LAS VEGAS — In the noise of Mountain West Media Days, UNLV wide receiver and return specialist DeAngelo Irvin Jr. sits calmly in the corner of the media room, flashing the quiet confidence that has made him a key piece of the Rebels’ resurgence. For someone who thrives under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium (and Las Vegas!), Irvin is quick to remind you that playing football at UNLV is anything but easy.
Irvin noted that some assume being a Rebel means the work is easier or expectations are lower in the desert, or that it’s an afterthought with the Raiders and other entertainment options competing for attention.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
“We work hard,” Irvin said matter-of-factly, shaking his head at the misconception that’s out there. “We put in the work and we know the expectations are there — and we plan to live up to them.”
For Irvin, that work starts long before kickoff. He usually arrives at the football facility by 7 a.m. most mornings for treatment, then tackles a demanding workout at 8:30. After lunch, he spends his afternoon getting extra reps on the JUGS machine, running routes with quarterbacks, and breaking down film to stay sharp. Even when his work at the facility wraps up by 2 p.m., his day isn’t done.
“Academics are a priority for us,” he added, noting the coursework that often fills his evenings.
It’s a schedule that demands focus, and for Irvin, that focus is what separates the good from the great.
“You’ve got to keep your mindset steady and just worry about what’s going on in the present,” he explained.
That’s something he’s learned not just on the field but also while fishing, one of his few escapes from football.
Fishing, for him, isn’t about the size of the catch — though he admits he rarely brings in anything impressive. It’s about quiet and perspective, getting away from the constant intensity of football in a city like Las Vegas.
“It’s easy to get caught up in being a student-athlete playing major college football here,” he said, “but fishing gets me into a different world where it’s quiet and you’ve got to be patient and strategic, just like on the field.”
Patience has been a hallmark of his journey. A Midwest City, Oklahoma native, Irvin was originally committed to Air Force for much of his senior season of high school. A late connection with UNLV changed his path, and after visiting campus, he didn’t look back.
“I felt like it was a better opportunity for me, a better spot to be at,” he said. “I’d make the same decision over and over again.”
On the field, Irvin has become one of UNLV’s most versatile weapons, contributing as a receiver, return man, and even throwing a 42-yard pass last season in the Rebels’ opening win over Houston. Off the field, he has become a steady presence in the locker room — the kind of teammate others turn to for guidance, rides, advice, or just a listening ear.
“Guys have asked me for help with some things you couldn’t even imagine,” he said with a knowing smile. “I just want to be a leader and somebody they can look to for help on and off the field.”
This offseason, UNLV saw major changes to its leadership. Barry Odom, who led the Rebels to a Mountain West title game appearance, departed for Purdue in December. Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, the architect of the explosive “Go-Go Offense,” took the head job at Sacramento State. Enter Dan Mullen, a proven winner with SEC pedigree, as the Rebels’ new head coach, and Corey Dennis, formerly at Tulsa and Ohio State, is taking over the offense.
While the staff turnover has meant learning new terminology and adapting to a different style, Irvin embraces the fresh start.
“There’s a lot of energy around the program on and off the field,” he said. “Coach Mullen brings so much experience, and he really believes in us, the program, and what we’re doing here. Change isn’t a bad thing. We’ve got expectations, and we plan to meet and exceed them.”
Irvin also has high praise for Dennis and what he’s seen from the offense in its early stages under his leadership.
“It’s been a big transition, but there’s nothing wrong with that sometimes. I’m really excited to see what we can do this fall.”
As for the constant conference realignment chatter that has surrounded the Mountain West? Irvin isn’t fazed. To him, it doesn’t matter who the Rebels play or where they land.
“We hear the noise,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter what conference we’re in or who we’re playing. If we win, everything else takes care of itself.”
Winning is the message he would deliver to any recruit thinking about joining the Rebels. Forget the long sales pitch, he said. “We win. That’s it.”
When he finally gets time to himself, he likes to unwind with simple comforts, such as playing the new NCAA Football video game, hanging out with his teammates, and indulging in his favorite comfort food, steak or beef quesadillas with a squeeze of lime.
If football wasn’t in the picture, Irvin already knows what his path would be: coaching. But for now, he’s intent on playing his role, doing the little things, and being relentless in his approach, not just for himself, but for his teammates and the program as well.
“We’re just getting started,” he said, his quiet confidence unwavering. “And we plan to show everybody what UNLV football is really about.”
