UNLV running back Jai’Den Thomas could have followed many of his veteran teammates into the transfer portal after former head coach Barry Odom left for Purdue last season. Instead, he reaffirmed his commitment to the Rebels just two days after helping them secure their first bowl win in 24 years.
Thomas said he was excited to play for such an offensive-minded coach like Dan Mullen.
“He’s coached so many great players who are playing in the NFL right now,” Thomas told the Las Vegas Sun following a 24-13 win over Cal in the LA Bowl last December. “I want to see how he can help develop me to get me to the next level.”
Thomas, whose speed earned him the nickname “Jet,” has taken his game to another level this year, and he has helped the Rebels make it back to the Mountain West Championship for the third year in a row. UNLV plays at Boise State on Friday.
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UNLV has come up short against the Broncos in the title game the past two seasons, which is also part of why Thomas said he came back.
“Everybody in the locker room has something to prove,” Thomas told the Las Vegas Sun. “Whether it’s them coming from another school and not playing as much or the guys coming back, all of us are coming together and we still have stuff to prove.”
Thomas leads UNLV and ranks No. 3 in the Mountain West with 944 rushing yards. He is No. 2 in the conference with 12 rushing touchdowns, and he’s climbing the Rebels’ record books. He scored four rushing touchdowns last week in a 42-17 win over Nevada, making him just the second UNLV running back in program history to score four rushing touchdowns in a game twice in a career.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound junior ranks No. 5 all-time at UNLV with 31 career rushing touchdowns. His 2,365 career rushing yards rank No. 8 in program history. Thomas also set a program record with 12 rushing touchdowns as a freshman in 2023.
UNLV Rolling With Running Back By Committee
Thomas needs less than 60 yards to secure his first 1,000-yard season. He has already recorded a career-high rushing total while averaging just 11.5 carries a game. Mullen said that’s the Rebels’ secret to success.
“Right or wrong, it has worked for us,” Mullen said during his weekly press conference on Monday. “We have a lot of talented guys (on offense). Part of the management for me is the balance of that.”
Thomas has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game four times this season and nine times in his career, but he isn’t the only UNLV running back churning out yards and touchdowns.
Utah transfer Jaylon Glover has posted 379 yards on the ground, including a team-high 112 against Boise State. Former Penn State and Mississippi State running back Keyvone Lee has put up 375 yards and six touchdowns.
Even quarterback Anthony Colandrea has gotten in on the action. He’s No. 2 on the team with 555 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 106 carries. UNLV ranks No. 2 in the Mountain West with 204.6 rushing yards a game.
