The big transitions in quarterback roles at Nebraska seem to have stabilized as they’ve obtained a transfer portal commitment from Anthony Colandrea, who previously excelled at UNLV. The Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year committed during his visit on Tuesday.

Colandrea’s addition signals a change for Nebraska, who just days prior felt confident in their quarterback lineup for 2026. After Kenny Minchey, formerly with Notre Dame, initially pledged to Nebraska only to switch to Kentucky shortly after, there was a sense of urgency for coach Matt Rhule to solidify his options.

Colandrea is expected to step in as a replacement for two-year starter Dylan Raiola, a five-star recruit who previously helped the Cornhuskers emerge from a long bowl drought. However, the team has been seeking a breakthrough season after finishing with a 7-6 record over the last two seasons.

With three years of starting experience under his belt, Colandrea is poised to become one of the Big Ten’s most mobile quarterbacks, showcasing his capabilities as both a runner and passer during his time at UNLV and Virginia. He led the Mountain West with 3,459 passing yards and achieved a career-high with 23 touchdown throws while improving his decision-making by reducing turnovers.

Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will now have a versatile athlete like Colandrea to model the Cornhuskers’ offense, which has lacked dynamism in recent years. Rhule’s preference for a dual-threat quarterback aligns with the prior interest in Minchey, who also offered significant rushing abilities before his switch to Kentucky.

Colandrea arrives as a three-star recruit in the 2026 transfer cycle, securing his spot as the 21st ranked quarterback and 175th overall player according to 247Sports.