LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — UNLV football held its first full-pads practice of the season Tuesday as the battle for starting positions heats up, particularly at quarterback where two transfer students are vying for the top spot.
Michigan transfer Alex Orji and Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea are both competing for the starting quarterback role, bringing significant experience to the Rebels offense.
Rather than viewing the competition as divisive, the two quarterbacks see it as an opportunity to build camaraderie and push each other to excel.
WATCH | UNLV QBs Orji and Colandrea build camaraderie while competing for starting position
"Alex is the man, he's super positive, even after a good play, a bad play, he's even keel," Colandrea said.
"No matter what we push each other to be the best, Anthony has that dog in him…it's good to have that guy in the locker room," Orji said.
Orji brings championship pedigree to the team as the only player with a national championship under his belt, while Colandrea contributes the most starting experience among this year's quarterback group.
WATCH | Head coach Dan Mullen on the status of the team
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
-
UNLV Rebels kick off spring ball with first practice under new head coach
While we're still five months away from foot meeting ball in UNLV's season opener at Sam Houston State, the team is emphasizing spring ball as a chance for player development with a new regime.UNLV's La Rocque balances coaching stardom and motherhood in hometown return
UNLV's Lindy La Rocque is building champions — and a family. The Vegas native is proving women can lead, coach, and mother at the highest level.Next chapter at UNLV: Josh Pastner introduced as Runnin' Rebels head coach
“It starts with me because I have to set the tone," Josh Pastner said about restoring a championship culture to UNLV 35 years after its only national title.UNLV announces new head coach for Runnin' Rebels basketball team
Previously, Josh Pastner coached at Georgia Tech and Memphis, and was a student-athlete on the 1997 National Championship team at Arizona.