The Virginia Cavaliers saw their season end with a loss to archrival Virginia Tech and, within 24 hours following the season finale, lost starting QB Anthony Colandrea to the transfer portal. With Colandrea’s experience for such a young signal-caller, he’ll be a surefire bet to garner a ton of interest in the portal as the offseason heats up.
Where Will Anthony Colandrea Transfer?
When it comes to Colandrea, he’ll have to transfer somewhere that he’s familiar with or that’s familiar with him. Despite his relative smaller stature in the pocket, Colandrea brings an attitude about him in the backfield that elevates talent around him.
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Though he’s somewhat of a gunslinger, Colandrea could very well fit into an offensive scheme that likes to run a timing-style offense to keep him in rhythm. But his skills should translate to whatever system he lands within.
These are Colandrea’s likely landing spots.
FAU
Returning home to the state of Florida makes sense for Colandrea. He once stared at Lakewood High School in St. Pete, and though FAU isn’t quite ‘at home’ for him, it would mark a significant move closer to his family and friends.
The new regime — whoever that will be — will be looking for continuity at the position and an upgrade after a few years of below-average QB play from the Owls as of late. FAU drew Colandrea’s interest as a high school recruit so it wouldn’t be shocking for him to start his search here, despite the coaching staff changeover.
However, it will likely all be up to who lands as the next head coach of the Owls to bring Colandrea in. The fit may be too good to pass up if Colandrea is still available.
Middle Tennessee
Derek Mason will be looking for a new QB eventually as Nicholas Vattiato will enter his final season with the program next year. Colandrea had interest from the MTSU staff back as a high schooler as well, and that familiarity might draw him to Murfreesboro, at least just for a visit to start the portal journey.
Mason’s pro-style offense started to gain prowess as the year went along, and Colandrea’s abilities may fit the system a bit better than Vattiato’s style of play does, anyway.
Bowling Green
The Bowling Green Falcons will be looking for a new QB now that the Connor Bazelak era is a game away from being over. They are no strangers to hunting the Power Four level for their new starters and if Scot Loeffler and Co. haven’t settled on Lucian Anderson as the heir apparent to Bazelak on a three-down basis, they’re sure to hit the portal hard this offseason.
Colandrea received interest and an offer from Loeffler and Co. during his recruitment and that familiarity may pay off in a big way this offseason; for both parties.
Hawaii
Once upon a time, Timmy Chang was seen as the potential savior to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors program once again. However, the years have ticked on and the progress has not been made; mainly because Chang has been forced to use the players he inherited and hasn’t truly been able to recruit or build through the portal the way he wanted.
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This staff once had Colandrea on their shortlist of quarterbacks and he could very well draw some serious interest from Hawaii once again. Colandrea’s skill set may fit incredibly well in Chang’s Air Raid scheme. It’s a scheme that he could use his quick decision-making and athleticism to set up those gunslinging shots downfield in time.
Who better to guide him than Chang?
USF
Now, the easiest of returns, if the USF Bulls are so keen. This will mainly rely on what happens with their own QB situation and whether or not Byrum Brown returns to the program following an embattled 2024 campaign.
Colandrea would be right at home with the Bulls as he hails from St. Pete. If the staff were to like what Colandrea has to offer — and they should — he could be the missing piece to Alex Golesh’s offense.
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