UNLV football places league-best 5 on preseason Mountain West team

UNLV football places league-best 5 on preseason Mountain West team Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 9:36 a.m. The UNLV football program, long regarded as one of the Mountain West’s top contenders, features several of the conference’s standout athletes. A league‑best five Rebels earned positions on the 28‑member Preseason All‑Mountain West Team, which was chosen by media representatives and unveiled during the league’s Media Days at the Palms. Headlining the honorees is senior running back Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas, who enters the season ranked eighth in UNLV history with 2,457 career rushing yards and fifth with 31 rushing touchdowns. Additional Rebel recognitions go to offensive lineman Austin Boyd, who is shifting to center, and wide receiver Taeshaun Lyons, who tallied 16 receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns last season. Defensive lineman Lucas Conti and safety Jake Pope also received preseason accolades. Conti posted 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2025, while Pope recorded 38 tackles and an interception. The Mountain West’s preseason offensive player of the year is Hawaii sophomore running back Micah Alejado, a Bishop Gorman alumnus who guided the Rainbow Warriors to a nine‑win campaign in 2025 while throwing for 3,106 yards. The prese