We have settled into June, which means while Summer is close, so is college football returning. Media Day for the Mountain West is a month away; camp will start up soon and before we know it, Week 1 will be kicking off. As we progress through the summer months, we’ll be looking into the positions a bit more for Nevada football.
Every week will include a new position, and of course, we start at the top with the QB spot. If Nevada is going to make a push toward bowl eligibility in 2026, the answer will almost
certainly begin at quarterback.
After finishing 3-9 a season ago and averaging just 17.6 points per game, head coach Jeff Choate overhauled the offensive side of the program during the offseason, which included a change in the offensive coordinator role. The Wolf Pack ranked 128th nationally in scoring offense and threw just 10 touchdown passes against 17 interceptions. Improvement at quarterback isn’t just important; it’s essential.
Unlike a year ago, Nevada enters summer workouts with a legitimate competition under center.
Sophomore Carter Jones returns after showing flashes as a true freshman. AJ Bianco remains the veteran presence in the room. UCLA transfer Luke Duncan arrives looking to immediately challenge for the starting job.
The result is what may be Nevada’s most intriguing position battle heading into fall camp.
Carter Jones Enters as the Favorite
While the coaching staff has not named a starter, Jones appears to enter the summer with a slight edge.
The Lancaster, Texas native became Nevada’s primary quarterback during the second half of the 2025 season and finished as the team’s leading passer. Jones completed 110 of 171 attempts (64.3 percent) for 1,019 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions while starting seven games as a true freshman.
The raw numbers won’t jump off the page, but context matters.
Jones was throwing to one of the least productive receiving groups in the Mountain West and playing in an offense that struggled for consistency throughout the year. Despite those challenges, he showed accuracy, toughness, and poise that made him one of the brighter spots on Nevada’s roster.
The next step is cutting down on mistakes.
Jones’ eight interceptions highlighted the growing pains expected from a freshman quarterback. If he can improve his decision-making while maintaining his efficiency, he has the tools to become Nevada’s long-term answer at the position.
Luke Duncan Brings Competition
Nevada’s biggest offseason addition may have been Duncan.
The former UCLA quarterback transferred to Reno after spending time in one of the nation’s toughest quarterback rooms. While his college résumé is limited, Duncan gained valuable experience in the Pac-12 and even started against top-ranked Ohio State last season, completing 16 of 23 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown.
At 6-foot-6, Duncan brings a different profile than Nevada’s returning quarterbacks. His first showcase in front of Nevada fans came from the Pack’s spring game back in April, which saw Duncan and AJ Bianco split reps after Jones dealt with an elbow injury.
Duncan was picked off three times and struggled with some red-zone reads, failing to get his side on the scoreboard. All three interceptions were tipped passes that just fell into the hands of defenders, and Duncan still had some good offensive reads, including clean passes to Jaceon Doss and Kolan Babalola.
His size, arm talent, and experience against Power Four competition are major reasons why many expect him to push Jones throughout fall camp. Nevada didn’t bring Duncan in to sit on the bench. He was added to create competition and raise the overall ceiling of the room
Don’t Forget About AJ Bianco
Bianco may be the most overlooked player in the quarterback room.
The redshirt senior has spent his entire career at Nevada and has appeared in parts of four seasons. Last year he completed 27 of 45 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while appearing in 10 games. He also completed 66.7 percent of his passes during the 2024 season.
Bianco may not have the upside of Jones or Duncan, but he offers something neither player can match, which is experience in Nevada’s program.
During spring camp, Bianco was steady, protected the football, and consistently moved the offense. He made strides downfield, which included a deep pass to transfer Donnie Cheers. Bianco found Cheers two more times after that and kept it clean in the turnover department. Even if he doesn’t win the starting job, his presence gives Nevada valuable depth at the game’s most important position.
Outlook
For the first time in several years, Nevada’s quarterback room feels competitive rather than uncertain. Jones brings the upside. Duncan brings the arm talent and transfer pedigree. Bianco brings experience and reliability.
The biggest question entering fall camp isn’t whether Nevada has a quarterback capable of winning games, it’s whether one of them can separate from the pack (no pun intended).
If Jones takes the expected sophomore leap, Nevada may have found its quarterback of the future. If Duncan’s Power Four experience translates, he could provide an immediate boost to an offense desperate for explosive plays. And if neither can seize control, Bianco remains a trusted veteran option.
One way or another, Nevada’s path to bowl eligibility will likely be decided by what happens in the quarterback room over the next two months.
Position Grade Entering Summer: B
The talent level is improved, the competition is healthy, and the room finally has depth. Now Nevada needs somebody to emerge as the clear answer.
