UNLV’s quarterback position enters the offseason at a crossroads following the departure of Anthony Colandrea. While the Rebels are expected to explore the transfer portal, it is important to clarify that portal movement does not equate to confirmed pursuit, contact or offers.
What follows is an evaluation of realistic quarterback profiles. Players whose availability, background and on-field traits align with UNLV’s current roster construction and offensive identity. This analysis reflects fit and feasibility, not inside information or confirmed recruitment.
Colandrea’s exit does not force UNLV into desperation. The Rebels return an established offensive structure, experienced skill players and a system built around spacing, tempo and efficiency. The decision now is philosophical: prioritize experience, upside or a balanced blend of both.
Several quarterbacks fit that framework.
One of the most straightforward schematic fits is Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a former Colorado State starter with extensive Mountain West experience. Fowler-Nicolosi appeared in 24 career games and operated one of the conference’s most pass-heavy offenses.
In 2023, he completed 292 of 470 passes for 3,460 yards, 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, followed by a 2024 season of 2,796 yards with a reduced interception rate. His game is built on timing and rhythm rather than improvisation or quarterback-centric run design.
From an evaluative standpoint, Fowler-Nicolosi represents stability. He understands Mountain West defenses, has handled high-volume passing workloads and fits an offense that values staying on schedule. His ceiling may be defined, but his floor is established.
If Fowler-Nicolosi represents continuity, Aidan Chiles represents upside. A former top-60 national recruit, Chiles brings size, arm strength and legitimate dual-threat ability, along with starting experience at Oregon State and Michigan State.
Across the past two seasons, Chiles threw for 3,807 yards with 23 touchdowns while adding 452 rushing yards and nine scores. His most recent season showed improvement in ball security, cutting interceptions while maintaining explosive play capability.
From a fit perspective, Chiles would raise UNLV’s physical ceiling. His ability to stress defenses horizontally and vertically aligns with modern spread concepts, particularly in red-zone and short-yardage situations. The trade-off is variance. His evaluation hinges on consistency rather than capability.
Another high-upside profile is Air Noland, whose candidacy is largely projection-based. Noland saw limited college action, but his high school résumé places him among the most productive quarterbacks of his recruiting cycle.
Noland threw for more than 10,000 yards and 126 touchdowns while leading Langston Hughes High School to a Georgia state championship. Evaluations consistently highlighted his quick release, processing speed and comfort attacking all levels of the field.
For UNLV, Noland would represent a long-term investment rather than an immediate solution. His profile aligns with an offense built on structure and decision-making, but any program evaluating him must be comfortable with developmental runway.
If the priority is efficiency and structure, Isaac Wilson fits that mold. Wilson saw extended action at Utah during the 2024 season, completing 127 passes for 1,510 yards with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Wilson’s background at Corner Canyon High School established him as an accurate, timing-based passer, and his college usage reflected a system emphasizing situational football. While his interception total requires context, his processing and ball placement profile as floor-raising traits.
From an analytical standpoint, Wilson would not redefine UNLV’s offense, but he could stabilize it. His value lies in execution rather than improvisation.
Perhaps the most statistically productive quarterback available is Marcus Stokes, who enters the portal after a dominant 2025 season at the University of West Florida. Stokes threw for 3,297 yards and 30 touchdowns while adding 10 rushing scores, earning conference and regional player-of-the-year honors.
The evaluation question with Stokes is translation. Division II production does not automatically scale to the FBS level, but his background as a former four-star recruit and his efficiency within structure suggest legitimate upside if paired with the right environment.
Stokes represents a ceiling bet backed by production rather than projection alone.
Rounding out the group is Luke Carney, whose profile is developmental by design. Carney saw limited action as a Syracuse freshman, but his high school résumé is among the most prolific in Texas private school history.
Carney accounted for more than 13,000 total yards and led his team to four consecutive state championships. His efficiency, ball security and leadership traits make him a long-term investment rather than a short-term answer.
Taken together, these quarterbacks illustrate the range of realistic paths available to UNLV. This is not a search for a replica of Colandrea’s play style. It is an evaluation of fit within an offense that has succeeded by minimizing negative plays, controlling tempo and letting skill players operate in space.
Portal timelines are fluid, and evaluations evolve throughout the offseason. The names discussed here reflect reasonable analytical fits, not reported interest or confirmed pursuit.
Ultimately, UNLV’s quarterback decision will shape its offensive identity moving forward. The options exist. The challenge is choosing the right balance between certainty and upside.
