Nevada’s football program emerged from the offseason with a roster that has been both trimmed and expanded, ending up at 103 scholarship athletes ready for the 2026 campaign. The team shed eight players while welcoming 23 newcomers, a net gain that places the Wolf Pack two spots below the NCAA’s 105‑player limit for the upcoming season.
The reduction in losses reflects a recent NCAA rule change that removed the post‑spring camp transfer portal, a move that limited the number of departures compared with the 23 players lost the previous offseason. To offset the departures, Nevada added a diverse mix of talent, including 18 high‑school recruits and five transfers.
Among the high‑school signees are local standouts Coy Jones from Elko, Amari Nash of Damonte Ranch, Kyle Nelson from Bishop Manogue, and Alex Grush of McQueen. The class also includes four junior‑college transfers and a single FCS transfer, bolstering the depth chart across multiple positions.
Coach Jeff Choate emphasized that the team’s strength lies not only in star power but also in the cohesion of a deeper squad, stating that the Wolf Pack has top‑tier talent at every level and is particularly focused on developing mid‑tier players who can step up when November games demand it.
Veteran Jeff Birnbaum, a former Truckee High star who redshirted as a freshman in 2025, has reclaimed his place on the roster, adding experience and continuity to a unit that is still shaping its identity.
A roster built for November
With the regular season still months away, the coaching staff is already mapping out how the new pieces will fit into a schedule that culminates in late‑season contests. The blend of local talent, experienced returnees, and strategic transfers aims to give Nevada a competitive edge when the stakes are highest.