Spring ball is underway at Rebel Park, and while new head coach Dan Mullen might say the quarterback competition is all about camaraderie and mutual respect—make no mistake, this battle between Anthony Colandrea and Alex Orji has some serious heat.
Two Transfers, Two Different Styles
Anthony Colandrea, the junior transfer from Virginia, brings a steady, proven presence to the huddle. Over two seasons at UVA, Colandrea threw for over 4,000 yards, notching 26 touchdowns through the air. Yeah, he’s got some picks (20 INTs across two seasons)—but he’s a gunslinger who isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield. Colandrea’s got the arm talent and swagger to be the Rebels' QB1 from day one.
On the other side, Michigan transfer Alex Orji offers intriguing upside. Orji’s passing résumé from his three years at Michigan might not wow you (155 yards, 3 TDs total)—but that’s mostly because the Wolverines used him as a gadget guy and a dual-threat specialist. His rushing stats are where things get spicy: 392 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing a dynamic ability to break defenses down with his legs.
Mullen's Offense: Who Fits Best?
Dan Mullen’s system is quarterback-friendly—just look at his track record with guys like Dak Prescott and Kyle Trask. It’s built to maximize a quarterback’s strengths, and in this UNLV quarterback duel, it means finding the perfect blend between big-play passing and dynamic running threats.
Orji fits the mold of the classic Dan Mullen dual-threat QB, capable of creating chaos for defenses in RPO and read-option packages. His explosive athleticism can flip the field in seconds.
But here’s the kicker: Colandrea’s precision and ability to pick apart defenses through the air match the more recent Mullen quarterback model—think Kyle Trask at Florida. Colandrea can put up numbers, manage tempo, and stretch defenses vertically.
For my money? It’s Colandrea’s job to lose.
What the Coaches Are Saying
Coach Mullen has preached a positive vibe around spring camp. Sure, competition is fierce, but Mullen stresses team culture above everything. He wants his quarterbacks to play instinctively and aggressively.
“Go as fast and as hard as you can,” Mullen emphasized this spring. “The execution will come as you continue to learn.”
Colandrea echoed that sentiment, acknowledging the challenge of a new system but confidently stating: “Coach Mullen is the man. My goal is learning this offense at a high level, fast.”
Meanwhile, Orji’s all-in on team-first mentality. “I’ve been lucky to be in quarterback rooms built on selflessness. That culture taught me the importance of always putting the team first.”
Early Takeaways
Right now, the battle is far from ruthless, but you can feel it heating up. Mullen’s task: balancing the explosive running potential of Orji versus the consistent, downfield threat Colandrea offers.
It’ll come down to who best masters Mullen’s playbook and can take control of the offense, earning trust from teammates and coaches alike.
Bottom Line
UNLV football fans, buckle up. This quarterback competition is just getting started. But when the dust settles, expect Anthony Colandrea under center Week 1—his arm talent, experience, and pure quarterback IQ are too good to keep on the sideline.
It's Colandrea's time to shine in Vegas. Let's ride.
STAMP IT.