In 2024, Dylan Raiola came to Lincoln as a five-star sensation with an entire fanbase’s hopes placed on his shoulders. A year later, the exciting signal-caller is no longer merely the future of Nebraska football—he’s the face of its present.
With a 7-6 finish and the program’s first bowl win since 2016 under their belts, Nebraska heads into 2025 with guarded optimism and national attention. It all depends on Raiola, the second-year quarterback who flashed greatness as a true freshman and now has an entire offense’s resurgent hopes on his shoulders.
What 2024 Demonstrated: Dylan Raiola Delivered
The stakes are real. So is the promise. Under head coach Matt Rhule, Nebraska finally came alive in 2024.
Excited to be featured in 2024 #PaniniPrizm Draft
Picks!Grab your box here: https://t.co/9OAGhSr1pe#PaniniNIL #WhoDoYouCollect pic.twitter.com/lXYUCA2jv5
— Dylan Raiola (@RaiolaDylan) December 30, 2024
The Huskers finished 7-6 and topped their season off with a gritty 20-15 Pinstripe Bowl victory over Boston College. It was to end an eight-year bowl drought and to hint at a potential turning point for the vaunted program.
But that success came despite an unimpressive offense. Nebraska averaged only 23.5 points a game, frequently struggling to maintain drives and score in the red zone. The unit was inconsistent, particularly in explosive play. But within those parameters, Raiola remained above.
As a starting true freshman in all 13 games, Raiola threw 67% of his passes for 2,819 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He rushed for three scores and showed maturity far in excess of his years.
His arm, poise, and accuracy mixture gained respect throughout the Big Ten. Maybe more impressive than his line of stats, however, was how well he defended the football—only one interception in 250 tries at the Power Four level. That’s elite.
This year, Raiola comes not only as the starter but as the foundation of Nebraska’s identity. He’s no longer the freshman sensation. He’s the leader.
For Nebraska to make its move out of the Big Ten middle class, Raiola needs to transition from stand-out freshman to full-fledged star. That involves polishing some crucial areas:
- Pocket presence in the pocket
- Downfield accuracy, particularly on the deep ball
- Red-zone efficiency, where Nebraska all too often took the field goal in 2024
With the return of offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, scheme continuity might be a difference-maker. Satterfield’s offense is flexible, with pro-style ideas and spread principles, meant to fit itself to the strengths of personnel. For 2025, those strengths begin with Raiola, and pressure to reveal the rest of the offense falls squarely on his shoulders.
A Rebuilt Offense Revolving Around Raiola
Raiola is the focal point, but the parts surrounding him are still assembling. The Huskers will likely rotate backs this season, with Emmett Johnson expected to take on a bigger role after flashes of explosiveness in 2024.
Transfers like Dante Dowdell (Oregon) bring physicality and size, while true freshman Conor Booth could emerge as a change-of-pace option.
Nebraska dipped into the portal to add receiver talent with Dane Key (Kentucky) and Nyziah Hunter (Cal). These additions complement a unit that brings back Jacory Barney Jr. and Janiran Bonner. Key, in turn, should provide some much-needed downfield threat as Raiola leans on.
Following an inconsistency up front a year ago, Nebraska added Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame) and Elijah Pritchett (Alabama) to shore up the trenches. If this unit holds together early, it’ll allow Raiola the time in the pocket to work and take the eye off forced plays.
Nebraska’s calling card in 2024 was a defense that ranked 17th in the nation in scoring defense and frequently rescued the offensively challenged offense. The secondary is still stacked with veterans Marques Buford Jr., Malcolm Hartzog Jr., and DeShONlyon Singleton—a group that can shut down the back end against even the most potent passing attacks.
But the front seven did absorb some losses. Exit at defensive line and linebacker leave Rhule needing younger players and newcomers to come on in a hurry. If the defense holds in the top 25 neighborhood, Nebraska has a genuine opportunity to make the leap.
With USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington joining the Big Ten mix, the league is tougher than ever. Nebraska’s schedule includes road games at Penn State and Washington and home games with Iowa, Wisconsin, and Oregon—not exactly an easy road for a sophomore quarterback.
But if Raiola performs—and receives assistance—Nebraska may be the surprise improver in the revamped Big Ten.
Raiola arrived at Lincoln with the mission of altering the direction of a program that’s spent more than a decade attempting to regain former glory. In 2024, he showed that he was up to the task. In 2025, he has to take it.
With an overhauled offense, a tested defense, and a coach who has faith in him, Raiola doesn’t simply have the chance to make Nebraska better—he has the expectation to. And finally, for the first time in a very long time, that pressure in Lincoln doesn’t weigh on them. It feels like faith.
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