July 2, 2026 - 3:22 pm

The UNLV football program led the Mountain West Conference with 19 preseason all-conference selections in Athlon Sports’ preseason teams, the Rebels announced on Thursday.

Running back Jai’den Thomas, offensive lineman Austin Boyd and defensive lineman Lucas Conti earned first-team honors for UNLV, which also had five players named to the second team.

Quarterback Jackson Arnold, a transfer from Auburn, and tight end Keyan Burnett, who transferred from Arizona, headline the second-team selections alongside wide receiver Taeshaun Lyons, safety Jake Pope and place kicker Ramon Villela.

The program also had five third-team selections and six fourth-team honorees.

The Rebels had 11 preseason all-conference selections from Athlon Sports entering the 2025 season, including two first-team picks and no second-team selections, prior to the start of coach Dan Mullen’s first year leading the program.

UNLV opens the 2026 season against Memphis on Aug. 29 at Allegiant Stadium in Week 0 of the college football season.