NFL
By: Brock Vierra
The concept of a dual-threat quarterback is no stranger to UNLV as the home of the rebels is home to one of the greatest dual-threat QB of all time. From 1981-1984, Randall Cunningham was the Rebels’ main man and he parlayed his impressive college career into three All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowls. His number is retired by the university. UNLV’s last bowl win (2000 Las Vegas Bowl) came on the shoulders, arms, and legs of Jason Thomas. Originally a USC commit, John Robinson brought him to Vegas where they achieved the greatest amount of success the Rebels have had this millennium. Now the lights shine bright and Allegiant Stadium is set to witness the next physical form of greatness. A lengthy, 6’5, left-handed duel-threat quarterback has the Mountain West on alert as Barry Odom looks to give UNLV its first winning season in about a decade. Let’s look at the talented and promising Doug Brumfield.
Brumfield is a towering figure which has given opponents fits with his left-handed attack and accuracy that is very much craved by a program like UNLV. Brumfield also has faced adversity and has risen through it. A freshman in 2020, Brumfield would face being redshirted, being benched, being essentially forced into the transfer portal as the Rebels QB recruited multiple high school and freshmen quarterbacks, and yet here he stands as the Rebels main man.
Now there are no guarantees that he’ll be the starter, especially with this new coaching staff but Brumfield has shown tremendous potential in his three years in Vegas. His love for the program is clear and with new offensive eyes, I expect big things from him in 2023. Here’s why.
Versatility. Though it’s rare to see Brumfield under center, his dual-threat nature is perfect for shotgun and pistol formations. A coach’s dream when it comes to RPO, Brumfield has run read option, speed option, and run-pass option plays to phenomenal success, throwing defenses in a place of confusion via his left-handed style. He has the ability to make off-schedule plays and is able to throw on the run as well. A fierce competitor, Brumfield is not afraid of contact but he’s smart enough to step out of bounce or slide when in danger of getting hit.
Decision-making. Brumfield is able to throw from the pocket as well. He doesn’t have the strongest pass but his ability to put the ball on the money makes up for it. He has a good lift on his ball and uses it well to exploit zone coverages. On multiple occasions, Brumfield has exploited the pockets defenses leave and hits the dump off when the hole isn’t there. He had above-average pocket awareness and doesn’t take sacks that remove UNLV from field goal range. His pocket movement can be improved but he doesn’t have a solid offensive line either so I’m not too worried about it.
Height. Brumfield towers over the field. It’s a gift that provides him with great vision and he uses before and after the snap. Height is something we always talk about in quarterbacks and to see an athlete of his stature with his mobility is a gift UNLV needs to exploit. Brumfield is also not an immobile target so his ability to operate as both a pocket passer and a duel threat is just an offensive coordinator’s dream.
Doug Brumfield like his predecessors has so many phenomenal traits but hasn’t put everything together… yet. Entering his third collegiate season, I expect Brumfield to establish himself as a premier college talent. We’re looking at a player that has all the tools to be great. He can make passes at every level and he has excellent timing. He hits receivers in stride and shows tremendous touch. The only criticisms I have are those that affect all young players, things the maturing process will fix. With Brumfield, the Rebels quest for a bowl game looks to be in sight.
