Nebraska QB Kaelin commits to UVA; Colandrea to Ole Miss?

By Jerry Ratcliffe

While reports from down South claim that former Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea is expected to commit to Ole Miss, the Cavaliers have gained a commitment from his replacement, in addition to a pair of defensive backs out of the transfer portal.

Daniel Kaelin, a 6-foot-3 freshman with four years of eligibility remaining, and once ranked the No. 6 prospect in the state of Nebraska, has committed to Virginia. Kaelin, who was rated the No. 5 quarterback prospect in the state for the class of 2024 out of Bellevue West High School in Bellevue, Neb., committed to Nebraska after an outstanding high school career.

At Bellevue, he threw for 2,225 yards and 17 touchdowns to only six interceptions his senior year, completing 187 of 319 passes. He also rushed for 169 yards and a pair of scores. He was rated a 3-star prospect.

Kaelin did not play for the Cornhuskers this past season, losing the job to prized 5-star Dylan Raiola, who started every game as a true freshman.

Virginia quarterbacks coach Taylor Lamb flew to Nebraska and worked Kaelin out, and UVA offered a few days later.

Meanwhile, Colandrea, who left Virginia after being benched for the final game of the season, reportedly is leaning toward committing to Ole Miss after visiting the Rebels last Friday. Colandrea also planned visits to Pitt and Syracuse.

Rated as the No. 7 quarterback prospect nationally in the portal by a consensus of the major recruiting services in the country, On3 rated him even higher, as the No. 3 QB available in the portal.

UVA also gained commitments from two defensive backs, veteran safety Devin Neal from Louisville and sophomore Ja’son Prevard, a 6-3, 185-pound cornerback from Morgan State. Apparently, Prevard was also being recruited by Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Utah and Texas Tech.

Neal (6-0, 192) spent three years at Baylor before transferring to Louisville after the 2022 season. He was a regular for Baylor and posted 41 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and sack in ‘22 for the Bears.

His best year was the following season at Louisville when he was selected third-team All-ACC in ‘23, recording 74 tackles (second-most on the team), four interceptions (tied for second in the ACC) and six passes defended.

Neal’s playing time diminished this past season when he became part of a three-man rotation. After four games, he declared he was opting out and planned to enter the portal.

Neal is a key recruit for UVA, which loses starting safeties Jonas Sanker (All-ACC first-team) and Corey Thomas Jr.

Neal played in 51 games at his two college stops after being rated the No. 12 prospect in the state of Kentucky in the recruiting class of 2020, the No. 63 safety in the nation. Strangely, the Lexington, Ky., native only had one offer from a Power 5 conference school, Baylor.