UNLV Football: Will Rebels finally turn corner in 2018?
Offense
The Rebels finished 2017 with the nation’s 49th ranked offense per the S&P+. That surge was led by dynamic quarterback Armani Rogers who played in only ten games because of injury. The six-foot-five, 235 pound Rogers threw for 1,471 yards and six touchdowns (with five interceptions) while averaging 7.8 yards per attempt. As a dual-threat guy, Rogers added another 780 yards on the ground and eight rushing touchdowns. If he can stay healthy and continue to improve the Rebels could be bowl bound on the sophomore’s shoulders.
Supporting Cast
Lexington Thomas was expected to be a backup running back in 2017 but after starter Charles Williams was injured he became the feature back. Thomas ran for 1,336 yards and and 17 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. With Williams also back in the picture the Rebels have a trio in the backfield like they never have before. Williams averaged 7.8 yards per carry in limited duty last season, but also ran for 763 yards as a freshman in 2016.
At wide receiver, Devonte Boyd departs and takes with him 612 receiving yards and 18 yards per reception. Boyd was the clear number one threat for Rogers and will be replaced by a grouping of upstarts. Brandon Presley averaged 16 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns a year ago and could emerge as the top target. He’s joined by Kendal Keys, and Darren Woods Jr who combined for 57 receptions and three touchdowns in 2017.
The receiving corps also gets a boost from returning injured players Mekhi Stevenson and Drew Tejchman as well as emerging tight end Giovanni Fauolo and other three-star recruits Sanchez’s staff has brought in the past couple of seasons.
The offensive line loses their best two blockers but returns five guys that have made starts and three starters from last year’s offense. This could be the Group of 5’s most dominant running game, even more so than Navy.