LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -- The UNLV Athletics Department announced that star senior running back Jai'Den "Jet" Thomas was named winner of this year's Bill Ireland Award, which was handed out at Monday's Welcome Back event at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The honor is given annually to a student-athlete who shines brightest in their respective sport while competing against UNR as part of the Silver State Series. UNLV won the overall competition (34.5-13.5) for the fourth consecutive season and for the 12th time in the competition's 14-year history
 
The Ireland honoree, selected through a vote by members of the UNLV Athletics Strategic Communications department, must come from a Rebel team that won its competition vs. the Wolf Pack during the year, have made a significant impact on that outcome and also be in good academic standing.
 
Thomas became just the second Rebel in history to rush for four touchdowns in a game twice in a career when he led UNLV to a 42-17 victory over the Wolf Pack in Reno on Nov. 29, 2025. The blowout win earned the Rebels the top seed in the Mountain West and kept the famed Fremont Cannon painted red for the fourth consecutive season. Thomas finished with 103 yards on just 11 carries and added three receptions for 24 more yards. It marked his ninth career 100-yard rushing game and joined him with former All-American Mike Thomas (1973-74) as the only Rebs to score four on the ground more than once in a career.
 
Thomas is the first running back but sixth football player to win the Ireland Award, joining quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams in 2025, safety Johnathan Baldwin in 2023, quarterback Kenyon Oblad in 2020, quarterback Armani Rogers in 2019 and linebacker Ryan McAleenan in 2016.

The award is named in honor of the late Mr. Bill Ireland, who was deeply tied to the history of the Wolf Pack and Rebels athletics programs. A 1952 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Ireland was the Wolf Pack's first baseball coach (1961-67). After his time at UNR, he went on to UNLV where he became the Rebels first football coach (1968-72) and later served as athletics director (1973-80). Ireland is also credited with helping create the famed rivalry trophy the Fremont Cannon.

UNLV BILL IRELAND AWARD WINNERS
2026 – Jet Thomas, Football
2025 – Hajj-Malik Williams, Football
2024 – Trinity Buchanan, Women's Soccer
2023 – Johnathan Baldwin, Football
2022 – Bryce Hamilton, Men's Basketball
2021 – Kristina Schneider, Swimming & Diving
2020 – Kenyon Oblad, Football
2019 – Armani Rogers, Football
2018 -- Janine Petmecky, Softball
2017 – Lily Sender, Women's Soccer
2016 – Ryan McAleenan, Football
2015 – Janine Petmecky, Softball
2014 – Jenn Wolfe, Women's Soccer
2013 – Buddy Borden, Baseball