LAS VEGAS — New UNLV linebacker Cam Santee didn’t need much convincing once he stepped on campus.
After entering the transfer portal following a standout career at Holy Cross, Santee said the direction of Dan Mullen’s program, combined with defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s scheme, made UNLV the clear choice as he looks to prove himself at the FBS level and chase his NFL dreams.
“I like the coaching staff,” Santee said. “I felt like they’re going in a great direction, and that’s a team I wanted to be a part of.”
Santee Stays at His Natural Position
One of the biggest reasons Santee believes he’ll thrive in Las Vegas is that he’ll continue playing middle linebacker, the position where he believes he performs at his highest level.
“I’m at Mike, so I’m pretty familiar with it now,” Santee said. “I’m glad that I’m still playing Mike. That’s the position I want to stay at. I feel like that’s where I’m best fit.”
Remaining at Mike linebacker allows Santee to play instinctively rather than learning an entirely new role during his transition from the FCS level to Mountain West football.
Dan Mullen’s Vision Sold Santee
Santee didn’t have prior relationships with the coaching staff before entering the transfer portal. Instead, the recruitment happened naturally after linebackers coach Mike Scherer reached out.
“Coach Scherer reached out to me,” Santee explained. “I really liked him personality-wise, and he told me to come out for a visit. Once I was here, you meet everyone, you kind of get an actual feel for the program and where you want to end up. Being here is where it was.”
That visit ultimately confirmed UNLV was the right destination.
Why Paul Guenther’s Defense Fits Santee
Perhaps the biggest reason Santee believes he’ll make an immediate impact is Guenther’s defensive system.
The veteran defensive coordinator brings decades of NFL experience after coaching with the Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders and several other organizations. Santee says that experience shows throughout the defense.
“I really like his system,” Santee said. “It’s kind of similar to my old defense, but he’s one of the smartest dudes I know when it comes to defensive schematics.”
What stands out most to Santee is how Guenther simplifies the game without sacrificing complexity.
“His defense is good. It’s not easy, but it’s simple, so you can make quick decisions. You don’t have to think too much—you can just play fast. I think that’s when you play your best defense.”
For a linebacker who prides himself on flying around the football, that philosophy could be an ideal fit.
Ready for the Next Level
Santee admits there has been an adjustment moving from Holy Cross to the FBS level.
“The skill positions are very fast,” he said. “Inside the box where I mostly play, the offensive linemen are bigger, but they move a lot faster.”
Still, he believes he’s adjusted quickly.
“I feel like I’ve been able to adapt well.”
His confidence comes from his production at Holy Cross, where he played significant snaps as a sophomore before becoming a full-time starter.
“My tape was my resume,” Santee said. “I performed very well at the FCS level. I’ve always said if I wanted to play in the NFL, I had to prove it at every level. I come here with a lot of game experience, and I feel like I’m always flying around and running through every play.”
Championship Expectations Already Built
Although training camp is just beginning, Santee says UNLV’s championship mindset has been developing long before players reported this summer.
“It doesn’t start just in camp,” Santee said. “It’s something you’ve got to work through starting in January. We’ve been building that every day—in the weight room, throughout the offseason and in the locker room. Culture takes a while to build, and I feel like we’ve been doing that since January.”
Learning From Veteran Leadership
Santee also credited linebacker Blessing as one of the defense’s vocal leaders.
“He takes control of the room,” Santee said. “He played a bunch last year, so he has the most experience. He probably knows the defense the best in and out, and when I’m out there with him, it makes my job a lot easier.”
Built on Hard Work
Asked what trait has carried over from Holy Cross, Santee didn’t hesitate.
“Hardworking,” he said. “Especially during camp, it’s easy to just go through the motions, but if you want to start and play a lot, you’ve got to come in every day, go 100 percent and leave it all out there.”
If Rebel fans want an early look at what Santee can bring to Las Vegas, he recommends watching his performances against Northern Illinois or Yale from last season.
“I felt like I played really well in those games,” Santee said. “Against Yale I had a lot of tackles for loss, a sack and some other plays.”
With his experience, relentless motor and natural fit in Paul Guenther’s aggressive defensive system, Cam Santee believes UNLV provides the perfect opportunity to elevate his game while helping Dan Mullen build a championship-caliber defense.
