USU QB Colombi exits via transfer portal as Shelley transfers in

The Earth barely had time to rotate once before Utah State’s quarterback controversy, brought on by the addition of former University of Utah QB, Jason Shelley, reached its apparent conclusion. The presumed front-runner — at least prior to July 14 when Shelley announced he would transfer to Logan — junior Henry Colombi is reportedly entering the transfer portal according to multiple sources, one of which is Colombi’s father.

Utah State QB Henry Colombi is in the portal. He played in six games for the Aggies last season as Jordan Love's backup. https://t.co/uOJWd3MYFb

— 247Sports Transfer Portal (@247SportsPortal) July 15, 2020

With the departure of three-year starter, Jordan Love, the heir-apparent to the QB1 spot was Colombi having been the primary backup to Love for two seasons. Utah State’s only other QB’s on the roster at the commencement of spring ball were redshirt freshman duo Josh Calvin and Cooper Legas along with sophomore Andrew Peasley who is coming off a season-ending knee injury and was the clear third-string quarterback behind Love and Colombi.

In his three seasons at Utah State (the first one being a redshirt season), Colombi appeared in 11 games — contests that were almost exclusively blowouts by the time he took his first snap — throwing for 460 yards, completing 53 of 69 passes (76.8 percent) with a pair of touchdown passes and one interception. Colombi also ran for 139 yards and two rushing scores.

On Twitter, Colombi’s father expressed his thanks to USU Athletics Director, John Hartwell, and former football head coach, Matt Wells, who coached the younger Colombi for two seasons. Current head coach, Gary Andersen, was not named in his lone tweet.

Appreciate you. Our gratitude goes to Coach Matt Wells and athletic director John Hartwell for Affording my son the opportunity to pursue his education and athletic career in beautiful Logan at Utah State University..

— Coach Henry Colombi (@CoachColombi) July 15, 2020