If there is one player that Nebraska fans are the most excited to watch this season, it is the same player they were ecstatic about last season, and that is Dylan Raiola.
Last season, Raiola was the new 5-star quarterback that fans hoped would lead them back to the promised land of the National Championship, or at least to the College Football Playoff, but now he is the returning QB that has matured and truly has the ability to take this team to new heights this season.
During media availability in fall camp, both his fellow teammates and coaches have raved about Raiola's improvement this offseason and what he is showing in practices. It has been said that he is reading the field and the opposing defense better, and has even improved in adjusting the offensive line more pre-snap.
Raiola's few of the field both pre-snap and during the play had certainly gotten better, which is good, as his touchdown to turnover ratio last season was 13:11, which was not what Nebraska's offense needed.
"He's taken a massive leap in how he sees the field from last year to this year," Nebraska offensive lineman Tyler Knaak said. "He's helping us make protection calls, he can see stuff that we don't sometimes with how the safeties rotate."
"He's taken a massive leap"
— Chase Matteson (@ChaseMatteson) August 9, 2025
Dylan Raiola has received high-praise from his teammates and coaches this Fall Camp.
The #Huskers Sophomore QB is reading the field better and adjusting the line more pre-snap.(@1011_News) pic.twitter.com/FgS5Puek4l
Raiola's steps forward this season are crucial to Nebraska's success, as the offense was a big problem for the Cornhuskers in 2024. While the defense could also have been better, if the offense can't produce, then the defense is working for nothing, just ask the 2024 Michigan Wolverines.
Raiola's better ability to read the field will hopefully lead to fewer turnovers, more time of possession for the Cornhuskers, and all in all, more touchdowns on offense. Taking pressure off the defense will help this Nebraska team immensely and also help Matt Rhule continue his "things always take off in Year 3" pattern.
Nebraska has the chance to surprise a lot of people this season, especially other teams in the Big Ten, and an appearance in the College Football Playoff could really show how far Rhule and Raiola have brought this program over the past couple of seasons.