UNLV Rebels quarterback Anthony Colandrea. Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Nebraska reloads at QB with the addition of former UNLV standout Anthony Colandrea

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Jan 6, 2026 10:30 PM ET

For the second time in three days, a quarterback has committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This time, however, it appears that QB is staying put.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, former UNLV QB Anthony Colandrea committed to Nebraska on Tuesday, per his agents Noah Reisenfeld and Adie von Gontard of Young Money APAA Sports.

This comes after former Notre Dame QB Kenny Minchey committed to the Cornhuskers on Sunday, only to flip to Kentucky on Monday and keep Nebraska in search of its next signal-caller.

That may have seemed like a missed opportunity for Nebraska initially, but as a three-star prospect in the 2026 transfer portal cycle, according to 247Sports, and the 22nd-ranked QB overall, Colandrea should give the Cornhuskers some confidence after a whirlwind of a few days.

Former UNLV QB Anthony Colandrea has committed to Nebraska, per @noah_reisenfeld and @Adie_vongontard of @YMAPAAsports. They told me and @max_olson that he committed today on his visit. https://t.co/vkrVw3uQCt
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 6, 2026

Nebraska has found its QB to replace Dylan Raiola

Raiola, the former five-star recruit, was a two-year starter under head coach Matt Rhule, passing for 4,819 yards with 31 TDs and 17 interceptions. While he played a huge role in helping Nebraska return to a bowl game for the first time since the 2016 season, the Cornhuskers only went 7-6 in each of those seasons.

Raiola, who entered the transfer portal, missed Nebraska's last four games, including its loss to Utah in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl, after suffering a broken right fibula against USC on Nov. 1.

Colandrea began his collegiate career at Virginia where he made 18 starts and set the program's single-season freshman passing record in 2023. He transferred to UNLV to play for HC Dan Mullen, leading the Mountain West with 3,459 passing yards and posting a career-high 23 TDs, all while winning Player of the Year in the conference.

One of Colandrea's biggest issues coming to UNLV was turnovers, having accounted for 20 interceptions his last two seasons. In 14 games with UNLV, Colandrea only had nine picks all season.

Nebraska is getting one of the most experienced QBs in the portal in Colandrea, who has started 32 games and chose the Cornhuskers after taking visits to Florida State and Georgia Tech.

Unlike Raiola, Colandrea brings in a dual-threat approach to Dana Holgorsen's offense. Along with a career-high 3,459 passing yards in 2025, Colandrea added a personal-best 649 rush yards and 10 TDs.

This turned out to be an eventful couple of days for Nebraska as it pursued its next signal-caller. In the end, it landed an experienced QB who has found success everywhere he has been and should provide a spark to a program looking to take that next step with Rhule on the sidelines.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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