LAS VEGAS — Laterrance Welch returned to UNLV practice Friday while the Rebels continue reviewing whether the veteran cornerback can play during the 2026 season.
Welch was back on the field one day after Donovan Spellman returned to practice. Both players were also included on the numerical roster UNLV distributed Friday while their eligibility reviews continue.
Neither has been publicly announced as eligible to compete this season.
Dan Mullen first acknowledged Sunday that UNLV was looking into whether Welch and Spellman could return after a federal court ruling created a potential path to another season.
“Yeah, there’s a chance,” Mullen said when asked about the two players.
Five days later, both are practicing and both are listed on UNLV’s Aug. 7 numerical roster.
Spellman returned Thursday after beginning fall camp away from the team. Welch followed Friday, putting two players from last year’s defense back on the field less than three weeks before UNLV opens the season against Memphis.
Their participation does not settle the eligibility question. U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a class-wide preliminary injunction covering athletes from the high school class of 2022 who began Division I competition during the 2022-23 academic year and exhausted four seasons by the end of 2025-26. The order prevents the NCAA from enforcing the challenged four-season restriction against qualifying members of the class while the case continues.
The ruling created an opportunity for another season, but UNLV still has to work through the remaining eligibility, academic, roster and compliance requirements.
When fall camp opened, UNLV was preparing for the 2026 season without Welch. The secondary had moved forward, transfers had been added and practice repetitions were being divided without him in the group.
His return changes that picture.
Welch appeared in all 14 games for UNLV last season and started 10. He finished with 24 tackles, two pass breakups and a team-high five interceptions during his first season with the Rebels.
UNLV spent the offseason preparing to replace that production. Welch’s return to practice gives the Rebels an experienced corner who already knows Paul Guenther’s defense and has shown he can play a significant role in it.
He still has to work his way back into the rotation.
The Rebels have already spent more than a week of camp giving their other corners practice reps and evaluating the group without Welch. His return gives the staff another option, but it does not mean he automatically goes back into the same role he held last season.
That part can be worked out in practice.
When Mullen spoke Sunday, Welch’s return was still something UNLV was exploring. He is now practicing with the defense while the eligibility review continues.
Spellman is in a similar position after returning Thursday. He appeared in all 14 games last season as a rotational linebacker and edge defender and is now back working with a defense he already knows.
Welch could have a more immediate impact at corner. He started most of last season and led UNLV in interceptions, giving the staff another experienced player in a group that opened camp without him.
If Welch and Spellman are able to play, UNLV would get back two defenders it was preparing to move forward without when camp began.
There is still time to sort out their roles. UNLV hosts Memphis on Aug. 29, giving both players several weeks to catch up on missed practice repetitions and compete for snaps while their eligibility situations are reviewed.
The timeline has moved quickly.
Mullen was asked Sunday whether Welch and Spellman had any chance of coming back. Spellman returned Thursday. Welch was back Friday. Both were listed on UNLV’s numerical roster later that day.
Less than a week after Mullen acknowledged that UNLV would explore their returns, both players are back on the practice field and listed on the Rebels’ numerical roster while the eligibility process continues.