Because Dylan Raiola committed to Ohio State and then Georgia before finally landing with the program he wanted to be with all along in Nebraska football, some fans demonstrating sour grapes tried to label him a prima donna. Someone who would bring drama to the Huskers during his time in Lincoln.
As it turns out, the “haters” have been universally wrong about that. While Raiola has racked up plenty of headlines and plenty of attention (both positive and negative), the soon-to-be sophomore has only been looked at as a leader. He’s said and done all the right things. That includes squashing any sort of rumor that he might be on his way out of town in search of a bigger NIL bag when that talk surfaced this winter.
Contrast the Nebraska football quarterback with what’s going on in Tennessee today between Nico Iamaleava and the Vols. The man who led the SEC school to the playoffs this past season is apparently “holding out.”
Nico Iamaleava Last Season (13 Games):
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) April 11, 2025
• 201 Pass YPG (76th)
• 63.8% Comp. (43rd
• 19 Pass TDs (42nd)
• 70.5 QBR (36th)
Reports say his camp wants his NIL deal upped to $4M 💵 pic.twitter.com/wJQtj9oCqY
There is some disagreement about what exactly is going on in Knoxville, especially considering that Iamaleava father went on social media on Thursday night and personally attacked Pete Nakos after the On3 reporter wrote a story about the situation. The elder Iamaleava claimed there was no NIL fight between his son and Tennessee. And then Nico didn’t show up for practice on Friday.
In fact, according to Andy Staples the two sides did not talk at all on Friday. That despite the Volunteers have their spring game on Saturday. Imagine if something similar was going on with the Nebraska football program and their star quarterback.
It’s safe to say people ould not be happy with either Raiola or the coaching staff. It would be a mess. Especially if you’re talking about a program that went to the playoffs in 2024. Sure they got blown out by the eventual National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes, but the expectations were that the Vols were getting ready to reload and try again.
But that’s not going on in Lincoln. The Nebraska football program is just going through its spring practice knowing that Dylan Raiola has been a rock since he got to Lincoln and will continue to do so.