UNLV quarterback competition begins anew at first spring practice

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 | 2 a.m.

UNLV football took the field at Rebel Park on Tuesday for the first day of spring practice, and while the occasion called for a healthy dose of optimism, fun and positive vibes, for the three quarterbacks vying to be the starter in 2022 it was all business.

Every snap, every pass, every drill--the coaching staff clocked it all, with an eye toward determining which QB will earn the top job when the season opens more than five months from now.

When asked if his quarterbacks understand the competition has already begun, head coach Marcus Arroyo left no doubt.

“They’d better,” Arroyo said.

All business.

Arroyo is not messing around with the sport’s most important position this year. Tuesday’s session lasted more than two hours and featured three quarterbacks taking almost all of the reps in the portions of practice that were open to media: Sophomores Doug Brumfield, Cameron Friel and Harrison Bailey.

In what is scheduled to be the first of 15 sessions over the next four weeks, not a single rep went to waste. Arroyo said the coaching staff is charting every play in spring ball, using every practice snap as a data point to inform his ultimate decision when it comes time to name a QB.

The third-year head coach also laid out what it will take to win the job.

“They’ve got to be the toughest guys on the football team, bottom line,” Arroyo said. “Mentally, physically, emotionally. It’s just the position. It’s inherent. They’ve got to have great command and they’ve got to understand, they’ve got to be really high-IQ.”

UNLV went through a similar quarterback competition last season, a battle that Brumfield and Friel eventually lost to Justin Rogers. Both returners still ended up earning significant playing time in 2021, as Brumfield started two games and Friel started eight.

Brumfield flashed with his big arm and athleticism before a fractured bone in his back ended his campaign prematurely.

Friel began the season third on the depth chart and took over after Brumfield’s injury. As a true frosh he completed 62.4% of his passes and threw for 1,608 yards with six touchdowns and 11 interceptions, good enough to win Mountain West Freshman of the Year.

After an offseason of rest and rehab, Brumfield is back to full health and is embracing another round on the quarterback carousel.

“It’s a blessing just being out here being able to run and throw again,” Brumfield said. “Coming from a couple months ago I could barely walk, so to be out here to compete with these guys is amazing.”

Arroyo expects Friel to make the most of the experience he gained by being tossed into the fire last year.

“In spring ball as an early enrollee last year he had seven total reps,” Arroyo said. “Year 2, things slow down big time.”

The latest entry to the competition is Bailey, a transfer from Tennessee who brings a 4-star pedigree and a ton of talent to the equation. In limited action as a freshman in 2020 he completed 70.6% of his passes for 578 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. After a coaching change he got into just one game last year and attempted just three passes, prompting him to enter the transfer portal.

Bailey cited his relationship with Arroyo as the biggest reason he chose UNLV and had good things to say about his time in Las Vegas so far.

“It’s been awesome,” Bailey said. “I’m very thankful for these guys, this opportunity. The coaches are cool. Great atmosphere. Awesome time in Vegas.”

Bailey has been hard at work trying to catch up to his competition. His first task is learning the offense; Brumfield and Friel may have a head start in that regard, but UNLV bringing in a new offensive coordinator this season (Nick Holz) has somewhat leveled the playing field.

Holz spent the last 10 years with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, including the last two as assistant wide receivers coach.

Though he’s still in the process of conquering the playbook, Bailey complimented the Arroyo/Holz offense and laid out his high expectations.

“It’s probably the hardest offense that I’ve learned,” Bailey said. “It would be my third offense in three years. Complicated, but it’s very explosive. We’re going to score a lot of points this year.”

While Bailey gets settled, Arroyo has been impressed by the newcomer’s leadership.

“He’s got some traits intrinsically that are really good,” Arroyo said. “He’s hungry. He’s a ball junkie. He’s here all the time. He brings a lot of guys out with him when he does come to get some work, which is big. A true sign of leadership. Not just doing things on his own, but finding guys to bring with him. I thought today was a good opportunity for him to get some reps with guys and see full speed and try to execute the offense, which is brand new to him.”

It's only one practice, with fourteen more to come in the spring and then a full month of training camp in the fall, but the quarterback competition is already in full swing.

With three experienced, talented options jostling for the top spot, it’s going to take a strong, consistent performance to win the job. Arroyo believes Brumfield, Friel and Bailey understand what it will take.

“I think they know now,” he said. “They might not have known last year when we came in with the kind of energy and pace and demand, but I think they know now. They know the demand at that position.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.