The Nine Islands (UH & UNLV) CFB 26

[YaBoyRobRoy]

[The JZA]

Rebels about to run through a gauntlet while Hawai'i's only real challenge is California & Boise State and a dormant volcano

[YaBoyRobRoy]

Fourth Time's The Charm?
Quarterback Battle Heats Up at UNLV: Nelson vs. McMillan

The desert is buzzing as UNLV football prepares for its next chapter under head coach Dan Mullen, and all eyes are on one position: quarterback. With two high-profile transfers arriving in Las Vegas, the competition for QB1 could be one of the most compelling story lines in the Big 12 this season.

Malachi Nelson, a former five-star recruit who most recently played at UTEP, and Treston McMillan, a dynamic transfer from Washington, bring different strengths and pedigrees to the Rebels’ quarterback room. Both enter the fall with the chance to take command of one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.

Nelson’s Journey: From Hype to Redemption
Once regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation, Nelson’s path has been anything but traditional. After short stints at USC, Boise State and UTEP, he’s now looking to rediscover the form that made him a household name in recruiting circles.

Nelson’s arm talent is undeniable — he has the ability to make every throw on the field, from deep sideline fades to tight-window strikes over the middle. But the question for him is consistency. At UTEP (in our dynasty), he was still unable to crack the starting lineup and found himself on the sideline for a third straight year.

Las Vegas could be the reset button Nelson needs as he has the tools to thrive if he can master Mullen’s system and regain his confidence.

McMillan’s Arrival: The Dual-Threat Spark
On the other side of the competition, McMillan arrives from Washington, where he developed a reputation as an athletic, versatile quarterback. While he didn’t get significant snaps in Seattle, his skill set brings something unique to the Rebels’ offense: mobility.

McMillan thrives outside the pocket, extending plays with his legs and creating mismatches against defenses that have to account for both the run and the pass. In practices, he’s already shown a knack for improvisation, connecting with receivers downfield while on the move.

"He reminds me a lot of Alex Orji," said head coach Dan Mullen. "He's already mastering the playbook and looks like the veteran out there. It's going to be a tight race."

His challenge will be proving he can consistently deliver from the pocket, especially in a Big 12 loaded with aggressive defenses that thrive on forcing quarterbacks into mistakes and offenses that light up the scoreboard.

Looking Ahead
With UNLV expected to compete for a title in their new conference, the outcome of this quarterback battle could determine just how high the Rebels’ ceiling really is. Nelson and McMillan each have the potential to lead the team to double-digit wins, but only one will be trusted to start when the Rebels open their season at Akron in week 0.

Until then, fans can expect every snap in fall camp to feel like an audition. And in a city built on competition, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

[Soapy]

Demaricus

[djp73]

stellar seasons from both squads.
how do the rosters compare to last season's?

[YaBoyRobRoy]

Rebels about to run through a gauntlet while Hawai'i's only real challenge is California & Boise State and a dormant volcano

lmao not the dormant volcano.

Demaricus

If I wasn't a Hawaii/Alejado homer, Davis would be starting with the roster that i'm using. He's the better player on paper but I hate that I can't change his number 20.

stellar seasons from both squads.
how do the rosters compare to last season's?

man it was a crazy turnover roster wise. Losing 38 (UH) and 48 (UNLV) players respectively was rough, we lost a lot of depth. UNLV is fielding 21 new starters this season......so it's at least a fresh team we will be playing as. UNLV only brought in a class of 20 so if they start getting hit with injuries they could be in a lot of trouble. As for Hawaii, i'm very excited to play on the defensive side of the ball. We were able to land the number one FS and CB in the portal, then adding the number 1 center will help Alejado stay off his feet.

[YaBoyRobRoy]

[YaBoyRobRoy]

WEEK 0, 2026

[Soapy]

Malachi

[redsox907]

Malachi looking at McMillian