Just the second true freshman quarterback to start a Nebraska season opener since the 1940s, Dylan Raiola is the new face of Cornhuskers football.
But before he landed in Lincoln, he was a star at three different high schools.
Where Did Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola Play in High School?
Raiola began his prep career at Burleson High School in Texas (2020-21), moved to Chandler High School in Arizona (2022), and finished at Buford High School in Georgia (2023).
As a sophomore at Burleson, Raiola completed 65% of his passes for 3,341 yards and 32 touchdowns, adding another nine scores on the ground. His performance earned county and district Player of the Year honors and put him on the national recruiting radar.
To improve his standing and prove his mettle against stiffer competition, Raiola moved to QB pipeline Chandler, which has produced such talents as Bryce Perkins, Brett Hundley, and Mikey Keene.
The Georgia native led the Arizona powerhouse to the semifinals of the open division state playoffs after throwing for 2,435 yards and 22 TDs. Yet, he wasn’t done racking up the frequent flyer miles, opting to finish his high school career in his hometown.
Raiola brought his winning ways with him, powering Buford to an 11-2 record and the quarterfinals in the postseason. Although his 63% completion rate and 2,666 yards weren’t gaudy, he tossed 34 TDs against just one interception.
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.
Outside of being in his home state, Raiola’s ties to the program extend to a former star passer: Matthew Stafford. Stafford played with Raiola’s father, Dominic, for six seasons while with the Detroit Lions, where Dominic asked him to be Dylan’s godfather.
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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.
Dominic Raiola was the starting center for the Cornhuskers from 1997 to 2000, winning the national championship in his first year on campus. Yet, he saved his best for last, earning first-team All-American recognition and receiving the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center as a senior.
The connections don’t end there either, as Dylan’s uncle, Donovan, is Nebraska’s offensive line coach.
“I firmly believe that Nebraska is in my blood,” Raiola told ESPN after his commitment. “It’s a great opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. Nebraska is a special place.”
“I think it’ll mean a lot to bring it back,” he said of the school’s football legacy. “Just because of the legacy of so many great players that have walked through that locker room that’s been established there — to keep doing what they established. … Just the history of the Nebraska football program. It’s not just another program.”
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. If you squint, it’s easy to see — 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 thrown fuel on the fire, calling Raiola his “Lil Cuzzo” during the offseason and after the Nebraska QB threw a TD in Week 1.
Lil cuzzo!! 💪🏽🎯 https://t.co/PpjiPf2XVc
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) August 31, 2024
With high expectations and comparisons to one of the game’s all-time greats weighing on him, Raiola could easily crumble under the pressure. But his commitment and readiness to meet these lofty standards are clear, and he’s ready to make his mark and redefine the future of Cornhuskers football.
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