The UNLV football program hit the ground running when fall training camp opened on Wednesday, with some of the biggest question marks entering the 2026 season residing on the defensive side of the ball.
Among the position groups under the microscope is the linebacker corps, which will be tasked with replacing key contributors Marsel McDuffie and Isaiah Patterson while serving as the backbone of a defense looking to bounce back this fall.
Despite winning the Mountain West regular-season title and advancing to a third consecutive conference championship game in 2025, the Rebels ranked seventh in the 12-team conference defensively, allowing 28.1 points and 408.8 yards per game.
Guiding the linebackers is Mike Scherer, who returned to Las Vegas this offseason after spending two seasons as UNLV’s defensive coordinator under former head coach Barry Odom from 2023-24.
Scherer inherits a linebacker room that combines returning production with experienced transfers, including junior Blesyng Alualu-Tuiolemotu, Clemson transfer Dee Crayton and Holy Cross transfer Cam Santee.
“I think we have a lot of guys who have a lot of tools, a lot of specific skill sets, and we’re going to use them,” Scherer said. “Whoever proves that they have what it takes to play and help our team is going to play.
“In our defensive scheme, there are a lot of different areas that we can have an effect as linebackers, and the more people that prove they can play, the more they’ll be out there on the field.”
Alualu-Tuiolemotu emerged as one of UNLV’s most dependable linebackers last season, recording 61 total tackles, one pass breakup and one forced fumble during his sophomore campaign. Entering 2026, the junior has also become one of the vocal leaders of the Rebels’ defense.
“Blesyng was a guy who was here when I first got here, so he has a lot of familiarity here and also with me,” Scherer said of the returning junior. “I know what I’m getting from him from Day 1.
“They feel like this is their home, this is their place, and they should. It’s just the confidence that is required when coming out onto the field.”
While Alualu-Tuiolemotu provides familiarity, Crayton brings experience from one of college football’s premier programs.
Crayton spent three seasons with the Tigers and, despite seeing limited game action, Scherer believes practicing in a championship-caliber program has prepared him to make an immediate impact at UNLV.
“(Crayton) is an incredibly smart football player,” Scherer said. “He understands the big picture of the defense. He understands what it requires to communicate and get people lined up.
“Being at Clemson, you’re in those big-time situations, so when you step out on the field, it is no longer a nervous situation; you’re ready to go, and those guys have a little bit of an advantage.”
Not every addition to the linebacker room comes from a Power Four background. Senior transfer Santee arrives after an accomplished career at the FCS level, where he established himself as one of the Patriot League’s top defenders.
Santee capped his Holy Cross career by recording 110 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and five forced fumbles in 12 games during the 2025 season.
After making the jump to the FBS level, Santee is eager to prove he can compete against top competition while helping the Rebels chase the program’s first conference title.
“I always wanted to come up to the next step. I want to go play in the NFL,” Santee said. “In order to do that, you have got to prove it at every level that you can, and I feel like I’m coming here with a lot of game experience under my belt.
“I’m always flying around, and you’re going to see me running through every player.”
UNLV will open its 2026 season against the Memphis Tigers during Week 0 of the college football season on Aug. 29.
