Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola draws praise from Pro Day receivers

Anthony Grant and Josh Fleeks were fine with their sprint times. Billy Kemp called his workout satisfying.

One thing all three former Nebraska players had in common at Wednesday’s Pro Day: They were happy to have a former five-star quarterback prospect throwing them footballs.

Dylan Raiola mingled for much of the morning among a crowd of teammates and coaches on the Hawks Championship Center turf as players five and six years older than him went through various drills while NFL scouts representing nearly 30 franchises looked on.

Then Raiola — who enrolled in classes in January — walked to the northwest corner of the field to warm up his right arm as spectators and media members took notice. A few tosses of the football to himself before seemingly effortless flicks 45 yards downfield to NU wideouts Malachi Coleman and Jaylen Lloyd.

Raiola’s ability has been well chronicled throughout his recruiting process. Wednesday was his first public exposure working in Nebraska gear in an official Nebraska setting before team spring practices begin next week.

Finally, showtime. Raiola and fellow frosh scholarship newcomer Daniel Kaelin took turns delivering balls to receivers on a variety of short, intermediate and deep routes with perhaps only an overthrow or two apiece.

“They did great,” said Fleeks, who hadn’t caught passes from either QB before. “The future’s going to be bright for them for sure. It felt good catching the ball. It was where it was supposed to be.”

Grant called it “pretty cool” to see firsthand the arm strength of Raiola even on quick releases.

“He’s a really, really good player,” Grant said. “… A person of his caliber throwing the ball to me, it was pretty good.”

Kemp — the only full-time receiver working out who made 227 career college grabs at Virginia and Nebraska — said both freshman quarterbacks made him look better while allowing him to showcase his route-running and catching abilities.

Kemp arrived back on campus Sunday and did some throwing with Raiola for the first time Monday.

“We completed most of our passes today,” Kemp said. “Thankful for him. Thankful that he’s a good quarterback that’s very accurate with his passes, has good arm strength. Thankful that he came in and was able to help me out today.”

Rule changes made in 2018 allow college teams to have a limited number of underclassmen participate in Pro Days to help with workouts. Perhaps the most high-profile example was former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, who threw to receivers in the spring of 2022 and a year later became the No. 2 overall pick.

Asked about Raiola specifically during a brief chat with media members Wednesday, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said the freshman threw because his schedule allowed for it and he wanted to help former Huskers take their best shot at the NFL.

“I think that’s one of the things that really hurts the players is they’re trying to do Pro Day and they don’t have a quarterback — maybe they have a (graduate assistant),” Rhule said. “I think we’re just looking at who had class, who was available. Dylan was available so I’m excited for him to have a chance to throw. Really it’s more about our other guys having a ball that’s there that they can trust.”