Born in
Honolulu,
Hawaii, Friel attended
Kailua High School where he threw 22 touchdowns and over 1,700 yards. He was a three-star prospect and committed to
UNLV, enrolling in January 2021.[1]
College career
Friel began his true
freshman season as backup quarterback, but was named starter for week three against
Iowa State,[2] completing 7 of 12 passes for 55 yards and one interception in the 3–48 loss.[3] He then started the following eight games before suffering a season-ending injury, finishing his first year of college football with 1,608 passing yards and six touchdowns, while completing 62.4 percent of his throws, which placed third all-time for any UNLV player.[1] At the end of the year, Friel was named
Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year.[4]