The Athletic recently released a comprehensive evaluation of every projected starting quarterback in college football, a list that stretches from No. 1 to No. 138 and is based on the insights of a nationwide panel of experts representing each conference.
Among the 138 names, Nebraska’s transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea landed at No. 39, situating him in tier four of the seven‑tier classification, positioned between TCU’s Jade Craig at No. 38 and Arizona State’s Cutter Boley at No. 40.
Colandrea arrives in Lincoln after a standout season at UNLV, where he earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors and set several freshman records while at Virginia. In his final year with the Rebels he completed 275 of 417 passes for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also adding 649 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground.
A Dual‑Threat Arrival
The Athletic’s analysis describes him as a playmaker who can create opportunities outside of a structured system, a trait that excites coaches but also comes with a learning curve as he adjusts to the Big Ten’s speed and complexity.
His arrival follows the departure of Dylan Raiola, who transferred to Oregon where he is listed as a backup, leaving the Cornhuskers to lean on newcomers such as Dante Moore, who sits at No. 2 overall in tier one.
Coaches and analysts alike see Colandrea’s dual‑threat ability as a potential catalyst for a Nebraska offense that aims to rebound after a season of inconsistency, and his performance will be closely watched as the team opens the 2026 campaign.