Anthony Colandrea checking all the boxes in fall camp for Nebraska football

Dana Holgorsen knew one thing about expected Nebraska football starting quarterback Anthony Colandrea. He knew that he could run around and make things happen.

“You could see it on the UNLV tape,” Holgorsen said to the Husker Radio Network after Thursday’s fall camp practice.

Yet, there were questions that Holgorsen still needed answered. He wasn’t sure how good Colandrea was at processing — at reading defenses, seeing the field, and making quick decisions. The third-year Nebraska football offensive coordinator also said he didn’t know about the arm talent, just because he hadn’t coached Colandrea before.

Those questions have been answered in the affirmative by Colandrea. Holgorsen said that the transfer quarterback “checked all the boxes.” The offensive coordinator also said the Huskers were really excited about where he’s at right now.

Even though Colandrea hasn’t been named the starter, it feels like only a matter of time. The Mountain West Player of the Year feels like the most dynamic quarterback Nebraska has had since Adrian Martinez. Pair that with a top-25 defense, assuming there is a large improvement in the first season under Rob Aurich, and this team could easily exceed expectations.

Nebraska running backs are talented, just young

Holgorsen also said he feels good about the running back room. He said it was five deep. People often forget about Kwinten Ives, myself included, but he was a solid short-yardage back in the bowl game.

Ives could have a role, even if he seems like the forgotten man with Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee, Tikey Hayes, and Jamal Rule all getting their fair share of buzz. Hayes has joined the team now, so we’ll have a better idea of his capability, at least in terms of the 2026 season, soon.

That being said, Ceyair Wright didn’t make much of an impact early in the 2024 season, before becoming one of the Huskers’ best defenders. It can take players time to adjust, so even if Hayes doesn’t generate a ton of buzz early, don’t count him out.

My takeaway is that Holgorsen doesn’t seem worried about the running backs at all. He’s excited about Colandrea, and the running game feels like it will look completely different, in a good way. That’s something that can probably be said about the entire offense, which would be a positive development, if true.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel.