TJ Lateef is embracing the competition in the quarterback room, knowing full well that anyone's name can be called upon at a moment's notice.
LINCOLN — When TJ Lateef got to Nebraska as a true freshman, he was locked into a backup role behind returning starter Dylan Raiola. Halfway through the eighth game of the year, he became the full-time starter.
Raiola is gone, but in comes Mountain West Player of the Year Anthony Colandrea. The transfer is expected to be the starter, but that isn't getting in the way of how Lateef is preparing for his sophomore campaign.
"It's a competition every day," Lateef said. "No matter where we're at in the facility. No matter if we're lifting. No matter if we're in recovery. Whatever we're doing, I'm trying to compete at the end of the day."
TJ Lateef made four starts as a true freshman, getting the win at UCLA. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesLateef is a competitor, but he also loves football. That's a driving focus for him to be at his best whenever his name is called for a practice rep or in front of 85,000 at Memorial Stadium.
"Football is fun. Just being able to wake up every morning and do what I love to do most, that's all I could ask for," Lateef said.
While an injury gave Lateef extra game reps last fall, it also burned his redshirt. That was something he could use as a backup in 2026, but redshirts are now gone with the new 5-for-5 eligibility rule. Either way, Lateef wasn't planning to redshirt or worry about what the rule changes might be.
"I never had a mindset of redshirting or 5-for-5. I just had a mindset of having fun and being blessed to be here at Nebraska," Lateef said.
Lateef enters preseason camp with added confidence from making four starts to end his freshman season.
"I gained a great understanding of the game," Lateef said. "Those are great football teams that I faced."
Despite losses to Penn State, Iowa, and Utah to close out the year, TJ Lateef picked up valuable experience and reps that will benefit him going forward. | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesGetting better this offseason included getting "bigger, faster, stronger," but also improving how he mentally prepares for games. It also included learning from Colandrea and making off-schedule plays.
"Taking plays, taking nothing and bringing it into something," Lateef said, adding that Colandrea is a guy who has a lot of juice.
The incorporation of those off-schedule plays is something that offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen hasn't looked to build on more. He said so in the spring, and both the quarterbacks and receivers have needed to develop that trait and chemistry for the upcoming season.
"To make plays off-schedule, you got to have receivers and tight ends that will be able to work with you. I feel like they've been doing a good job with scramble drill and helping us when we extend plays," Lateef said.
Lateef says the scramble drill is about having fun and operates like "backyard football." How this new addition to Holgorsen's offense will be one to watch, no matter who is at quarterback.
