei, and cornerbacks Tim Hough and Torry McTyer.

However, the depth chart only features players who were in spring practice and will probably change in the fall, when members of one of the school’s best recruiting classes ever enter the fray.

“There are some freshmen that are going to fight to take some of these guys’ spots,” Sanchez said. “What you’re seeing is depth that we did not have last year at all.”

Players expected to push for playing time as true freshmen include Bishop Gorman offensive linemen Jaron Caldwell and Julio Garcia III, offensive lineman Matt Brayton, running back Charles Williams, receiver Mekhi Stevenson, defensive lineman Leevel Tatum and linebacker David Tate.

Other newcomers expected to make an impact this season are linebacker LaKeith Walls, a fifth-year senior transfer from Illinois; redshirt freshman linebacker Gabe McCoy; and redshirt freshman wide receiver Darren Woods Jr., who will be part of a receiving corps that might be the best in the Mountain West.

Woods, who was arguably the biggest spring star, is listed as a starter alongside Boyd and Keys, with talented sophomore Brandon Presley backing them up.

“Boyd and Keys are great players, and the great thing about them is they’re now being pushed because Presley and Woods are right there on the same talent level with those guys,” Sanchez said. “Those guys are going to be good.”

Sanchez also expects big things from Thomas, a sophomore who earned the starting spot over Keith Whitely — the Rebels’ leading rusher last season — before the senior was suspended for the first three games next season for what Sanchez said Thursday was a violation of team rules.

“Lexington Thomas is the guy. He is the starter, and that’s it, going into Week 1,” Sanchez said. “He’s our most complete back, catching the ball out of the backfield, running the ball hard and being explosive.

“Between the receivers and the tailback we have returning, we’re pretty good. We’ve got some ability to be explosive.”

Along with a deeper, more experienced linebacking corps, Valoaga could be instrumental in helping UNLV’s long-suffering defense improve this season.

“If he gets to 260 (pounds), he’s going to play on Sundays,” Sanchez said. “Right now, he’s 245 dripping wet after a steak. But he’s by far the most explosive, athletic, capable guy we have on our whole defense.

“He could be a game changer.”

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