
Nevada Wolf Pack (@NevadaFootball)
Record: 0 - 0 (0 - 0) | Proj: 3 - 9 (#108) | SOS: (#124)

Nevada heads into 2026 with Jeff Choate calling this a must-win 'hump year' after going 6-19 in his first two seasons, and the defining question is whether new OC Bret Bartalone's pass-first spread-option can rescue an offense that averaged just 17.6 points per game in 2025 — a philosophical overhaul being installed with an unsettled three-way QB competition between returning starter Carter Jones, UCLA transfer Luke Duncan, and veteran AJ Bianco. The program's clearest asset is All-Mountain West DE Dylan Labarbera (88 tackles, 17 TFL), who turned down NFL and Power 4 interest to return and is the unquestioned anchor of a defense that also gets top-rated portal CB Selman Bridges (4★) and S Jaylen Webb added to a secondary that lost four starters. The biggest structural tailwind is the Mountain West's realignment: Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Utah State — which combined for 12 of 13 conference championships since 2013 — all departed to the reformed Pac-12, opening a realistic path to Nevada's first bowl game under Choate. An early barometer arrives immediately: Week 1 at home against Western Kentucky as a 10.5-point underdog and Week 2 against FCS national champion Montana State will tell the story of how much this program has actually closed the gap.
Key Storylines
- Three-way QB battle unresolved: Carter Jones (returning starter as a freshman in 2025), UCLA transfer Luke Duncan, and veteran AJ Bianco are competing — Jones holds the top spot per Choate entering spring but the decision is not locked in, and Nevada has had more INTs than TDs in 3 of the last 4 seasons
- All-Mountain West DE Dylan Labarbera (88 tackles, 17 TFL, 6.5 sacks) was retained despite NFL and Power 4 interest — the program's most impactful player and the entire defensive identity runs through him; his continued presence is the single biggest roster win of the offseason
- OC Bret Bartalone (rated #67) installing a pass-first spread-option to replace the run-heavy attack that averaged just 17.6 ppg in 2025 — a full offensive identity overhaul in year 3 of Choate's tenure with an unsettled QB room is high-risk, high-reward
- Five Mountain West powers (Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Utah State) departed to the reformed Pac-12 — this dramatically reshapes the conference and gives Nevada its most realistic path to bowl eligibility since Choate arrived
- OL could be Nevada's best unit: returning tackles Jack Foster and Zach Cochnauer anchor a line that added portal IOL Ethan Newman and returning center Jacob Norcross — potentially the strongest offensive line Nevada has fielded in over a decade per beat coverage
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/5 | Nevada vs Western Kentucky | +9 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/12 | Nevada vs Montana State | -6.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/19 | Nevada at Middle Tennessee | -2 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/26 | Nevada vs Air Force | +11 | — | — | — | — |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/10 | Nevada at UTEP | +1 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/17 | Nevada at North Dakota State | +19.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/24 | Nevada vs San José State | -3 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/31 | Nevada at UCLA | +25 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/7 | Nevada vs New Mexico | +15 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/14 | Nevada at Northern Illinois | +1.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/21 | Nevada vs Hawai'i | +11.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/28 | Nevada at UNLV | +22 | — | — | — | — |
Schedule Rating: #124
Future 2027 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/30 | Nevada at Penn State | +45.5L11–46 | 58.5 | L11–46 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/6 | Nevada vs Sacramento State | -8.0W20–17 | 56.0 | W20–17 | U | N |
| Sat 9/13 | Nevada vs Middle Tennessee | -9.0L13–14 | 50.0 | L13–14 | U | N |
| Sat 9/20 | Nevada at Western Kentucky | +8.5L16–31 | 54.5 | L16–31 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/4 | Nevada at Fresno State | +12.5L17–20 | 45.5 | L17–20 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/11 | Nevada vs San Diego State | +6.5L10–44 | 42.5 | L10–44 | O | N |
| Sat 10/18 | Nevada at New Mexico | +14.0L22–24 | 49.5 | L22–24 | U | Y |
| Fri 10/24 | Nevada vs Boise State | +20.5L3–24 | 51.5 | L3–24 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/8 | Nevada at Utah State | +10.0L14–51 | 52.5 | L14–51 | O | N |
| Sat 11/15 | Nevada vs San José State | +10.0W55–10 | 49.5 | W55–10 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/22 | Nevada at Wyoming | +6.0W13–7 | 39.5 | W13–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/29 | Nevada vs UNLV | +7.5L17–42 | 53.0 | L17–42 | O | N |
2025 Record: 3 - 9 (MWC: 2 - 6)
Spread Record 5 - 7 - 0 | O/U 4 - 8
2025 class: 167 points #86
2024 class: 139 points #120
2023 class: 133 points #100
2022 class: 108 points #105
Average Class Ranking: #102
Average Recruiting Points: 145
Consistent Average G5
4 Year Class: #100 - Best: #86 Worst: #120
CFB Crootin Averages
Mountain West Class: 168 #104
Group of 5 Class: 169 #101
FBS Class: 198 #70
2020 class: 137 points #104
2019 class: 151 points #82
2018 class: 155 points #75
2017 class: 125 points #114
Average Class Ranking: #92
Average Recruiting Points: 144
2026 Portal Class #136 - 18 players, 84 Avg
2025 Portal Class #111 - 25 players, 82 Avg
2024 Portal Class #73 - 24 players, 84 Avg
2023 Portal Class #78 - 14 players, 88 Avg
2022 Portal Class #116 - 16 players, 89 Avg
2021 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2020 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
| Player Name | COMP | ATT | PCT | YDS | TD | INT | YPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carter Jones | 111 | 173 | 64% | 1001 | 6 | 8 | 5.8 |
| AJ Bianco | 27 | 45 | 60% | 188 | 1 | 1 | 4.2 |
| Player Name | CAR | YDS | TD | YPC | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herschel Turner | 69 | 353 | 0 | 5.1 | 64 |
| Ky Woods | 19 | 103 | 0 | 5.4 | 28 |
| Dominic Kelley | 23 | 60 | 1 | 2.6 | 10 |
| Carter Jackson | 8 | 41 | 0 | 5.1 | 10 |
| Player Name | REC | YDS | TD | YPC | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaceon Doss (Tr) | 29 | 657 | 5 | 22.7 | 84 |
| Donnie Cheers (Tr) | 44 | 585 | 5 | 13.3 | 67 |
| Marshaun Brown | 16 | 164 | 1 | 10.3 | 22 |
| Gary Givens III | 12 | 145 | 1 | 12.1 | 31 |
| Top Def | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Labarbera | 88 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Jeremy Naborne | 35 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Joshua Scott (Tr) | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Larry Turner-Gooden | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sacks | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Labarbera | 88 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Jeremy Naborne | 35 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Poasa Utu (Tr) | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Myles Williams | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pass D | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryson Snelling | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Joshua Scott (Tr) | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bishop Turner | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Overall Returning Production: 50% #131
Offense Returning Production: 53% #121
Defense Returning Production: 46% #122
Nevada's Official Roster
2026 Portal Class #136
18 Commits, 84 Avg Rating
27% of 2026 Roster from Portal, 17% TY
2026 Talent Rating: 427.00 #119
Offense Talent #115 | Defense Talent #124
2025 #119 | 2024 #112 | 2023 #101 | 2022 #106
2026 Record: 0 - 0
2026 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0
2025 Record: 3 - 9
2025 Conf Record: 2 - 6
Spread: 5 - 7 - 0 | Totals: 4 - 8
2024 Record: 3 - 10
2024 Conf Record: 0 - 7
Spread: 6 - 6 - 1 | Totals: 6 - 7
2023 Record: 2 - 10
2023 Conf Record: 2 - 6
Spread: 6 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 6
Four Year Record: 8 - 29
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 17 - 19 - 1
Four Year Conference Record: 4 - 19
2022 Record: 2 - 10
2022 Conf Record: 0 - 8
Spread: 4 - 8 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7
2021 Record: 8 - 5
2021 Conf Record: 5 - 3
Spread: 8 - 5 - 0 | Totals: 9 - 4
2020 Record: 7 - 2
2020 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 6 - 3 - 0 | Totals: 4 - 5
2019 Record: 7 - 6
2019 Conf Record: 4 - 4
Spread: 6 - 6 - 1 | Totals: 6 - 7
Eight Year Record: 32 - 52
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 41 - 41 - 2
Eight Year Conference Record: 21 - 36
| Nevada Recent Bowl History | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Bowl | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result |
| 2021 | Lane Bowl | Nevada vs Western Michigan | +7.0 | 56.0 | L 24 - 52 |
| 2020 | Potato Bowl | Nevada vs Tulane | +1.5 | 56.5 | W 38 - 27 |
| 2019 | Potato Bowl | Nevada vs Ohio | +10.5 | 62.5 | L 21 - 30 |
| 2018 | N/A | Nevada vs Arkansas State | -1.5 | 56.5 | W 16 - 13 |
| Teams | Offense PPA | Offense Expl | Offense Success | Offense Pts Per Opp | Avg Start FP | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Defense PPA | Defense Expl | Defense Success | Defense Pts Per Opp | Opponent FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | .02 (129) | 1.2 (102) | 37% (124) | 2.67 (133) | 30.4 (36) | 32% | 54% | .19 (94) | 1.2 (39) | 44% (93) | 4.15 (112) | 27.5 (36) |
| Teams | Offense PPA | Offense Expl | Offense Success | Offense Pts Per Opp | Avg Start FP | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Defense PPA | Defense Expl | Defense Success | Defense Pts Per Opp | Opponent FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | .21 (55) | 1.23 (94) | 45% (46) | 3.88 (73) | 26.4 (124) | 45% | 52% | .24 (110) | 1.26 (59) | 46% (117) | 4.33 (114) | 28.8 (64) |
More Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | Possession Time | 1st Downs PG | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Penalties PG | Penalty Yds PG | Off TO PG | Def TO PG | TFL PG | Sacks PG | D/ST TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 30:19 | 17.3 | 32% | 54% | 5.3 | 45.2 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 5.3 | 1.6 | 3 |
| Teams | Games | Possession Time | 1st Downs PG | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Penalties PG | Penalty Yds PG | Off TO PG | Def TO PG | TFL PG | Sacks PG | D/ST TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 31:02 | 19.5 | 45% | 52% | 7.6 | 73.1 | 1.2 | 1 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 1 |
Overall Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | PPG | Home | Road | Success Rate | Pts PerOpp | TO | 1stD PG | TotalYds PG | RushYds PG | PassYdsPG | RYPA | Run Rate | Pass Rate | Run Success | Pass Success | Havoc Rate | Total PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 12 | 17.6 | 19.7 | 15.5 | 36.6% (124) | 2.67 (133) | 2.3 | 17 | 302 | 155 | 147 | 4.5 | 56% (23) | 42% (114) | 37% (123) | 36% (118) | 17% (107) | .02 (129) |
| 2025 Defense | 12 | 27.5 | 25.2 | 29.8 | 43.5% (93) | 4.15 (112) | 1.3 | - | - | - | - | - | 50% (66) | 48% (71) | 44% (85) | 43% (96) | 14% (100) | .19 (94) |
| Teams | Games | PPG | Home | Road | Success Rate | Pts PerOpp | TO | 1stD PG | TotalYds PG | RushYds PG | PassYdsPG | RYPA | Run Rate | Pass Rate | Run Success | Pass Success | Havoc Rate | Total PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 13 | 23.1 | 27.6 | 17.8 | 44.5% (46) | 3.88 (73) | 1.2 | 19 | 377 | 164 | 213 | 4.6 | 53% (47) | 47% (87) | 47% (33) | 42% (65) | 16% (78) | .21 (55) |
| 2024 Defense | 13 | 28.8 | 26.6 | 31.3 | 46.4% (117) | 4.33 (114) | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 56% (126) | 44% (11) | 49% (121) | 43% (92) | 14% (95) | .24 (110) |
Run Game Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | Run Play Rate | Run Play Success | Rush Att PG | Rush Yds PG | Rush Yds Per Att | Rushing TDs | Run Pred Pts Added | OL Yds Per Att | 3rd/4th & Short | Front 7 Havoc | Run Play Explosivness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 12 | 56% (23) | 37% (123) | 34.6 | 155.3 | 4.5 | 9 (132) | .07 (92) | 2.83 (86) | 72% (68) | 11% (114) | 1.04 (36) |
| 2025 Defense | 12 | 50% (66) | 44% (85) | - | - | - | - | .22 (126) | 3.08 (104) | 72% (77) | 9% (93) | 1.05 (109) |
| Teams | Games | Run Play Rate | Run Play Success | Rush Att PG | Rush Yds PG | Rush Yds Per Att | Rushing TDs | Run Pred Pts Added | OL Yds Per Att | 3rd/4th & Short | Front 7 Havoc | Run Play Explosivness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 13 | 53% (47) | 47% (33) | 35.4 | 164.2 | 4.6 | 21 (59) | .16 (51) | 3.06 (59) | 69% (93) | 10% (81) | 0.97 (64) |
| 2024 Defense | 13 | 56% (126) | 49% (121) | - | - | - | - | .27 (130) | 3.17 (91) | 80% (109) | 8% (119) | 1.08 (107) |
Pass Game Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | PassPlay Rate | PassPlay Success | Comp PG | Att PG | Yds PG | Yds PA | Yds PC | TDs | Ints | PassPlays PPA | PassPlays Expl | PassDowns Rate | PassDowns Succ Rate | PassDowns PPA | DB Havoc | PassDowns Expl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 12 | 42% (114) | 36% (118) | 15.2 | 25.7 | 147.2 | 5.7 | 9.7 | 10 (121) | 17 (134) | -.02 (135) | 1.4 (124) | 34% (109) | 24% (130) | -.05 (136) | 6% (86) | 1.6 (136) |
| 2025 Defense | 12 | 48% (71) | 43% (96) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 (75) | .18 (38) | 1.3 (2) | 32% (65) | 28% (38) | .26 (56) | 6% (86) | 1.8 (16) |
| Teams | Games | PassPlay Rate | PassPlay Success | Comp PG | Att PG | Yds PG | Yds PA | Yds PC | TDs | Ints | PassPlays PPA | PassPlays Expl | PassDowns Rate | PassDowns Succ Rate | PassDowns PPA | DB Havoc | PassDowns Expl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 13 | 47% (87) | 42% (65) | 19 | 28.2 | 212.6 | 7.6 | 11.2 | 19 (65) | 8 (40) | .27 (57) | 1.6 (71) | 32% (69) | 32% (60) | .42 (29) | 6% (74) | 2.1 (59) |
| 2024 Defense | 13 | 44% (11) | 43% (92) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 (52) | .2 (50) | 1.5 (49) | 30% (103) | 39% (130) | .46 (119) | 7% (47) | 1.9 (42) |
(4/2) DE Dylan Labarbera a monster, top G6 DE (17 TFL) ❌
(3/3) QB Jones played LY as Fr but not well. Is he #1? ❌
(3/3) RB are small and below avg. Anyone emerge? ❌
(3/3) WR added 2 prod FCS (Cheers + Doss) could help ❌
(3/3) OL surprisingly good on paper, 3 starters, depth ❌
(3/3) DL unit could be Avg, DT's have size, LB are ? ❌
(3/3) DBs have 2 good Safeties, 3 exp'd CBs. ❌
Overall
Team Info
2025 Record
MWC 2 - 6
5 Year Profile
'26 Profile
Returning Production
From 2025
Roster
Talent Info
Talent Profile
(OC) Bret Bartalone 1
(DC) Kane Ioane 3
2026 Schedule
Information
Win History
Notes
Live Team Notes
Roster Experience
Snaps & Starter Info
Snaps Returning
Upperclass
Portals
Top '26 Incoming Portals
Top Players
Top Performers on Roster
Recruits
Top '26 Incoming Recruits
Overall
Four Year Ratings Profile
Offense
Four Year Ratings Profile
Defense
Four Year Ratings Profile
Offense
2025 Ratings
OLine
Misc
Defense
2025 Ratings
Misc
Scoring
Net Efficiency
Pts Per Drive
Pts Per Play
(OC) Bret Bartalone 1
(DC) Kane Ioane 3
Records
Offense
Four Year Offense Pts Per Play
Defense
Four Year Defense Pts Per Play
Overall
Four Year Net Pts Per Play