UNLV wrapped up the 2026 early signing period with a class that reflects exactly what Dan Mullen has been preaching since he landed in Las Vegas: build the trenches, raise the athletic baseline, and win recruiting battles UNLV historically doesn’t win.

This class isn’t about splash; it’s about construction. It’s about stacking bodies that fit the scheme, raising the program’s floor, and showing the Mountain West that UNLV intends to stay at the top of the league.

Below is a complete player-by-player scouting snapshot, offers, production, physical tools, projection, and how each fits into Mullen’s long-term build.

247 Rating: 86 | Composite: 0.8700 | Offers: Arkansas, Cal, Kansas, Minnesota, SDSU, among others

Garcia is the headliner of the class and the clearest long-term quarterback bet Mullen has made so far. His throwing profile jumps off the screen: 6,741 career passing yards, 72 TDs, and a completion rate over 63% across three years as a varsity starter. He’s one of the most polished pure passers on the West Coast: compact mechanics, elite touch to all three levels, and the ability to layer throws between defenders.

What elevates him from “good high school QB” to “high-end collegiate projection” is the mobility. He rushed for 649 yards and 11 TDs as a senior, showing the same pocket-movement traits that Mullen maximizes in his offense. He’s very comfortable escaping, resetting his platform, and hitting throws on the move.

Fit: Garcia is the future of the room. He won’t need to start immediately, but he brings a Power-4 skillset to UNLV. This is the type of signing you stack a program around.

247 Rating: 88 | Composite: 0.8822 | Offers: Kansas State, Liberty, East Carolina, FIU, 20+ total

If you’re looking for the “real steal of the class,” it’s Harden. A Florida athlete with SEC-level burst, Harden averaged 30.8 yards per catch as a junior and scored 19 receiving TDs, plus 4 INTs on defense and 3 total return touchdowns. His multi-phase profile is ridiculous: size, explosion, fluidity, and legitimate trackable production.

He plays faster than his listed measurables suggest and is a true vertical separator with the body control to adjust to deep balls. This is the outside WR profile UNLV rarely signs from Florida: length, twitch, and real production.

Fit: Could play early because of his special teams value and deep-ball skillset. Long-term WR1 upside.

247 Rating: 84 | Composite: 0.8500 | Offers: Northern Arizona, Portland State, Sacramento State

A total Mullen “traits bet,” Carner is a 6’3, 205 jumbo receiver with verified track numbers (11.17/22.68) and a frame that screams red-zone weapon. At Newbury Park, he posted 402 receiving yards and 5 TDs in just six games, plus added defensive snaps and special teams work.

He’s raw but has high-ceiling body control at the catch point, strong hands, and a frame that could easily push 225–230 pounds. Some evaluators think he may grow into a Joker tight end role.

Fit: Developmental outside target or flex TE. High upside in the right usage.

247 Rating: 83 | Composite: 0.8500
Offers: Washington, Washington State, North Carolina, San Diego State, UNLV
Position in UNLV Class: Wide Receiver

Nunley is one of the purest “projection upside” bets in UNLV’s 2026 class — the exact type of athlete a staff with a long-term developmental plan wants to grab early. A verified 6’2 with a wiry 175-pound frame, Nunley shows natural explosion, long speed, and fluidity that translate cleanly to the college level.

Even though 247 lists him as an ATH, UNLV signed him as a wide receiver, which makes sense when you watch the way he tracks the football and creates late separation downfield. He has the long-strider acceleration you typically see from West Coast track receivers and a natural ability to adjust to deep balls without breaking stride.

What makes him so valuable is versatility. His recruitment reflected that Washington, Washington State, and UNC evaluated him as a defensive back or multiposition athlete. UNLV saw an opportunity to flip the projection and bring in a vertical outside WR with frame-growth potential.

Nunley plays with looseness in his hips, finishes catches away from his body, and flashes the kind of long-term athletic upside that could make him a major steal once he fills out to 190+. He’s raw in some areas, route detail, and physicality at the top of routes, but the foundational traits are there.

Fit: Developmental outside receiver with legitimate high-end upside. Early special teams contributor. Once he grows into his body and sharpens his route tree, he projects as a vertical threat and matchup problem in Mullen’s offense.

247 Rating: 88 | Composite: 0.8711
Offers: Baylor, Bowling Green, San Diego State, Arkansas State, 20+ total
Athletic Background: Basketball + Track (11.56–11.72 100m)

One of the most proven and polished receivers UNLV has signed in the modern era. Bell Jr. arrives with both pedigree and production, the son of former Oklahoma State/NFL running back Tatum Bell, and a résumé that shows continual year-to-year ascension.

As a junior, Bell Jr. exploded for 64 catches, 925 yards, and 11 touchdowns, following a strong sophomore campaign with 50 catches for 547 yards and 7 TDs. He’s a complete wideout: sudden off the line, crisp in and out of breaks, and capable of winning both underneath and vertically. His multi-sport background shows up on tape: fluid acceleration from track, body control from basketball, and a playmaker’s mindset from his football lineage.

Despite not being the biggest receiver, he plays through contact exceptionally well and has legitimate YAC upside because of his balance and short-area burst. UNLV hasn’t consistently signed wideouts with this level of refinement, burst, and early-production potential.

This is the exact profile that typically goes to Big 12 or AAC programs, and Mullen out-recruited multiple regional powers to secure him.

Fit: Day-one two-deep candidate at slot or Z. Projects as a high-volume mover of chains with WR1 athletic upside. Should compete early because of polish and versatility.

247 Rating: 85 | Composite: 0.8433 | Offers: 30 total, including Appalachian State, Akron, Austin Peay, Louisville interest, multiple G5 programs

One of the most absurdly productive receivers in the entire 2026 class. Zachary finished his career with 250 receptions, 3,469 yards, and 37 touchdowns, plus over 4,200 all-purpose yards. He is electric in space, dynamic after the catch, and plays much bigger than his 5’7 frame because of elite body control and timing.

Zachary separates consistently — quick feet, sharp breaks, and a natural ability to find voids in zone coverage. He’s also one of the best high school slot technicians in the South, and his run-after-catch ability fits Dan Mullen’s space-driven passing game perfectly.

Fit: Instant slot option with punt-return value. High-volume production profile who could carve out early touches because of reliability and twitch.

247 Rating: 85 | Composite: 0.8533 | Offers: UNLV (signed), interest from several MW programs

Lendsey is one of the most productive backs in California: 955 rushing yards, 484 receiving yards, 1,439 all-purpose yards, and an absurd 8.2 yards per carry. He might be the most versatile offensive piece in the class. He can run between the tackles, bounce outside, line up in the slot, and function as a true space player.

His film shows elite short-area burst, quick feet, and the ability to force missed tackles through balance more than brute power. UNLV hasn’t had a back this scheme-friendly to Mullen’s offense in years.

Fit: Ideal 3rd-down/change-of-pace back early. Could grow into a 1B starter.

247 Rating: 85 | Composite: 0.8500 | Offers: UCLA, UNR, Air Force, Army, Hawaii, among others

A massive win by keeping a Bishop Gorman defensive weapon home. Diaz-Nicolaidis posted 43 solo tackles, 21 TFL, and 15 QB hurries for one of the top defenses in the country. He’s a violent, heavy-handed edge/linebacker hybrid with legit closing speed at 250 pounds.

His versatility is the real value: he can play stand-up EDGE, boundary backer, or even a reduced 4i in certain fronts.

Fit: Day-one contributor on special teams, rotational EDGE early, future every-down disruptor.

247 Rating: 85 | Composite: 0.8644 | Offers: Cal, Colorado State, Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, among others

One of the cleanest offensive line prospects UNLV has landed in the modern recruiting era. Garcia has the size (6’5, 276), length, and movement skills of a future left tackle. His tape shows smooth pass sets, an anchor that’s still developing, and the mobility to climb to the second level.

Garcia was on Power-4 radars, especially, and UNLV's win in this recruitment shows the staff’s improved profile in California.

Fit: Developmental LT/RT. True future building block tackle.

247 Rating: 87 | Composite: 0.8678 | Offers: Oregon State, Arizona State, Illinois, Louisville, among others

Pure power. White is a 310-pound mauler with strong hands, a wide base, and the mentality to bury defenders in the run game. His frame is college-ready, and he fits the “drive block, gap-scheme” profile Mullen loves.

He also carries his weight extremely well. His combine movement numbers were strong, and his ceiling is probably highest at right tackle or guard.

Fit: Competes for the two-deep early. Long-term multi-year starter potential.

247 Rating: 83 | Composite: 0.8522 | Offers: Colorado State, Sacramento State

Project tackle with massive physical upside. Bilaver’s biggest selling points are his 6’6 frame, length, and functional athleticism. He moves well in space and shows real promise as a pass blocker, but he’ll need a college weight room and technical refinement.

This is a pure upside swing, exactly the kind you take now that the baseline O-line talent is rising.

Fit: Redshirt candidate who could become a starting tackle by Year 3.

247 Rating: NR | Offers: New Mexico, SDSU

A local pickup with a developmental profile that UNLV’s new strength program can mold. Scott is 6’6 with long levers, shows good bend for a tall tackle, and flashes the foot quickness needed to project as a pass protector.

He’s raw and needs to add 25-30 pounds, but he moves like a future tackle and has a frame you can’t teach.

Fit: Long-term project with starter upside if he hits his physical benchmarks.

247 Rating: 86 | Composite: 0.8567 | Offers: Fresno State (prior commit), Air Force, Army, CSU, Cornell, among others

A brutally strong interior lineman who plays with excellent leverage and finishes every rep. Haney dominated high-level Trinity League competition and has the punch strength to displace defensive tackles off the line. He’s the most refined interior prospect UNLV signed.

Great motor, strong hands, and a guard/center projection.

Fit: Future starting guard. One of the safest players in the class.

247 Rating: 86 | Composite: 0.8644 | Offers: Coastal Carolina, Akron, CMU, BG, FAU, among others

A Midwest mauler with real lateral quickness. Sanchez has a wrestling background that shows up on film, low pad level, strong grip, and the ability to torque defenders out of gaps.

He plays with nastiness and is one of the more underrated line prospects UNLV has landed from outside the region.

Fit: Guard/center versatility. Could crack rotation earlier than expected.

247 Rating: 87 | Composite: 0.8800
Offers: Cal Poly, Delaware State, New Mexico, Portland State, among others

Njoku is one of the most physically gifted front-seven defenders UNLV has signed in the modern recruiting era: a long, explosive 6’3, 225-pound athlete who tested and played like a Power-4 outside linebacker but fell into UNLV’s lap because he didn’t pursue the national camp circuit.

Njoku’s first step is elite. He explodes out of his stance with real juice, consistently threatening the outside shoulder of tackles, and he has the stride length to close space in a hurry. Culver City used him as both a stand-up EDGE and an overhang linebacker, and his ability to bend, flatten, and finish is exactly what Mullen’s defensive staff values in their hybrid defenders.

But Njoku isn’t just a pass rusher. He diagnoses screens well, takes disciplined angles in pursuit, and plays with controlled aggression. He rarely overruns plays, which is impressive for a player with his twitch and length. His frame is still ascending, too; he looks like a future 240-plus pounder without losing mobility.

Njoku’s ranking (top-700 nationally) reflects what evaluators think he can become: a long-term high-impact defender with an NFL frame. These are the recruiting wins that signal UNLV’s talent profile is changing.

Fit: Projects as a SAM/EDGE hybrid with every-down potential. Could compete early on special teams and sub-package pressure packages. Long-term upside is as high as any defender in the class.

247 Rating: 87 | Composite: 0.8700 | Offers: Boston College, Boise State, Arizona, CSU, Idaho, among others

One of the highest-ceiling defenders in the class. Fox has the frame (260 lbs), first step, and heavy hands of a future all-conference EDGE. His sophomore and junior tape shows elite play recognition, strong edge setting, and true pass rush counters.

He was a national-level recruit who took Power-4 visits. UNLV winning this battle is massive.

Fit: Competes immediately in the rotation. Could become UNLV’s next elite pass rusher.

247 Rating: 82 | Composite: 0.8456 | Offers: Iowa State, Utah State, Idaho, NAU

Albrecht is a twitchy, high-motor pass rusher with legit length and closing speed. He’s lighter than Fox but more flexible, able to dip and bend the edge in ways most high school players can’t.

This is a classic “frame + motor + burst” evaluation win.

Fit: Early situational pass rusher; long-term starter upside with added weight.

247 Rating: 82 | Composite: 0.8344 | Offers: Ole Miss, EKU, Georgetown, Stetson, among others

A Florida interior lineman with the exact traits UNLV needs in the middle: 15 TFL, 2 PBUs, and a frame that can carry 300+. Waters has great initial quickness for his size and does a strong job holding his gap against doubles.

He’s the kind of defensive tackle you win with late in the season.

Fit: Rotational DT early; potential starter by Year 2.

247 Rating: 84 | Composite: 0.8500 | Offers: Kansas State, Hawaii, Utah State

A true Las Vegas interior anchor. At 6’4, 315, Purcell is a space-eater with surprising lateral agility. He’s extremely hard to move and consistently wins early in reps with leverage and core strength.

UNLV keeping this one home matters as he is a cultural fit and a long-term run-stuffer who also flashes pass-rush potential.

Fit: Nose/3-tech versatility. Future multi-year starter.

247 Rating: 85 | Composite: 0.8578 | Offers: Arizona, SDSU, CSU, SJSU, NAU**

One of the most productive and violent linebackers in California. Hewitt flipped from being a 1,400-yard running back to a full-time defensive weapon, posting 62 tackles and an INT as a junior.

He diagnoses plays quickly, hits hard, and runs extremely well for a 215-pound backer. This is the speed and athleticism UNLV needs to defend the perimeter.

Fit: Projects as Will or hybrid LB. Could see the field early on special teams.

247 Rating: NR | Composite: NR
Offers: Appalachian State, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Gardner-Webb, 11 total

Parodi is one of the most overlooked defensive backs in the Southeast: a long, physical, 6’2 safety who plays with real patience and discipline on the back end. His recruitment is a great example of UNLV expanding its footprint into Georgia, where long-framed defensive backs are plentiful but rarely leave the region unless a staff is aggressively evaluating and projecting upside.

What stands out immediately is his range. Parodi covers ground effortlessly, with smooth transitions, loose hips, and the ability to open up and run with vertical routes from the slot. His junior film shows repeated reps of him closing space downhill, taking perfect angles, and finishing in space with clean form tackling.

He’s also extremely comfortable in off-man and quarters looks. He reads route stems well, doesn’t panic when receivers break, and trusts his length to squeeze throwing windows. At nearly 200 pounds, he brings enough physicality to play the alley and enough mobility to stay over the top. That combination is rare, especially for a player who didn’t get national media exposure.

Another positive: Parodi is a communicator. Cambridge’s defense put a lot on his plate: rotations, coverage checks, and disguises, and he handled it like a coach on the field.

This is a classic “find” by Mullen’s defensive staff. Not a rankings win, but a true evaluation win based on tools, processing, and fit.

Fit: Projects as a field safety or STAR hybrid. Early special teams impact with starter upside as he adds weight and grows into his frame. The length and instincts give him a much higher ceiling than his ranking suggests.

247 Rating: 85 | Composite: 0.8578
Offers: UNC (former commit), North Texas, New Mexico, New Mexico State, UNLV (signed), 10 total

One of the biggest recruiting wins of Mullen’s first full cycle, UNLV flipped Lewis from his commitment to North Carolina, a legitimately significant head-to-head victory for the Rebels. Anytime UNLV goes into Texas and pulls a high-level defender from a Power-4 commitment, it signals a shift in the program’s recruiting ceiling and this flip is exactly that.

Lewis is an elite competitor in every sense. A Texas 5A state champion wrestler (39-0) at 190 pounds, he brings rare leverage, balance, and finishing power to the safety position. On film, he’s one of the most technically clean tacklers in the region, with low hips, strong hands, and almost impossible to shake in space.

His junior production backs the traits: 61 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, and excellent pursuit angles from both deep safety and box alignments. But Lewis also brings offensive IQ that most DBs don’t have. As a sophomore, he was a two-way weapon who accounted for 1,696 yards of offense and 17 total touchdowns, including 830 rushing yards at nearly 10 YPC. That quarterback background shows up in his anticipation; he reads route combinations like someone who’s been on the other side of them.

Lewis plays with a controlled violence that UNLV’s defense has needed more of. He fits the modern defensive back prototype: quick trigger downhill, strong enough to handle alley responsibilities, rangy enough to play over the top, and competitive enough to contribute immediately.

Fit: Early special teams impact with a real chance to climb the safety depth chart fast. Projects long-term as a starting safety or STAR hybrid. One of the most important defensive additions in the class, and the UNC flip makes it a statement win.

247 Rating: NR | Offers: UNLV (signed)

Blair is a long, reactive corner with strong instincts and physicality. His production is excellent—53 tackles, 5 PBUs, and a forced fumble over two seasons. He mirrors well in man coverage and has a very clean backpedal.

He’s a sleeper because he didn’t camp nationally, but the tools are real.

Fit: Developmental corner with upside to play in Mullen’s press-man concepts.

247 Rating: 86 | Composite: 0.8644 | Offers: Auburn, Arkansas, Purdue, Arkansas State, among others

Mathews is one of the most underrated defensive backs in the South. His tape is violent, downhill striker, ball skills, willingness to tackle in space, and the range to play either safety or corner.

His athleticism is SEC-caliber, and the fact that UNLV pulled him from Mississippi against Power-4 competition is a testament to the staff’s recruiting reach.

Fit: Could play nickel, boundary corner, or safety. Immediate special teams contributor.