Dyan Raiola and Nebraska are going through a divorce. Most of the time it’s an ugly process. But in this case, everything remains copacetic. Although, there weren’t any goodbye poems from Raiola with his departure. I believe it was a mutual agreement between the two parties, with Nebraska not being the vehicle the Raiola’s are looking for and Dylan not living up to his pay scale.
The question now is, as a Husker fan, which side of the fence do you fall on. In most divorces it’s human nature for an individual to take sides. I’m not saying it’s right, it’s just how things work. Are you wishing Dylan well on his new endeavor or are you putting him in a corner with Scott Frost and Trev Alberts?
Before I share my thoughts let me be clear on something. I’ve heard several media members who cover Husker football criticize the fans for voicing their opinions on this. They often say that the fans don’t fully know the situation so it would be best for them to just keep their mouths shut.
Newsflash, that’s not how fandom works. And it’s a bad take on their part because they make their living off the fans. Plus, they do have inside information. And unlike me, they walk a fine line with everyone at the University to keep that privilege. Part of why I started ‘Off the Cob’ was so that I could voice what nobody else would. I applaud Adam Carriker for giving me that opportunity.
Every time I write an article it’s a risk for Adam. There is a possibility of me upsetting his followers or supporters to the point of him being forced to drop me from his website. I’m not looking to cross that line, but I am going to share my thoughts and feelings as a Husker fan because I don’t have the inside story. And let’s face it, nobody is going to give it to us. So, like all of you, I’m left to my own views. So, here they are.
It’s not unfair to say Dylan Raiola’s time at Nebraska was disappointing. Some will be quick to argue that take. But we never witnessed the five-star hype that came with him. If you compare him to freshman QBs in 2025 like Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Maryland’s Malik Washington, BYU’s Bear Bachmeier, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Norte Dame’s CJ Carr, Raiola’s numbers are average at best. Take a look.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele – 3,117 yards, 63.6%, 17 TDs, 9 INTs, -135 yards rushing, 3 TDs
Malik Washington – 2,963 yards, 57.7%, 17 TDs, 9 INTs, 303 yards rushing, 4 TDs
Bear Bachmeier – 2,708 yards, 64.2%, 14 TDs, 6 INTs, 527 yards rushing, 11 TDs
Julian Sayin – 3,323 yards, 78.4%, 31 TDs, 6 INTs, -2 yards rushing, 0 TDs
CJ Carr – 2,741 yards, 66.6%, 24 TDs, 6 INTs, 33 yards rushing, 3 TDs
2024 Dylan Raiola – 2,819 yards, 67.1%, 13 TDs, 11 INTS, -65 yards rushing, 0 TDs
2025 Dylan Raiola – 2,000 yards, 72.4%, 18 TDs, 6 INTs, -87 yards rushing, 0 TDs
The five quarterbacks I listed are all in their first year as starters. Raiola has had the benefit of two years, and in fairness to him I listed both of his seasons. However, in in his second year, an eight and half-game sample, his numbers still wouldn’t have exceeded 3,300 yards and 30 TDs if he played a full twelve games. Some of you will point to the talent around him, but we’re talking about Cal and Maryland on a couple of the guys listed above. And don’t tell me it’s the system either. System or not, Raiola wasn’t a game changer. Nobody has ever described him as someone who tilts the field when he steps onto it. He doesn’t have that kind of ability. You may believe otherwise, but let’s wait and see where he lands.
In my opinion he is overrated. As Husker fans where we make our mistake is comparing him to the QB’s we had before his arrival. The 2023 season output of Sims, Haarberg, and Purdy would make anyone shine. He looked great compared to them, but outside Nebraska, nothing super special.
So, are you one of the people who think Raiola was going to get better in year three? If we base what we saw in his first two seasons, yes, he improved in year two. But not enough to make you believe there would be a substantial jump in year three. No matter what happened he wasn’t going to be able to shake the concrete from his feet. He wasn’t going to suddenly become more athletic and mobile. He’ll never be a dual threat quarterback. In fact, there is question he can become an effective scrambler at all. And while he has arm talent, we’ve never seen him make all the throws. Too much touch, not enough zip.
The real red flag for me was an interview he did when he first arrived. Someone from the media asked him about playing youth football and he said he didn’t play because he didn’t like getting hit. Then he added he still didn’t. Wrong answer for a football player, even a quarterback. It may have been me, but after hearing that I thought I could see it on the field. It’s part of why he never developed the ability to run. So, wherever he lands, they need to realize what they are getting and that he’s far from a finished product.
If I go back and look, I think I wrote when he announced he was coming to Nebraska that Danny Kaelin should stick around because Dylan would never be here for three years. Jumping around is who he is, we all saw the pattern coming in. Was his leaving due to the firing of Uncle Donnie? Maybe a little. But I believe it was more Nebraska’s 2026 schedule and being overpaid. With Indiana, Ohio State, Washington, Illinois, Iowa, and Oregon on the schedule Nebraska will have to work their tails off to finish 6-6. Raiola couldn’t get them to seven wins before UCLA, Penn State, and Iowa in 2025. Going 6-6 in 2026 would have reflected poorly on Dylan, he couldn’t let that happen.
I wasn’t upset when his brother Dayton decommitted, and I was almost joyous when Donavan was let go. So no, Dylan’s departure doesn’t bother me. Could Nebraska take a step backward without him? Possibly, but it’s more about retaining the receivers on this roster, putting together an effective offensive line, and finding the right QB to fit Holgorsen’s offense.
There is a reason Matt Rhule said early on he wasn’t fond of legacy players. It’s a lose-lose situation with few good outcomes. Dylan stepped in at a time when he was needed and helped the program become bowl eligible. So, you must appreciate that. But it’s disappointing he wasn’t 100% all ‘N’, especially when there are in-state players who would die for the opportunity to be a Husker and are no longer afforded that opportunity.
No matter how you feel about his time at Nebraska, there is no wrong answer. He’ll be loved by some because of who he is and for what he did for the Huskers. He’ll be hated by others for chasing fame and money rather than staying dedicated to the school he claimed to love. But in the end, Raiola’s departure is what’s best for everyone. Including the fans.
GO BIG RED!!
All photos are courtesy of The Falls City Journal
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