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Matt Rhule shares Dylan Raiola story that will make Nebraska fans love him even more

In the world of college sports now, it is easy to go to the No. 1 team, but Dylan Raiola chose to go to a rebuilding team and learn how to deal with adversity.
ByEricka Brockish|
Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) walks off as fans rush the field after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) walks off as fans rush the field after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

In college sports now, athletes definitely have it easier than those of the past. If a student athlete doesn't like where they are, or isn't getting the playing time they want, they can just easily transfer, whereas if you did that in the past, you had to sit out for a season. For Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, he chose to do the hard work and stick with a team that struggled, but has a bright future on the horizon.

When picking where he wanted to play his college career, the former 5-star quarterback could have picked a top team like Ohio State or Georgia, but instead, he picked the Cornhuskers, a team in the middle of a rebuild. Some thought Raiola was crazy, but head coach Matt Rhule issued a challenge to Raiola in his recruitment.

"When you are a five-star quarterback, you probably haven't had a lot of tough days," Rhule said. "You've probably gone out there and thrown for 400 yards most games, you've probably run through the competition...I told him you should come to Nebraska and help rebuild Nebraska."

Rhule didn't want to sugarcoat it to Raiola; he knew the state of the program and what needed to be done and knew it wasn't going to be easy for the young quarterback. Rhule went so far as to say that, yeah, going to a top school in the country may seem nice, but the career is almost too easy, and then you are drafted to the worst NFL team and have to learn how to deal with adversity at the pro level.

Rhule makes a good point that players take the easy road in college, and when they deal with adversity at the professional level, they then crack under the pressure. Raiola is going to be a better quarterback going into the NFL now because he has dealt with the adversity at Nebraska.

Now heading into year two, Rhule has noticed a real change in the young quarterback and a maturity you typically don't see in young guys like himself. Fans are eager to see the changes that Raiola has made this offseason and what is to come in his second season.

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