Nebraska football names QB Dylan Raiola Week 1 starter

Perhaps the biggest mystery in recent weeks had been how and when the Huskers would unveil the former five-star prospect as QB1 for the Aug. 31 season opener. The answers came Tuesday morning in a simple post from the team’s social media account paired with a picture of the green-jerseyed No. 15 throwing a football.

“Dylan Raiola will start at quarterback for the Huskers vs. UTEP,” read the message, sent at 10:38 a.m.

Nebraska players and coaches have been intentional in talking about the quarterback competition throughout the offseason. Any questions specifically about Raiola were usually answered with thoughts about the position group in general. The Huskers also have eight-game 2023 starter Heinrich Haarberg and true freshman Daniel Kaelin at the ready along with summer addition and former longtime NAIA starter Jalyn Gramstad.

Still, Raiola clearly impressed internally throughout the offseason. Quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas has noted his poise and command of the offense. Coach Matt Rhule said earlier this month he would be comfortable winning games right away with the true freshman.

“He’s just really mature for his age,” NU senior receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda said. “He’s a young guy, obviously, but he’s way ahead of his time, in my opinion. His football IQ is excellent. He’s real natural. It’s not like he’s forcing things out there on the field. He prepares, he puts the work in beforehand. He goes out there and you can tell he has a sense of confidence.”

Raiola is a national storyline before he starts a game. He drew August comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs superstar QB Patrick Mahomes — both wear No. 15 and share similar qualities, from their arm strength to sunglasses choice and hairstyle. Raiola trained with the multi-time Super Bowl champion in the summer.

The son of former Husker All-American and longtime NFL center Dominic Raiola said earlier this month he’s been intentional about staying grounded and team-focused. That challenge just heightened with a new appointment as Nebraska’s first true freshman to start an opener at quarterback since Adrian Martinez in 2018.

“I think our team is going to be really good this year but we’ve just got to keep working on getting better every day,” Raiola said. “I know it’s cliché to say but that’s honestly our focal point. We can’t get to Aug. 31 right now. There’s a process and there’s steps that have to be taken. We’re just super invested in that right now and nothing is really going to skew us off of that.”