The Transfer Portal was a rollercoaster of emotions for Nebraska fans. First, head coach Matt Rhule landed former Notre Dame backup quarterback Kenny Minchey early on, but just days later, he announced his flip to Kentucky, the team he ultimately ended up signing with.
The quarterback position was a key focus for Rhule in the Transfer Portal with the transfer of starter Dylan Raiola to Oregon. The Cornhuskers have backup TJ Lateef, who took over for Raiola late in the season after his leg injury; however, Rhule wanted to get a little competition going.
It didn't take long for Rhule to find a replacement for Minchey as UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea suddenly committed ot the Cornhuskers. While Minchey, who almost won the quarterback battle in 2025 for Notre Dame, would have been a great addition, Rhule is reassuring Husker fans that they will love Colandrea even more.
Matt Rhule was about to leave the office when his GM, Pat Stewart, handed him a phone with Kenny Minchey's agent on the other end.
— Steve Marik (@Steve_Marik) January 19, 2026
Minchey flipped to Kentucky.
Forced to pivot, Rhule landed on playmaker Anthony Colandrea.
"I think we came away better." https://t.co/yVVAuCw37X
Anthony Colandrea may fit into Nebraska's offense better than Kenny Minchey
When Minchey made the flip to Kentucky, Rhule was quick to go out and get Colandrea from UNLV, and it might end up being the move that takes Nebraska to the next level. While it was a close battle, Minchey ended up losing the starting role to freshman CJ Carr at Notre Dame in 2025, so he did not see the field a lot last season.
On the flip side, Colandrea has three full seasons as a starter in his career, so it is clear he knows how to lead a team. In 2025, Colandrea had a 65.9% completion rate, the highest in his career with 3,459 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions. Colandrea has the experience of being a starter that Minchey has yet to gain in two seasons of college football.
Matt Rhule seemed to think that Nebraska came out better on the backside of the whole quarterback controversy in the transfer portal this year. Everything will be answered in the 2026 season, but right now, the job looks like it will be Colandrea's unless a serious quarterback battle shows something else.