How Good Is Nebraska QB Anthony Colandrea? Adam Carriker Delivers Four Truths

Adam Carriker does a deep dive into Nebraska's QB, Anthony Colandrea, and just how good he actually is. What fans know about the Huskers new QB is interesting, but what they don't know heading into this season might surprise them. It's a big year for head coach Matt Rhule and the Huskers as they take on the best teams in the Big Ten.

Hit the play button to watch, and scroll down for a summary.

Synopsis

How good is Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea? That is the big question Adam Carriker digs into in this episode of the Carriker Chronicles. Nebraska has a new QB1 for the 2026 season, and Colandrea brings a style of football that Husker fans have not seen in a while. He can throw it, he can run it, and he is not afraid to take chances.

Last season at UNLV, Colandrea put up big numbers, became the Mountain West Player of the Year, and was one of only four FBS players to throw for at least 3,000 yards and rush for at least 500 yards. He also showed early in his career at Virginia that he could make plays. His time around UNLV head coach Dan Mullen helped him develop, especially when it comes to getting the ball out quickly and playing fast.

But there is another side to his game. Colandrea is a gunslinger. He is a confident guy with toughness and moxie, but that can lead to mistakes. Carriker calls him a high-ceiling, low-floor quarterback. He can make a play with his arm or his feet that completely changes a game, but Nebraska needs to avoid turnovers. That might be the biggest X-factor of the season.

Further along in the show, Carriker gives his four truths about Colandrea. First, Nebraska cannot put everything on his shoulders. The running game, the offensive line and everyone else around him have to help. Second, Colandrea has enough ability to win Nebraska a couple games because of plays he creates on his own. Third, he is going to be entertaining to watch. His teammates seem to enjoy playing with him, and his aggressive style should give Nebraska some exciting moments.

The fourth truth is that Colandrea may not have been Nebraska’s first choice at quarterback, but when the opportunity came, the Huskers moved quickly to get him. Adam compares that to his own recruitment and how sometimes the right fit is not always the first name on the list.

The bigger question is what Nebraska’s offense will look like with Colandrea running it. Will we see more RPOs, quarterback runs and shots down the field? Red-zone efficiency and pass protection will be key factors in the offense's level of success.

Adam’s bonus truth is simple: He is here for all of it! Colandrea is aggressive, unpredictable and capable of making big plays. If Nebraska can protect him, run the football and win the turnover battle, this offense could be a lot of fun to watch.

Program sequence

0:00 – Intro
2:06 – QB1 Anthony Colandrea: Breaking Down His UNLV Season
3:00 – Colandrea’s Unique Passing & Rushing Production
3:25 – One of Only 4 FBS QBs With 3,000 Pass Yards + 500 Rush Yards
3:45 – Mountain West Player of the Year
4:15 – Colandrea Set Records as a Freshman at Virginia
4:50 – How Dan Mullen Helped Develop Colandrea
6:36 – Gunslinger Mentality: Will It Work in the Big Ten?
7:50 – High Ceiling, Low Floor: Colandrea Is Nebraska’s X-Factor
9:00 – Adam’s 4 Truths About Anthony Colandrea
9:35 – Truth #1: Don’t Put Too Much on Colandrea
14:53 – Let Colandrea Play QB — He Doesn’t Have to Do Everything
15:25 – Truth #2: Colandrea Can Win Nebraska a Couple Games
16:13 – Truth #3: Colandrea Will Be Entertaining to Watch
17:04 – Truth #4: He Wasn’t Nebraska’s First Choice — But He Was the Instant Choice
17:53 – Adam Carriker Wasn’t Nebraska’s First Choice Either
19:48 – How Different Will Nebraska’s Offense Look?
21:31 – Could Nebraska Use More RPO With Colandrea?
25:22 – Red-Zone Efficiency Will Be Key
26:09 – Protecting Colandrea & Improving the Entire Offense
27:19 – Bonus Truth: I’M HERE FOR IT ALL!
28:16 – Who Steps Up as Nebraska’s Team Leaders?
29:00 – Adam’s Questions for Husker Fans

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