The Dylan Raiola effect on Nebraska football is more than just hopefully winning games with improved quarterback play. Since he first committed to the Huskers, there was lots of talk about the potential talent that might follow him to Lincoln.
This weekend, the Dylan Raiola effect could potentially manifest as the Cornhuskers strive to secure the top-ranked offensive line target for the 2025 class. The former 5-star quarterback prospect is hopeful that David Sanders' official visit will be a game-changer.
To be perfectly clear, the Nebraska football program is still very much the darkhorse in this race. However, that Sanders announced on Thursday that he is taking an official visit to the Huskers is a big deal. Even if Matt Rhule and company aren't able to land him, other recruits pay attention to where guys like Sanders are looking.
Peer recruiting is a nuanced process that goes beyond a simple "come play with me" approach. It often translates to "this school is a great option if you're not joining me." These implications are often understood without being explicitly stated.
Excited for my OFFICIAL VISIT this weekend! See you soon 🌽 pic.twitter.com/p5tNKsWMco
— David Sanders Jr. (@DavidLSandersJr) May 9, 2024
Sanders's visit, who is the number one offensive tackle in the class and the number two player overall, according to 247Sports, has long been considered a lean toward Clemson. But the Nebraska football team is the little engine that could in this scenario.
Rhule offered Sanders not long after he announced a March Top 6 of Alabama, South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, and Ohio State.
Georgia is where the relationship between Raiola and Sanders formed. The quarterback worked hard to get Sanders to commit to the Bulldogs when he himself had pledged to the powerhouse in Athens. Now, he's hoping to show Sanders that the Nebraska football program is the better choice.
The Dylan Raiola effect has manifested at least once for Nebraksa since he's been in Lincoln. When the Huskers landed running back Dante Dowdell from the transfer portal, the former Oregon Duck made it clear one big reason he looked towards Lincoln was because of who was under center.
It's a safe bet that David Sanders will hear about why Dowdell committed. He'll also hear about what the Nebraska football program is planning and how they expect to be back with the "big boys" in the sport.
There's zero chance this visit will lead to a commit but it's possible a foundation could get laid.