UNLV Rebels 2025 Football Preview: Top 10 Players To Watch This Season

Discover College Football News’ top 10 UNLV Rebels players for 2025, featuring key standouts like Marsel McDuffie, Jai’Den Thomas, and QB frontrunner Alex Orji.

UNLV Rebels running back Jai'Den Thomas (9) stiff arms Oregon State Beavers defensive back Skyler Thomas (17) during an NCAA football game against UNLV at Reser Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Corvallis, Ore. | Kevin Neri/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

College Football News recently did their preview for the 2025 UNLV Rebels football season. In this preview they made an intriguing list of the team's top 10 players heading into the upcoming season. We are going to give you the list and talk about a few of the players listed.

UNLV Rebels Top 10 Players

1. Marsel McDuffie, LB Sr.

2. Jai’Den Thomas, RB Jr.

3. Denver Harris, CB Sr.

4. Jaheem Joseph, S Sr.

5. Alex Orji, QB Jr.

6. Anthony Colandrea, QB Jr.

7. Aamaris Brown, S Sr.

8. Laterrance Welch, CB Sr.

9. Justin Flowe, LB Sr.

10. Tunmise Adeleye, DE Sr.

ILB Marsel McDuffie

McDuffie coming in at the top spot is interesting. The senior is tasked with replacing the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Jackson Woodard. Those are huge shoes to fill, but if he is the team's top player in 2025, it will be great news for the defense. 

RB Jai'Den Thomas 

The star running back is considered a contender for the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year this season. He is coming off an incredible season which culminated with an outstanding performance in the team's LA Bowl victory. If he takes another step this season, he can propel himself into becoming a UNLV legend. 

● RB Spotlight ●

Jai'den Thomas - UNLV

• Thomas is one of the top returning RBs in the #MountainWest & #G5. In his career he's rushed for 1,421 yards 19 Touchdowns averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He's also caught 18 passes for 153 yards 1 TD. pic.twitter.com/4VDK8CkLVQ

— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) June 11, 2025

QB Alex Orji

Orji being in the five spot is intriguing for one main reason, and it's because Anthony Colandrea is at No. 6. They have decided that Orji is the frontrunner for the highly contested starting job for the Rebels. The Michigan Wolverines transfer is viewed as the higher-upside and more versatile talent, but also more of a wild card.