
If not for their decisions to enroll early at Nebraska, quarterbacks Daniel Kaelin and Dylan Raiola would still be finishing up their senior year of high school.
Their youth may have been apparent when they first arrived on campus in January. But after several months of offseason work and now having gone through five collegiate practices, the early enrollee QBs are progressing.
“We were watching them two days ago (in) practice 4 completing a bunch of balls and you sit there and forget sometimes that it’s Dylan and Danny’s fourth practice in college going against these guys,” co-offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said.
While offseason workouts and mat drills helped prepare Raiola and Kaelin for the physical demands of spring ball, taking live-action practice reps has created an adjustment period. When going from the high school level to college, defenders become quicker and the windows quarterbacks throw into shrink accordingly.
People are also reading…
Alongside mastering the playbook, Raiola and Kaelin each said adjusting to the speed of the game has posed a challenge so far this spring.
Nebraska quarterback Daniel Kaelin speaks during a news conference on Thursday, April 4.
“The speed is different and I definitely noticed that right off the bat,” Kaelin said. “It’s been cool to go through practices and I feel like every practice I can feel (myself) starting to get ingrained into it and get with the speed of the guys that have already been here.”
The more reps a player gets, the faster that learning process can occur — and that’s exactly why the Huskers have implemented the “Nebraska Spring League.” When the NU roster divides into three different teams during portions of its practice — the Bugeaters, Old Gold Knights and Rattlesnake Boys — both Raiola and Kaelin lead their offenses into 11-on-11 scrimmage action.
Because the action takes place simultaneously across Nebraska’s three practice fields, Satterfield said the freshmen are “ahead of schedule.” Quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas estimated that Raiola and Kaelin have each received 100 to 150 reps across the first five practices of the spring.
“It’s a lot of fun; you just want to play football,” Raiola said.
Developing as leaders is another key goal this spring for the freshmen quarterbacks, and Raiola wasted no time complimenting the offensive teammates he’s relied upon so far. Raiola said his offensive line excels at setting protections and his wide receivers “take the pressure off.”
Because of Nebraska’s three-team setup, the freshmen quarterbacks have become very familiar with the receivers they’ve spent the most time throwing to. For Kaelin, that’s redshirt freshman Jaidyn Doss and senior Isaiah Neyor, while Raiola identified sophomore Jaylen Lloyd and redshirt freshman Demitrius Bell as his top targets this spring.
Developing chemistry with every pass-catcher on the roster will take time — Nebraska has 17 receivers on its roster with only 11 going through the Spring League — but the scrimmage efforts have provided a strong foundation.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola speaks during a news conference on Thursday, April 4.
“I just try to take it day by day,” Raiola said of his goals for the spring. “… I don’t try to think too far ahead, I want to get the connection down with the guys and really just be around them. Get to know them and get comfortable with them, that’s the main focus.”
In addition to their on-field development, Raiola and Kaelin have been active learners in the meeting room according to Thomas. Because of Nebraska’s defensive system, which routinely disguises its coverages, Thomas said the quarterbacks could be stuck running a play that may not be a good fit against that specific defensive setup.
That challenge is a positive one, though, especially when the quarterbacks return to the film room afterward. Seeing the corrections they need to make and then implementing them in practice is the next step of the growth process according to Thomas.
“They’re coachable and they’re open to learning, (which) I think is the first step of getting better,” Thomas said.
Developing a full knowledge of the playbook and being able to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage will take time, but Kaelin is already feeling the benefits of the spring.
“Before I got here to now I’m a completely different player as far as knowledge of the game of football, and a lot of that’s come from coach Thomas,” he said.
A quarterback competition may be ongoing from now through the fall, but it comes with an atmosphere of togetherness according to Nebraska’s early enrollees. With five practices in the books and 10 more to go this spring, the competition — and the growth that comes from it — is far from over.
“We’ve all gotten a ton of reps this spring so far, so it’s been good to see what one guy’s doing and not only learn from each other and help each other, but also compete and try to do better than the guy next to you,” Kaelin said.
Photos: Nebraska football spring practice, March 28
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference after practice on Thursday at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska Offensive Line coach Donovan Raiola runs players through drills during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Jacob Bower is tackled by Gage Stenger during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Bryce Benhart (center) wears a Guardian Cap during practice on Thursday at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Tony White instructs players during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Cayden Echternach is seen during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ismael Smith Flores makes a catch during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Jack Woche throws a pass during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Jahmal Banks loses control of catch during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Keelan Smith makes a catch during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska football players wear Guardian Caps during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ian Flynt makes a catch during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Injured players run through drills during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Thomas Fidone runs after making a catch during practice on Thursday at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Marcus Satterfield gives instruction during practice Thursday at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola throws a pass during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg throws a pass during practice on Thursday at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Luke Longval throws a pass during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola throws a pass during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Malachi Coleman makes a catch during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor makes a catch during practice on Thursday at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Tony White gives instructions during a football practice at the Hawks Championship Center, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska defensive linemen prepare for a drill at practice last week at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule is shown during a spring practice last week at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Conor Connealy runs a drill during a football practice on Thursday at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Daniel Kaelin throws a pass during practice on Thursday at the Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola throws a pass during a practice on Thursday at the Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg throws a pass during practice on March 28 at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Must See
-
Football
/ 4 months agoHuskers Fight Hard but Fall Short Against UCLA
LINCOLN – The Nebraska Cornhuskers gave it their all on Saturday, with standout efforts...
-
Football
/ 4 months agoGAMEDAY: Nebraska Set to Face Undefeated Indiana in Key Big Ten Showdown
Bloomington, IN – It’s Game Day, Husker Nation! Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) returns...
-
Football
/ 5 months agoBlackshirts Shine as Nebraska Tops Rutgers 14-7 on Homecoming
Lincoln, NE – Nebraska’s Blackshirt defense played a starring role in the Huskers’ 14-7...
By Chris
You must be logged in to post a comment Login