When the Transfer Portal opened last week, Nebraska lost their starting quarterback, and then gained another. Then suddenly they didn’t. Then just as suddenly, they did. And if you believe the rumor mill, there’s a chance that the one who left first will be back in Lincoln next fall.
Confused? Welcome to College Football’s version of unfettered free agency. Here’s the latest:
After ending the season on a three-game losing streak, Head Coach Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers promised significant alterations – mostly additions – to the Cornhuskers’ roster via the Transfer Portal. Less than a week into the January portal period, Rhule and his staff have already been making good on that promise.
Overcoming a minor glitch involving the commitment-then-decommitment of former Notre Dame back up QB Kenny Minchey, The Huskers have made significant headway during the first five days of the portal season.
It took less than one day for Minchey’s replacement to be added to the roster when the Huskers secured the commitment of former UNLV QB Anthony Colandrea, a dual threat QB who was the 2025 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and a former two year signal caller at Virginia. With just one year of eligibility remaining, Colandrea provides the perfect bridge for young QB TJ Lateef and future Huskers signee Trea Taylor.
There are still just two scholarship QB’s on the current roster, so expect NU to sign one more signal caller in the portal.
With the quarterback position in good shape, the offensive line was also going to be a point of emphasis in the portal. The first addition was former Iowa State Guard Brendan Black, a 320-pounder with three years of starting experience. Then former South Carolina tackle Tree Babalade signed on, giving new OL coach Geep Wade line two experienced pieced to add in. More are expected.
On Defense the Huskers needed veteran help at linebacker, and thus far they’ve added three solid additions. That group is led by former San Diego State Aztec Owen Chambliss, last year’s Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. They also landed former Iowa State Cyclone recruit Will Hawthorne – who Nebraska tried to sign out of high school – and former Oregon State ‘backer Dexter Foster.
That’s seven solid portal additions for the Huskers so far.
The addition of Colandrea grabbed the headlines, while the situation involving former Huskers QB Dylan Raiola remains unresolved. So far, there have been only rumors about the junior-to-be’s next destination. It’s possible he remains in the Big Ten, with both Oregon and Ohio State being rumored destinations for the former five-star recruit. There are also reports that Raiola could end up at Miami as the replacement for Carson Beck next season.
As of yet, there’s not even been a goodbye letter from Raiola’s camp, much less any firm indication of where he’s headed.
There are however, lots of rumors surrounding Raiola’s next landing spot. If one rumor proves to be true, and he ends up a Buckeye, he’d be returning to Memorial Stadium as a visitor next fall when Ohio State visits Lincoln. Meanwhile, there’s also the chance Rhule’s team could see their former QB next season if he lands in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks are one of Nebraska’s Big Ten road opponents next season.
For now, the only things that are for sure is that Nebraska has landed a replacement for Raiola, and that their work in the portal isn’t done.
Huskers Past and Present Ride the QB Transfer Portal Roller Coaster