Matt Rhule unpacks why Dylan Raiola won Nebraska’s starting quarterback job

Nebraska’s No. 1 quarterback got the news last among three.

Starter Dylan Raiola learned he’d take the first snap against UTEP as he walked off the practice field earlier this week, Husker coach Matt Rhule said on Friday. NU had just released a social media graphic announcing the news.

The No. 2 QB, Heinrich Haarberg, received the news first from Rhule, followed by Danny Kaelin. Rhule believes both could be NU’s starter and help the team win. Kaelin in particular had one strong week of training camp.

But Raiola “puts all the pieces in play” with his “elite arm strength” and command of the offense and the run-pass options within it.

“He understands all the run game checks, he understands the entire RPO game, he understands the situational football, and I think he’s really cleaned up his footwork in the pocket,” Rhule said. “Which was one of the big things.”

Raiola, who patterns his game after Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes, can throw on the run, off one foot and with various arm angles. A lot of young quarterbacks, Rhule said, can and want to do those things.

Nebraska wants Raiola to make throws “on platform,” too. That is, with the back foot driving the thrust of the pass and the lead foot — in this case, Raiola’s left foot, pointing toward the target for maximum accuracy.

“I showed Dylan about 60 reps of Tom Brady — and he’s on platform,” Rhule said. “So Dylan’s worked so hard at his pocket presence, and to me, once he cleared that hurdle, I saw how close the other guys were coming. I feel like (Dylan) is the starter, but Danny’s going to keep working and Heinrich’s going to keep working.”

Rhule said he doesn’t intend to “waste” Kaelin’s year unless the Bellevue West graduate is pressed into starting.

“If all the sudden we have a couple injuries and he’s the starting quarterback, we’re going to go win with Danny Kaelin,” Rhule said. “Make no mistake about it. But we’re not going to put him in to hand the ball off and burn a game.”