UNLV Rebels quarterback Doug Brumfield (2) passes during the UNLV Spring Showcase at Allegiant Stadium Saturday, April 8, 2023. UNLV Rebels linebacker Elijah Shelton (42) provides pressure at left.
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 | 2 a.m.
Doug Brumfield can’t wait to get back on the field, and you can’t blame him.
UNLV’s quarterback is having a splendid offseason. The junior is entrenched as the starter for the first time in his career, he appears to have a good nucleus of offensive weapons around him, and he’s settling into a new offensive system that promises to be explosive.
So yeah, Brumfield is raring to go.
And according to the fourth-year junior, that goes for the rest of the team, too.
“We can’t wait to get out there and show off what we can do, what we’ve been practicing these last couple months with our new system and show off our new additions to the team,” Brumfield said. “We’re anxious building up to the start of the season.”
Unfortunately for Brumfield, the start of training camp is still weeks away. But he did get to scratch his on-field itch last weekend, when he was invited to serve as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy.
It would be difficult to find a more prestigious QB camp. Executive director Archie Manning is a former NFL MVP, while legends Peyton Manning and Eli Manning serve as senior associate directors. The counselors are made up of 45 of the nation’s best collegiate passers, including Heisman hopefuls like North Carolina’s Drake Maye and FSU’s Jordan Travis.
The camp is held in Louisiana and attracts some of the top prep QBs from around the nation. Brumfield spent the weekend working with the young quarterbacks while also honing his own technique.
According to Brumfield, Peyton and Eli are very involved with the day-to-day activities at the camp.
“They’re definitely hands-on, in our drills as well as the drills with the younger kids,” Brumfield said. “While we’re conducting our drills with the young kids, they’re walking around getting into each drill, helping any kids that need help. They’re paying attention to every fine detail — our drops, our footwork, our cadence. Everything that we can get better at, they’re paying attention to.”
Brumfield said new UNLV head coach Barry Odom was instrumental in getting him chosen as a counselor. He was the only Mountain West quarterback to attend the camp.
Brumfield particularly bonded with fellow counselors Frank Harris (UTSA) and Cameron Ward (Washington State).
As a sophomore last year, Brumfield completed 64.6% of his passes and tossed 10 touchdowns while rushing for another six TDs.
His biggest takeaway from the camp was the value of playing the position with authority. Brumfield wants to take the Mannings’ advice to heart and go into the 2023 season throwing with confidence.
“Definitely the importance of confidence and being confident in yourself and your throws,” Brumfield said. “It increases your accuracy and just your overall ability to make throws because you believe in your ability to do it.”
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
