Nevada counting on WRs Nate Burleson II and Marshaun Brown taking next step this season

It might not be a make-or-break season for Nevada wide receivers Marshaun Brown and Nate Burleson II considering both will be redshirt sophomores in 2025.

But they're each looking at the upcoming campaign as crucial in their attempts to establish themselves as impact players for the Wolf Pack.

"Time's running out," Burleson II said. "I've already been here for three years. It doesn't feel like I've been here three years, so I'm just going out there every day trying to get better."

Added Brown of his goals this season: "Ball, be a dog and make plays."

Nevada lost its top-two pass catchers from last season in Jaden Smith (62/849/7) and Cortez Braham Jr. (56/724/4). The Wolf Pack returns starting slot receiver Marcus Bellon and tight end Jace Henry, who started four games before a season-ending injury. Both of those players did most of their work last season in the middle of the field. Explosivity on the outside could come down to Brown and Burleson II.

"I think the two guys that stand out to me 100 percent are Nate Burleson Jr. and Marshaun," Nevada head coach Jeff Choate said. "I think those guys have the talent and ability. We can't just keep bringing guys in and saying, 'Oh, you're the next guy.' Those guys need to take that step, and they both had really good offseasons."

Wolf Pack wide receivers coach James Price said his position is "wide receiver by committee right now" as Nevada wraps up spring camp Friday. The depth chart will be more solidified when fall camp begins in July. While Brown and Burleson II will have plenty of competition for starting jobs, the path is open for both to earn those spots with Nevada counting on big things from them.

"They're rising to the challenge right now," Price said. "We challenged them this offseason that, 'Hey, you're no longer a young guy. You've been here long enough and we expect a lot of things out of you. If you want more playing time, more opportunities, go out there and consistently dominate.'"

Both receivers are well known locally as Brown was a star at Bishop Manogue High before signing with Nevada while Burleson II's parents, Nate Sr. and Atoya, were both Hall of Fame athletes for the Wolf Pack. Brown is a 6-foot-4, 201-pounder who has next-level measurables while Burleson II is 6-2 and 161 pounds and is arguably the offense's fastest player with bloodlines of a long-time NFL wideout (Nate Sr.) and college track star (Atoya).

"I think both of them have a very different skill set, but between Marshaun and Nate, those are two guys that we're trusting to get meaningful reps come game time this fall," Price said. "I think they're starting to build that foundation here in spring."

The Wolf Pack brought in a pair of transfer wideouts in Texas Tech's Jordan Brown and Southern Miss' Dakota Thomas, both of whom could figure quickly into major playing time. Brown and Burleson II have both gotten their feet wet in their first two college seasons. Brown has six catches for 76 yards while Burleson II has five catches for 89 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown catch against Fresno State.

Both players said they learned a lot last season from Smith and Braham and carry a bigger pep in their step this spring with starting jobs more attainable. Each said consistency is the key to earning playing time, with those major reps something both have talked about since joining the Wolf Pack as true freshmen in 2022.

"We came in here together and that's something that's been on our to-do list since we got here," Brown said. "Just working really. We just have that mentality of when we go out there, we've got to make the play. We just encourage each other before the snap. We've gotta do what we've go to do, so that's pretty much it. I feel a lot of the experience I got last year has helped me be more comfortable out there on the field. Just being in the same situations over and over, you kind of know what to do."

Added Burleson II: "I've definitely been more consistent in the last year, so just trying to take a step every day. Pick one thing to work on every day has been one of the things I've worked on. It's definitely a fulfilling feeling knowing the work you put in that people don't see, you can see it happening on the field with you making plays. So, it's been exciting."

Even if Brown and Burleson II emerge as starters in 2025, it's Bellon, another local fan favorite as a Truckee High graduate, who is expected to be the group's star. His long road through four colleges landed him back in Northern Nevada last season where he proved he's a Mountain West-caliber starter after catching 39 passes for 522 yards and four touchdowns. The Wolf Pack believes he'll be even more productive this season.

"He's an ultimate competitor," Price said. "The thing about Marcus, on and off the field he's somebody I trust wholeheartedly. Whether it's fishing, whether it's dodgeball, he's gonna find a way to compete and win. I think that's what makes him elite. His elite trade is his competitive excellence. He's a hell of a football player, he's hell of student and he leads those men every day."

Nevada's passing game last season, the first year under Choate, was vastly improved from the two years prior. But the Wolf Pack will have a new quarterback leading the offense after Brendon Lewis transferred to Memphis. Chubba Purdy and A.J. Bianco are battling for the starting job, with their success partially dependent on whether Brown and Burleson II can take the next step in their development from young prospects to legitimate players.

"A lot of guys have a decision to make, right?" Price said. "You either back down from that challenge and you just kind of drift in the program or you rise to the challenge and you say, 'I'm gonna be the guy.' They've served their time on the scout team, they've served time as backups and those are two guys that want to compete for starting positions, and so far they're setting themselves up for success."

Columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or follow him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.