Since starting his career with the Nebraska football team, Dylan Raiola has been a rather divisive figure. Some people like to claim he was overhyped coming out of high school. Others focus far too much on his similarities (real or imagined) to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. And then there are people like Huskers' head coach Matt Rhule, who think Raiola has just hit the tip of the iceberg and will only get better.
Rhule's latest effusive comments about Raiola came during a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee show, something that's become a regular occurrence. The coach's mic drop came when he was asked how he's feeling about his QB1 these days. Rhule responded at first that he "loves" it before talking about how Raiola might be underhyped.
Why Dylan Raiola’s growth has Nebraska football buzzing in 2025
"I think he's so underappreciated nationally," the Nebraska football coach said before admitting Raiola still needs to prove it to people outside the program.
"He's so underappreciated nationally. ... [Dylan Raiola] is doing everything you're going to do on Sundays. I think he's one of the best players in the country."
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 11, 2025
—Nebraska HC Matt Rhule on QB Dylan Raiola 👀 pic.twitter.com/hOid9qpUeY
"But, you know, we'll have to do it in the Big Ten. But I think as time goes on, he's throwing the ball from under center. He's throwing the ball from the gun. I mean, he's doing everything you're going to do on Sundays. I think he's one of the best players in the country."
Rhule also pointed out he's seen real growth from Raiola's freshman season to his sophomore start.
"He made some crazy throws, some throws that you're like, 'No, no, no.' Oh, yes. All right, cool. And so that was kind of the storyline. Like, hey, look at these exotic plays."
"But now it's like he's playing quarterback. The way you need to play it. He's getting the ball to the right guys. We completed balls to 14 different people this game. So it's not like, 'Hey, we're just throwing it to one guy.'"
The Nebraska football coach also gave a little bit of a preview for what might be on display against Houston Christian: "And now we'll have a chance on Saturday to try to, going back to the other point, do some things maybe we haven't done as well. Push the ball down the field, some no huddle. We'll see how the game plays out."