(Photo: Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire, Getty)
It used to be a common story wondering how a newcomer might fit into a roster. How fast could they catch up to the culture and be one of the guys with their new teammates?
While that probably still exists to a lesser degree, we’re not exactly driving in that same neighborhood anymore.
As Matt Rhule quipped on Thursday, there sometimes seems to be as many announcements from guys who are … staying. In a time of constant movement it’s news sometimes when a player just says he’s planning to keep the same apartment key.
However you feel about it all, there could be a usefulness to it for a quarterback looking to come in and quickly lead despite not having sweated through the same mat drills 12 months ago as some of his locker room mates.
“There’s not many teams playing in the College Football Playoff that aren’t playing with a transfer quarterback,” Rhule said. “It might still feel weird to us but it’s the new normal for these kids.”
In the case of Nebraska’s new transfer quarterback, senior Anthony Colandrea, this spring is more opportunity to grow in that role without it being forced either. The head coach knows it’s better to just let it evolve. Such is the plan here in the 2026 edition of Nebraska football. And the new QB seems to be rolling right along with it.