New UNLV head coach Dan Mullen and offensive coordinator Corey Dennis have a decision to make in the coming weeks about which quarterback will run the offense this season.
UNLV signed former Virginia starter Anthony Colandrea and a once highly sought-after recruit from Michigan in Alex Orji as part of a talented transfer class that is packed with former four- and five-star recruits and Power Four cast-offs.
Mullen knows a thing or two about working with talented quarterbacks. He mentored Alex Smith at Utah, Tim Tebow and Kyle Trask at Florida, and Dak Prescott at Mississippi State.
Mullen knows he has to make a decision, but he’s in no hurry. He said Monday during his first weekly press conference of the season that both quarterbacks will play when the Rebels welcome Idaho State to Allegiant Stadium for Week 0 on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, Mountain West Network).
He plans to use Saturday’s season opener against an FCS program as an audition, though he said he hasn’t decided on a rotation.
“I don’t know what we’re going to call on the first play of the game, so I don’t know who will be in first,” Mullen said. “Maybe both.”
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Orji Fits The Mullen Mold
Orji is the kind of quarterback Mullen usually recruits. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior is big and athletic. He has a strong arm, but he does just as much damage with his legs.
Mullen gushed about Orji’s physicality on Monday.
“Alex can throw the ball over a mountain, to quote Uncle Rico,” Mullen said. “And he’s just a real physical runner.”
Orji, a former four-star recruit, played in 20 games during three seasons at Michigan. He started three games last fall and finished with three touchdowns through the air and one on the ground.
Orji isn’t a traditional pocket passer, and his technique and decision-making could use some work. But he’s athletic enough to carve up defenses on the ground, given the opportunity behind a talented offensive line.
Mullen said Monday that both quarterbacks have done a nice job jelling with a lot of new teammates and they both have different leadership styles.
“Orji is a tremendous leader on his personality, his demeanor and his standard, and on holding everybody to a certain standard,” Mullen said. “Anthony has come in like the Energizer Bunny. He’s just going and going and doesn’t stop.”
Colandrea Is Battle Tested
Colandrea checks in at 6-foot and 205 pounds, but Mullen said he has all the physical tools to be a special quarterback.
“Anthony can make all the off-platform throws, and he’s actually one of the fastest guys on the team,” Mullen said.
What Colandrea lacks in pure athleticism, he makes up for with experience. He started 17 of the 19 games he played in during two seasons at Virginia. The Cavaliers didn’t win a lot of games with him under center. They went 3-9 in 2023 and 5-7 in 2024, but Colandrea had no problem filling the stat sheet.
He posted 4,083 yards and 26 touchdowns through the air and added 502 yards and two more scores on the ground. In 2023, he set Virginia freshman records for completions (154), passing yards (1,958), and total offense (2,183 yards).
Colandrea needs to do a better job of protecting the ball. He threw 20 interceptions the past two seasons, 11 of which were picked off last fall. But he has the experience and athleticism to lead a talent-laden team from UNLV to its third straight appearance in the Mountain West Championship.
