Hayes dismissed from Nebraska, Colandrea ranks ninth among Big Ten QBs

Nebraska running back Tikey Hayes has been dismissed from the program, thinning a backfield that had been considered close to set heading into the 2026 season. The move was first reported Monday by Sean Callahan of Husker Online.

Hayes arrived at Nebraska after beginning his college career at Penn State and then spending time at Iowa Western. He had been considered a potential contributor in the Cornhuskers' running back rotation, with some speculation that he could factor into the starting conversation. His dismissal ends his Nebraska tenure before he played a snap for the program.

Colandrea Enters Season with Big Ten Ranking in Hand

On the same day Hayes' dismissal was reported, USA TODAY Sports released its rankings of all Big Ten quarterbacks, placing Nebraska's Anthony Colandrea ninth — just inside the top half of the conference. Colandrea, a transfer from UNLV, takes over the starting role following Dylan Raiola's departure. He was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, averaging nearly 250 passing yards per game.

Over three seasons before arriving in Lincoln, Colandrea accumulated 7,542 passing yards and 49 touchdowns. USA TODAY's Paul Myerberg highlighted Colandrea's improvisational ability and mobility as distinguishing traits. Colandrea ran for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns last season alone, and 1,151 yards and 12 touchdowns across his career — a marked contrast to Raiola, who finished with positive rushing yards in only six of his 22 games at Nebraska.

Five quarterbacks Nebraska is scheduled to face this season ranked ahead of Colandrea in the USA TODAY list: Ohio State's Julian Sayin at No. 1, Oregon's Dante Moore at No. 2, Washington's Demond Williams Jr. at No. 3, Indiana's Josh Hoover at No. 4, and Penn State's Rocco Becht at No. 7. Camp reports from On3 Nebraska indicate Colandrea has led a quarterback room that also features TJ Lateef and Daniel Kaelin competing for the backup role, with observers describing encouraging offensive potential through the first weeks of fall camp.