Matt Rhule said before the transfer portal opened, “The portal giveth, and the portal taketh away.” Well, Nebraska fans found out Monday night just how true that statement is. Approximately 24 hours after Notre Dame QB Kenny Minchey committed to Nebraska he decommitted and announced he would be going to Kentucky instead. It was a gut punch for Husker fans who thought Nebraska had gotten their number one target.
Early reports indicate Kentucky offered Minchey a blank check. So, now another phrase applies, “money talks.” That phrase will be what several Husker fans immediately point to. Didn’t Matt Rhule just tell us that Nebraska could now compete financially with anyone? So why did Nebraska lose their quarterback?
Well, just because Minchey left for more money doesn’t mean Nebraska is required to offer him stupid money. Especially for a QB who isn’t a starter and is unproven. The portal and NIL are about being smart and getting the best bang for your buck. That’s part of why Dylan Raiola is no longer with Nebraska.
Husker fans need to stop and think about what transpired. That phrase, “money talks” can have multiple meanings. And in this case, it told us all we needed to know about Kenny Minchey. He isn’t the right guy and is playing for all the wrong reasons. That’s not to say he won’t have success, but it’s clear with his leaving that it wasn’t just about football for him.
You can watch the portal and it’s easy to separate the players who want to play ball and the ones who are in it for a big payday. If you look at players like Josh Hoover and Drew Mestemaker, you’ll see guys who want to compete at the highest level and play for coaches who will develop them. Yes, the moves they made will earn them more money, but they could’ve made more someplace else if that had been their main objective.
When talking about NIL, Rhule has also said, “the desperate teams set the market.” After Minchey departed Nebraska knew they needed to move quickly. Each passing day meant the Huskers would be closer to being one of those desperate teams. So, Rhule and Pat Stewart went to work.
By mid-morning it was being reported that the top quarterback candidates Nebraska was looking at were Michigan State’s Aiden Chiles, Florida’s DJ Lagway, UNLV’s Anthony Colandrea, and Missouri’s Beau Pribula. Visits were arranged and by 5:30pm Pete Nakos of ON3 reported Anthony Colandrea had committed to Nebraska. Colandrea had previously visited Florida State and then cancelled a planned trip to Georgia Tech after visiting Lincoln.
Landing Colandrea is big for the Huskers. The plus with Colandrea over Minchey is his experience. He has played 33 career games in three seasons and has passed for 7,500 yards with 49 touchdowns and 29 interceptions while rushing for over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs. He arrives in Lincoln with one full season to play plus a redshirt if needed.
Voted the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Rebels to a 10-4 record Colandrea was highly sought after in the portal. In his only season at UNLV, the 6’0” 205lb dual-threat QB completed 70% of his passes for 3,459 yards and 23 TDs with 9 interceptions. He was also the Rebel’s second leading rusher with 649 yards on 127 carries for a 5.1 yard per carry average and 10 TDs. A playmaker, his biggest attribute is his ability to move in the pocket and pass on the run.
Husker fans should be elated with the fact they now have a quarterback with an arm and mobility. And best of all, he’s coming for the right reasons, to be a Husker, lead his new team, and compete at the highest level.
In this case be thankful the portal “taketh away” Husker fans, some things happen for a reason.
GO BIG RED!!
Photo courtesy of The Falls City Journal
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