UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea is officially on the move. After a breakout junior season, the dual-threat playmaker has entered the transfer portal - and he's drawing serious Power Four attention. Early buzz points to Florida State and Tennessee as two programs keeping a close eye on his next move.
Let’s talk about why Colandrea is turning heads.
Last season at UNLV, Colandrea put together the kind of stat line that gets coaches and fanbases alike to sit up and pay attention. He completed 275-of-417 passes for 3,459 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions - efficient, aggressive, and productive.
But it wasn’t just his arm that made noise. Colandrea added 649 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, showing off the mobility that makes him a real headache for defenses.
At 6-foot, 205 pounds, Colandrea isn’t the biggest quarterback in the portal, but he plays with a confidence and command that belies his size. His lone year at UNLV - under the guidance of Dan Mullen - saw him take a major step forward, both in decision-making and overall production. It was a clear resurgence after a rocky start to his college career.
Before landing in Las Vegas, Colandrea spent two seasons at Virginia. His time there was a bit of a rollercoaster.
In 2024, he started 11 games, completing 62% of his passes for 2,125 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also chipped in 277 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The year before, as a freshman in 2023, he played in eight games and started six, putting up a nearly identical completion rate (62.6%) with 1,958 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and nine picks.
His college career got off to a fast - and unexpected - start. In 2023, Colandrea was thrown into the fire in Virginia’s season opener against Tennessee after starter Tony Muskett went down with an injury. It wasn’t a banner debut - just 2-of-7 passing for 12 yards, plus 17 rushing yards on two carries - but it gave him a taste of SEC speed and set the stage for what’s become an intriguing career arc.
Now, Tennessee might be circling back.
The Vols’ quarterback situation is a bit murky heading into the offseason. Joey Aguilar, who’s been a key figure under center, is currently out of eligibility under existing NCAA rules.
However, he’s also involved in a lawsuit challenging those very rules, particularly for former junior college players. If the legal challenge succeeds, it could potentially open the door for Aguilar’s return - but there’s no clear timeline for a resolution.
That uncertainty could push Tennessee to explore other options in the portal, and Colandrea fits the mold of a quarterback who could step in and compete right away. He’s experienced, versatile, and coming off his most complete season to date.
Whether it’s Knoxville, Tallahassee, or somewhere else entirely, Colandrea’s next stop will be one to watch. He’s not just another name in the portal - he’s a proven playmaker with upside, and he’s about to become one of the more intriguing quarterback dominoes of this cycle.