Almost since Dylan Raiola arrived on campus, he’s been a focal point of attention from fans and national talking heads alike. The Nebraska football quarterback is coming off a freshman season that saw him throw for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 67% of his passes. He also led the Huskers to their first bowl game win in a decade.
Most people would call that a successful true freshman season. Pete Thamel is not among them. However, the Cornhuskers quarterback had an unexpected ally in a recent discussion between Thamel and ESPN personality Pat McAfee.
Pat McAfee backs Dylan Raiola amid freshman QB debate
Thamel noted Raiola as an example of true freshman quarterbacks not necessarily leading to success on an episode of the Pat McAfee show and the host definitely did not agree, eventually going so far as to say that the Nebraska quarterback is “going to be a star.”
“I’m high on the Nebraska Cornhuskers after getting a chance to meet these boys and chit chat with them one-on-one,” McAfee replied. “That Dylan kid was, it was great. Like, he was, I enjoyed the way he was operating. Like, I enjoyed, he just has like a star kind of vibe about him. I think Dylan Raiola is going to be a star next year. Freshman last year? (Thamel) said, straight up, didn’t do well. Guys playing for Nebraska as a freshman!”
McAfee is hardly the only one who is high on Raiola these days. His own coach has said the gunslinger is “10 steps ahead” of where he was last year.
There are some big expectations for Dylan Raiola as he leads what’s expected to be a much-improved Nebraska football teamin 2025.