UNLV: The reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year returns as a true sophomore this fall … Became UNLV’s eighth conference freshman of the year winner, including quarterbacks Armani Rogers in 2017 and Jon Denton in 1996 when the Rebels were members of the WAC … The returning starter at quarterback is listed will compete with Doug Brumfield and newcomer Harrison Bailey for the No. 1 spot behind center … Named to the 2021 Academic All-Mountain West Team and a member of the UNLV Dean’s Honor List in spring 2021 ... Last name is pronounced “FREEL.”

2021: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by playing in nine games, including starting eight … Led the team with 1,608 yards and six touchdowns through the air after completing 141-of-226 passing attempts … Broke the school record for completion percentage in a season by a freshman with a 62.4 clip, which also tied Hall of Famer Randall Cunningham (1984) for third overall by any Rebel … Pressed into action as a true freshman in Game Three, starting vs. Iowa State … Completed 8-of-13 attempts for 167 yards vs. the No. 14 Cyclones … Came off the bench in relief of Doug Brumfield one week later at Fresno State and completed 9-of-15 throws for 138 yards … Started the next seven games before being knocked out for the remainder of the season in Game 11 vs. San Diego State … In Game Five, his 307 yards on 25 completions at undefeated UTSA marked the most yards thrown by a UNLV QB since 2018 and the most ever thrown in one game by a true freshman for the Rebels … Completed 27-of-41 attempts for 283 yards and two scores at UNR in Game Eight … Named the MW Freshman of the Week on November 8 after leading his team to a win at New Mexico in Game Nine … Completed 20-of-33 attempts for 227 yards and two TDs vs. the Lobos … Nationally among all freshmen, Friel’s season completion percentage ranked fourth while his mark of 178.7 yards per game stood seventh … A December 2020 graduate who enrolled at UNLV in January and competed in spring practice with the Rebels … The Class of 2021’s only signal-caller was rated as a three-star prospect and the nation’s No. 43 Pro-Style quarterback recruit by 247Sports; No. 24 Dual-Threat QB and No. 6 overall prospect from Hawai’i by Rivals; and the No. 70 Pocket-Passer by ESPN

HIGH SCHOOL: Spent first two seasons at St. Louis HS in Honolulu before transferring to Kailua HS for his junior and senior seasons where he was a two-year letterwinner under coach Joseph Hau’oli … Finished career at Kailua with 22 touchdowns and over 1,700 yards … Also played basketball, helping the Surfriders reach the state playoffs.

PERSONAL: Cameron Kamalani Friel was born in Honolulu … The son of Joey Milinanea Friel and William Makanui Friel III … Has six older siblings, Colson, Corey, Calen, Ctiare, Sydnee and Shayden and three younger siblings, Kalei, Keahi and Makanui … Older brother Calen played football at the University of Hawai’i, cousin Kala Friel played at Utah and cousin Kaneakua Friel played at BYU ... Majoring in business.

FRIEL’S PASSING STATS

YEAR GP-GS COMP ATT YDS PCT TD INT LG

2021 9-8 141 226 1,608 62.4 6 11 75

FRIEL’S RUSHING STATS

YEAR GP-GS ATT YDS AVG TD LG

2021 9-8 46 -74 -1.6 0 15

Cameron Friel