Dylan Raiola became just the second true freshman quarterback to start a Nebraska Cornhuskers season opener since the 1940s. And he is well on his way to becoming the program’s highest-drafted signal-caller ever.
When Is Dylan Raiola Draft-Eligible?
To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be removed from high school for at least three years. As a result, Raiola, who is a true freshman, won’t be eligible for the annual selection event until the 2027 cycle.
Despite barely concluding his first collegiate campaign, Raiola is already one of the most traveled players in the country. He began his prep career at Burleson High School in Texas (2020-21, under head coach Jon Kitna), moved to Chandler High School in Arizona (2022), and finished at Buford High School in Georgia (2023).
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Moving high schools was only part of Raiola’s transfer portal practice, as he also flipped his commitment multiple times. As a consensus five-star QB in the 2024 class, he had no shortage of suitors.
In May 2022, Raiola committed to Ohio State. But that December, he decided to reopen his recruitment. One year after pledging his allegiance to the Buckeyes, Raiola announced that Georgia would be his collegiate home.
Beyond playing in his home state, Dylan Raiola’s connection to the program runs deep, thanks to a unique bond with former No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford. Stafford spent six seasons as a teammate of Dylan’s father, Dominic Raiola, with the Detroit Lions. During that time, Dominic asked Stafford to be Dylan’s godfather, cementing a meaningful family connection.
However, those ties weren’t strong enough, as just seven months later, the younger Raiola decommitted from Georgia and officially signed with Nebraska, his father’s alma mater.
Raiola already had thousands of eyes on him as one of the highest-rated recruits in Nebraska history, but he has also drawn comparisons to three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes — something he hasn’t shied away from. From the clothing style and curly hair to wearing the No. 15, the two share a lot of similarities.
Any time you are compared to a living legend, especially one playing the same sport and the same position as you, it’s both a tremendous compliment and a significant challenge to live up to. Nevertheless, Raiola leaned into it, going so far as to work out with Mahomes’ trainer, Bobby Stroupe.
“I just want to be around greatness,” Raiola said of Mahomes. “Obviously, he’s going down as one of the greats already. But just trying to take it all in and elevate my game as much as I can. … I’ll go work with Pat and Bobby. I’m just trying to up my game and be around great people.”
Mahomes has also added fuel to the fire, calling Raiola his “Lil Cuzzo” during the offseason and after the Nebraska QB threw a TD in Week 1.
How High Could Raiola Be Drafted?
The Cornhuskers’ highest-drafted passer was Jerry Tagge in 1972 (11th overall). Raiola is going to change that.
The 6’3″, 230-pound QB’s debut campaign was filled with ups and downs — not all of them due to his play. After beginning the year 4-1, Nebraska fell into a hole it couldn’t crawl out of, going 2-5 to end the regular season.
As the starting QB, Raiola struggled as well, tossing three touchdowns to eight interceptions over that span.
Head coach Matt Rhule replaced second-year offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield with former Houston and West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen, who called the last games fresh off the couch.
Still, Raiola finished the regular season with a 66.6% completion rate, 2,595 yards, 12 TDs, and 10 INTs, and he enters the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl against the Boston College Eagles just 23 passing yards away from setting the program’s freshman record.
But it’s the tape that should have draft analysts — and fans who could have a high first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft — excited the most.
KEEP READING: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
Raiola is by no means a flawless prospect. He fades unnecessarily in the pocket at times, putting pressure on his tackles around the arc. He needs to put more heat on routes coming toward the line of scrimmage or across it (comebacks, slants, digs, etc.) rather than leaving too much air under the ball, allowing defenders to make a play.
There are also minute details about his footwork (which can get clunky at the top of the drop) and release (a tad elongated) that could use some refinement. And, like with any young QB, he has to let some plays die and simply take the check down rather than forcing passes downfield.
However, even as he is currently, I’d take Raiola above other 2025 NFL Draft QBs such as Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart, and, depending on the situation, Shedeur Sanders.
Sure, the 2025 class is nearly has competitive as last year’s, but 2027’s could be in a similar position.
DJ Lagway, CJ Bailey, and Marcel Reed joined Raiola as freshman starters this year, but none started as many games. Lagway has the inside path to becoming a first-rounder at Florida due to his high-upside physical traits, but we need to see more as a passer.
As far as veterans who could enter their names in the class, Sam Leavitt, Josh Hoover, Devon Dampier, Nico Iamaleava, and Avery Johnson could battle for a top spot in the rankings.
Heck, even Julian Sayin, the No. 3 QB in the 2024 recruiting class, could play his way into contention at Ohio State.
But my money’s on Raiola cementing his status as the QB1 with another couple of seasons as Nebraska’s starter.
Just look at the positives on Raiola’s way-too-early scouting report:
- Middle-of-the-field merchant able to throw over and around LBs.
- Elite touch on deep balls, able to unleash Russell Wilson “moon balls” consistently.
- Can layer passers over defenders in zone coverage with ease.
- Wasn’t protected by play action, screens, or RPOs at the rates of other QBs.
- Has every arm angle in his arsenal.
- Vision outside of the pocket and on the move mirror Mahomes.
- Fearless in the face of pressure.
- Has enough athleticism to burn man coverage and escape the pocket when needed.
- Routinly puts throws outside of the hashes only where his WRs can get the ball.
- Effortless thrower with easy velocity generation.
- Quick release despite longer wind-up style, ball explodes out of his hand.
- Offense is a thing of beauty when drops time up with routes.
No, Raiola is not “the next Mahomes.” But after spending time with his tape, you’ll understand why the comp is thrown around — and it’s not just because of the similar aesthetic.
Raiola is a future first-round pick who could challenge for the No. 1 overall billing come the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s a lofty expectation for a 19-year-old, but Raiola has already shown he has the tools, mental make-up, and work ethic to meet it.
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