Since joining the Nebraska football team, transfer wide receiver Dane Key has made a substantial impact on his new teammates. Despite being one of the latest members of the Huskers, he earned one of the highest honors that head coach Matt Rhule can bestow on his players in a single-digit jersey.
Key has also demonstrated how he leads both on and off the field when he speaks. Either when he talks about his own game, or the guys he's playing alongside. That includes his quarterback, Dylan Raiola. Earlier this week, the former Kentucky standout met with the media, and he absolutely showered the Huskers' starting QB with praise.
How Dane Key’s leadership fits Matt Rhule’s Nebraska football culture
"Dylan's a special quarterback. He's one of the smartest quarterbacks I’ve played with," the Nebraska football wideout said. Among the things that have stood out to Key has been Raiola's command of the offense as just a sophomore.
"He knows what he's going to do, how he's going to do it, and where he's going to throw the football." A promising sign from the perceived No. 1 option, if these two can gel early, Nebraska's offense could be far more potent than it has been in years past.
Key didn't only praise Raiola, though. He also had strong words for his entire squad.
“People won’t expect how tight of a team this is," Key added. “The things coach Rhule had us do this offseason; I think it only made us a tighter team. Even if adversity hits, there’s so much we went through this offseason that built us for these moments."
Key joins the Nebraska football team coming off a career high of 47 catches for 715 yards in 2024 for Kentucky. He and his teammates are all hoping he can improve on those numbers and stand out as one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten in 2025.