College football veterans face off for UNLV quarterback job

UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) hands off to running back Jai'Den Thomas (26) during practice at the Rebel Field at UNLV Saturday, March 29, 2025. Photo by: Steve Marcus

One glance at the UNLV roster is all that college football fans should need to realize how much has changed at the program.

Recognizable names from around the sport abound, especially for those who follow recruiting. UNLV’s success the last two years under now former coach Barry Odom, who led the Rebels to a combined 19-8 record before departing for Purdue last December, has helped the program become a destination for highly touted players.

The transfer portal now rules college football, and UNLV has made good use of it. First-year coach Dan Mullen, who’s replacing Odom, built the top-ranked transfer class in the Mountain West and the fourth highest among all non-power conference teams this offseason, according to 247 Sports.

The impact of the incoming class starts at the sport’s most important position: quarterback. Mullen lured a pair of former national top 50 quarterback recruits in the portal for the chance to succeed last year’s graduated starter, Hajj-Malik Williams.

Anthony Colandrea, who started the last two years at Virginia, and Alex Orji, who started for a stretch last season at Michigan, are familiar names in college football circles. One of them will be at the helm for the Scarlet and Gray this season as they’re locked into a training-camp battle leading up to the season opener against Idaho State on August 23 at Allegiant Stadium.

Mullen isn’t giving anything away and says both Colandrea and Orji are still in a “developmental stage” of learning his offense. There’s a strong chance they both play against the Bengals, but the coach will need to settle on one quarterback eventually.

Anthony Colandrea

Career statistics: 352 completions on 566 attempts for 4,083 passing yards with 26 touchdowns and 20 interceptions; 201 rush attempts for 502 yards and two touchdowns

Record as a starter: 6-11

Strengths: Colandrea has an NFL-caliber arm, per multiple scouting reports. He can fit passes into tight windows and has excelled on both quick throws and other timing-based routes. He also has a natural feel for the pocket and has been adept at buying time by scrambling whenever he feels it collapsing.

Weaknesses: Colandrea can be too careless with the ball and too desperate to make a big play. Turnovers, both interceptions and fumbles, have dogged him for two straight years and contributed directly to a rash of close losses while he was at Virginia. He might be skilled at escaping from pressure, but he doesn’t always make the sharpest decisions while on the run.

Best college moment so far: In Week 2 of last season, Virginia trailed Wake Forest for the opening 58 minutes in the team’s ACC opener. But Colandrea kept fighting and ultimately led a 13-point comeback in the final 10 minutes. The Cavaliers edged out the victory 31-30 behind Colandrea’s season-high 357 passing yards.

Teammate’s take: “He’s real mobile. He can make plays even when things go into shambles.” –Junior receiver DeAngelo Irvin

Alex Orji

Career statistics: 25 completions on 47 attempts for 155 passing yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions; 78 rush attempts for 392 yards and four touchdowns

Record as a starter: 2-1

Strengths: Orji is a threat to take off and make a big play in the run game at any moment. Even if a defensive lineman or a linebacker spy figures out Orji is ditching the chance to throw downfield, it’s no guarantee they can tackle him. Orji is bigger and more physical than most running backs, and frequently uses those gifts to break tackles.

Weaknesses: Despite spending two years under famed coach and former NFL quarterback Jim Harbaugh, Orji has shown little development as a passer. He has monstrous arm strength but lacks in accuracy and has been tentative to step up in the pocket and make throws. The longest completion in his career has gone for only 16 yards, and he’s averaging just more than three yards per attempt.

Best College moment so far: Orji was part of the College Football Playoff National Championship team in the 2023-2024 season, but rarely saw the field. He struggled his first career start the next season against USC, but teammates credited his leadership for helping spur a 27-24 Michigan comeback victory that included a game-winning touchdown in the final minute.

Teammate’s take: “He has great tools. He can throw the ball and has a big frame.” –DeAngelo Irvin

This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.