Nebraska found right partner for Dylan Raiola and it changes everything, says analyst

Coming into the 2025 season, big things are expected of new Nebraska football captain and second-year starter Dylan Raiola. One of the big reasons why so many people expect so much from the sophomore QB is because of getting to really get to know and work under offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.

Holgorsen was brought in as an analyst and then promoted to offensive coordinator late in the 2024 season after things became untenable for former OC Marcus Satterfield. While the offense improved some after the ex-West Virginia and Houston head coach took over, it's expected to improve even more now that he can really install his offense. National analyst J.D. PicKell especially thinks that a Holgorsen and Raiola teammup will mean big growth for the talented gunslinger.

Dana Holgorsen could elevate Dylan Raiola's game for Nebraska football in Year 2

"When Dylan Raiola was playing quarterback for Dana Holgerson running the show," the analyst said about Nebraska football's final few games of last season. "In an offense that wasn't even really Dana Holgerson's verbiage or system or all that, he completed 72% of his passes."

PicKell then went on to compare Raiola to one former player who worked under the tutelage of Holgorsen.

"Clayton Tune? Over at Houston, was a three-star prospect. Dana Holgerson had him top 25 nationally as a passer. Three straight years at Houston."

"I'm not saying Clayton Tune wasn't good in his own right, but the raw ingredients that Dylan Raiola has are very, very different than what Clayton Toon had. So if Dana Holgerson can do that with Clayton Tune at Houston, what's he going to do with Dylan Raiola at Nebraska?"

For those not aware, Tune threw for 11,996 yards with 104 touchdowns and just 41 touchdowns from 2018 to 2022 with the Cougars.

"In another, year starting at the Big Ten level. In a system where you beefed up that offense," PicKell continued. "Quite frankly, a good bit via the portal. Got a little help on the offensive line. Rocco Spindler, Elijah Pritchett, Dane Key from Kentucky. They have done a lot around Dylan Royola to make it to where at Nebraska offensively, this year, it should be about Dylan Raiola."

"Like you're not having to solve for all these other deficiencies and then say, 'Raiola, can you make up for that?' I think this year you're saying, 'Raiola, we built a lot around you.' Now you go make the difference."

Should Dylan Raiola and Dana Holgorsen put it all together, it could be a huge year for the Nebraska football team.