Anthony Colandrea just guaranteed that someday, the Nebraska quarterback will be the answer to a Trivial Pursuit question. On Friday morning, Colandrea became the first-ever player to receive a contract extension with the Huskers.
According to Pete Thamel, the Cornhuskers have officially signed their QB1 to a contract extension that will have him return to Lincoln for his fifth and final season in 2027. In this new era of paying players, the signing lets Matt Rhule and his staff focus on other positions of need when the offseason officially arrives.
Nebraska resigns its star quarterback for another season
Earlier this month, the Nebraska head coach said several SEC teams were trying to tamper with Colandrea and entice him to leave the Huskers when the Transfer Portal opens this winter. Rhule added that he and his staff had started retention talks, and things moved very quickly from there.
Colandrea, for his part, made it clear he wanted to stick around with several statements in the media. Others pointed out he had set up a football camp for the summer of 2027, a move that seemed unusual if he was unsure he was coming back to Nebraska.
Knowing Colandrea is back as the starter, Nebraska can be a magnet for potential portal targets and players returning, as Nebraska builds out for 2027. Colandrea is third in the Big Ten in total offense at 271.9 yards per game. Colandrea was miffed by speculation that he’d…
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 30, 2026
Thamel added that one reason the Huskers were able to get this deal done so quickly was that Colandrea was “miffed” about whispers that he was looking to transfer out after the season. Some of that annoyance might have come from what happened last year.
Colandrea originally said he fully intended to return to UNLV before eventually entering the Transfer Portal. Some unruly Rebels fans took his reversal as a personal affront. In reality, the departure was just a reality of the landscape in the sport.
This time around, Colandrea won’t hear any second-guessers about his intent to stay a Husker. Meanwhile, NU not only has its quarterback locked in and doesn’t have to worry about acquiring another player at the position, but it also gives Rhule and the staff a leg up on recruiting other positions.
If Nebraska decides it needs to go into the portal for a running back or receiver, those players will know without a doubt who will be throwing them the ball or handing them the ball. Offensive linemen will know who they’re blocking for, and defensive players will have a good idea of what the Huskers’ offense will do when NU has the ball.
The signing also guarantees that much-heralded 5-star quarterback Trae Taylor will have a 5-year veteran teaching him the ropes. By not going out and getting a younger player, it also provides a more direct roadmap to the year Taylor could take over the Nebraska football program and make it his.
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