Middle Tennessee lands three-star Florida QB Anthony Colandrea
Take another 2023 gunslinger off the board; on Monday three-star Florida quarterback Anthony Colandrea announced his commitment to Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders are getting one of the Sunshine State’s best with dual-threat abilities.
Colandrea put together a big junior season for St. Petersburg’s Lakewood High School tossing for 3,252 yards with 27 scores. On designed plays, or when things broke down, Colandrea had the wheels to keep plays alive and put points on the board. He rushed 43 times for the Spartans adding 362 yards on the stat sheet with five more touchdowns.
Over the double-digit offer mark, Colandrea got out this spring visiting UCF, Middle Tennessee, and Arkansas State over the weekend. The trip to Jonesboro with the Red Wolves helped cement his spot with the Blue Raiders.
Once Middle Tennessee offered in the new year, they kept on their top QB target.
“They called and offered me,” Colandrea said. Head coach Rick Stockstill, offensive coordinator Mitch Stewart, and QB coach Brent Stockstill call and/or text me every day. It feels like home there. They text my mom and dad too.”
That constant communication let Colandrea know he is a priority for Middle Tennessee.
“Our relationship has grown a lot,” Colandrea stated. “Being in contact with them every day, that is great. Having coach (Rick) “Stock” and coach Brent reaching out every day, knowing they wanted me, that has made me want to go there.”
The trip to Murfreesboro helped seal the deal.
“I went there Wednesday at night,” Colandrea said. “We toured the facilities on Thursday and then they took me to lunch. I watched their practice, took pics, and went to Nashville; it is a crazy environment. It felt like home.”
The transition from running the offense with the Spartans to the Blue Raiders should be an easy one for the three-star.
“The way they run their offense is what we run,” Colandrea stated. “I feel I would fit that system perfectly.”
The Blue Raiders’ coaching staff got the good news on Sunday.
“They found out last night,” Colandrea shared. “I did a FaceTime with their head coach and with their offensive coordinator.”
The announcement in favor of the Blue Raiders has been building for a couple of weeks.
“I’d say two weeks ago I had an idea and knew this past weekend after Arkansas State,” Colandrea said. “After how much love Middle Tennessee has showed me, I knew that was home.”