Nebraska got a major piece of its future locked in on Friday, and it comes at the one spot Matt Rhule could not afford to leave unresolved.
Quarterback Anthony Colandrea has re-signed with Nebraska for the 2027 season, giving the Huskers stability after the departure of Dylan Raiola sent them back into the portal for an answer. Per On3’s Pete Nakos, Colandrea is expected to be one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in college football next season.
That matters for Nebraska not just because of who Colandrea is, but because of what he gives the program. Rhule went shopping in the portal and brought in the former Virginia and UNLV quarterback, a player with far more than just a passing skill set. He has been a central part of Nebraska’s offense and now gives the Huskers a real foundation heading into the next cycle.
Colandrea has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the Big Ten this season. He ranks third in the conference in total offense at 271.9 yards per game. Through seven games, he has thrown for 1,570 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions while also rushing for 334 yards and four scores.
The timing is good for Nebraska, which is 5-2 and back from a bye week before facing Washington. The Huskers have dropped two games, but both came by three points, against Indiana and Oregon. That has left the season feeling like one where the margins have been razor-thin.
Now Nebraska has more than just a short-term answer. With Colandrea set to return, the Huskers have clarity at quarterback and a centerpiece to sell to the rest of the roster and the transfer market. Wide receivers and running backs want to know there is a quarterback behind center who can help drive wins, and Nebraska now has that message locked in.
The move also dovetails with another important piece of the future: five-star quarterback Trae Taylor is coming into the program next season as part of the 2027 class. He’ll get the chance to learn behind Colandrea, while Nebraska looks ahead to having Taylor available for 2028.
In Other News...
Ryan Walters Just Handed Nebraska Fans More Fuel For Memorial Stadium
Ryan Walters may have done Nebraska a favor without meaning to. The Washington defensive coordinator and former Purdue coach revisited Memorial Stadium in comments that acknowledged the places passionate fan base and the way it can go quiet when the Huskers make plays, a reminder of just how much the environment matters when Nebraska is at home.
Given Walters history with the program and his previous critical remarks, it is no surprise his latest take has landed in Lincoln. Nebraskas athletic department now has fresh material to work with, and fans can probably expect those comments to be hanging around the stadium atmosphere when the next game kicks off. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Gets A Timely Boost As Washington Injury Questions Grow
Matt Rhule said Riley Van Poppel will be back for Nebraskas game against Washington after missing the last two contests with an injury, a welcome development for a defense that can use all the help it can get heading into a tricky matchup. The latest injury report still leaves some moving parts, though, with Gunnar Gottula ruled out and Vincent Shavers listed as questionable.
The timing matters for more than just Saturdays lineup. Nebraska is also set to host more than 50 recruits this weekend, including five-star offensive tackle Antijuan Wilkes Jr., giving the program a big-stage chance to sell its momentum in person while the Huskers try to keep stacking positive news on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Colandrea Just Changed Nebraskas Entire Offseason Plan
A quick round of retention talks ended with Nebraska locking down a major piece of its future, as quarterback Anthony Colandrea agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in Lincoln through the 2027 season. The move comes after speculation around the transfer market, but Colandrea made it clear he wanted to stay with the Huskers, giving the program an important bit of certainty at a position that can shape everything else in an offseason.
For Nebraska, the timing matters just as much as the agreement itself. With Colandrea settled in, the coaching staff can turn its full attention to other roster needs instead of wondering whether it would have to replace its quarterback plan, and that kind of stability changes how the rest of the winter can unfold. It also gives the Huskers a clearer foundation heading into the next stretch, even if the bigger roster questions still have to be answered. [Read more 🡒]