When new Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea talked to Pete Nakos of On3, most of the focus was on the signal-caller’s expectations. Those expectations are higher than what most fans expect from NU in 2026. They’re the kind of expectations that national analysts tend to ridicule and belittle. They’re too high for a program that hasn’t won more than seven games in a decade. And yet, Colandrea did lay out a couple of the reasons he expects NU to be even better than some believe. Why does he believe it won’t just be treading water?
Anthony Colandrea sees Quinn Clark as a big piece for Nebraska football
Unsurprisingly, the Husker quarterback called out a couple of his new teammates who are also competing to be impact players at wide receiver. Chief among those is UCLA transfer Kwazi Gilmer. Colandrea said he’s been impressed with the former Bruin this spring, but more than that, he’s really liking the other players that will surround him on offense.
Among the receivers who might be overlooked by most people but could be a very nice complementary piece to Gilmer is Quinn Clark. The Nebraska quarterback said Clark will be a “big piece” for what the Huskers want to accomplish.
Anthony Colandrea told @On3 he’s been impressed by UCLA transfer WR Kwazi Gilmer.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) May 13, 2026
WR Quinn Clark is "going to be a big piece," and Jacory Barney is a "really good player." He also expects freshman RB Jamal Rule to "have a huge impact for us."
More: https://t.co/Tcrs9Vv8Iu https://t.co/J0IitlGbUQ pic.twitter.com/yDiRg0oxag
He might not have realized just how figurative and literal he was being at the same time. Clark is a big piece, meaning he’s actually big. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 210 pounds, the son of former Nebraska running back Ken Clark is one of the biggest-bodied receivers that has been on the roster in the last few years.
A red-shirt sophomore this season, Clark didn’t have a huge 2025, but he showed just enough that coaches have also talked about him as someone who could be a real impact player in 2026. Last year, he played in all 13 games, starting one, as a redshirt freshman. He caught five passes for 132 yards and one touchdown.
Quinn Clark gives Nebraska football a big-bodied receiver with breakout potential
Clark had a seven-yard reception against Cincinnati for the first catch of his career. He had a 37-yard catch and run for a touchdown against Akron, scoring his first career touchdown. Clark had a 14-yard reception against No. 21 Michigan. He caught a career-long 43-yard pass at Minnesota. Clark started the first game of his career in the Las Vegas Bowl, catching a 31-yard pass against No. 15 Utah.
The consensus top player in Montana in his senior season, he put on some serious numbers before coming to Nebraska. As a receiver, Clark caught 43 passes for 829 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. As a junior, he had 58 receptions for 918 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also shone on the defensive side of the ball, tallying 79 career tackles, 6 interceptions, and 10 passes defended.
Alongside Gilmer and Jacory Barney, who Colandrea also called a real weapon for the Huskers, Quinn Clark could be a tool that Nebraska football opponents don’t see coming. He could be one of the reasons the Cornhuskers achieve what their quarterback expects and more than what most fans are prepared for.
Add us as a preferred source on Google