The UNLV Rebels opened spring practice in full pads Friday, and the quarterback room is already drawing attention. Jackson Arnold, a senior transfer from Auburn, and Alex Orji, a senior returning from a season-ending knee injury, spoke about their respective journeys and the team’s goals for 2026.
Arnold, a former five-star recruit who began his college career at Oklahoma, came to UNLV with a point to prove. He is working under offensive coordinator Corey Dennis, who recruited him out of high school while at Ohio State. “There has been pressure at every stage I have been at and at every level,” Arnold said. “Fan bases at both OU and Auburn were intense. I understand the pressure and expectations but definitely have that chip on my shoulder to go out and prove myself.”
Arnold cited Mullen’s track record with quarterbacks as a key factor in his decision. He also emphasized the competition for reps: “For me, it’s just about focusing on what I can do and what I can control. Putting my best effort out there every day and playing each rep independently of the last.”
Orji, who transferred from Michigan last year, saw his 2025 season cut short after suffering a Grade 3 LCL sprain against UCLA that required surgery. He remains limited in mobility but believes the time off helped him grow. “I think it was extremely valuable being able to interact with the coaches and other quarterbacks like I did,” Orji said. “Being able to see the game from a different lens.”
Orji is working on pocket discipline while he recovers. “By staying in the pocket and not leaving early gives me more discipline to stay with the play and make sure I can fit (the ball) into tight windows,” he said. “I’ll be better for it when my mobility comes back.” He described the first month after surgery as the hardest: “Just stuck in the corner on a couch with a lot of pain.”
Both quarterbacks share the same ultimate goal. Arnold put it succinctly: “Winning the Mountain West championship and getting that bid to the (College Football Playoff). I know for our team that’s our standard, our goal and our expectation for this year.”
