Dylan Raiola made headlines this week by firmly rejecting the “easy way out” through the transfer portal, opting instead to continue his development at Nebraska under coach Matt Rhule. That declaration resonated across college football, signaling both loyalty and determination from the former five‑star recruit.
💬 Speaking on The Jim Rome Show, Rhule revealed that Raiola “could have taken the easy way out and left and gone into the portal and gone to someplace where he doesn’t have to do as much himself.” Despite that temptation, Rhule says, “He chose to stick it out and fight. He came back and I’ve been excited to see where he’s at” .
Raiola’s freshman season was a rollercoaster. He entered as a rare power‑conference true freshman starter and began strong—winning five of his first six starts with nine touchdowns and three interceptions on 169 passing attempts as the Huskers charged forward . But October brought a challenging slump: Nebraska dropped four straight games before rallying to close the season on a high note. Raiola completed 72 percent of his passes in the final stretch, including a victory in the Pinstripe Bowl, helping end Nebraska’s eight‑year bowl drought .
Rhule emphasized that growth was more than just on the stat sheet. He noted that leading a program with Nebraska’s history comes with “the weight and pressure of an entire fanbase – of an entire state… Learning how to handle the frustrating moments,” and that Raiola handled it “really well” through the highs and lows .
This decision to stay can’t be understated. The Huskers’ 7–6 record and bowl appearance—while modest by Nebraska’s lofty standards—still marked meaningful progress for the Rhule-led rebuild . The renewed offensive staff featuring Dana Holgorsen and a strong transfer portal haul (ranked No. 13 nationally) have boosted expectations . While FanDuel set their over/under win total at 7.5 games for the 2025 season, the Huskers have cleared that mark just once in the last decade .
But with Raiola returning, so does continuity at quarterback—perhaps Nebraska’s most important retention. Rhule praised Raiola’s physical preparedness, noting he’s in “tremendous shape” and well-versed in the playbook. Still, the coach identified mental toughness and leadership as growth areas—and he expects maturity in those domains to “come really easy to him” .
From a strategic standpoint, Raiola’s return is significant. Maintaining a young core—including quarterback, coordinator, and key transfers—sets the stage for execution consistency into Year 2 of Rhule’s blueprint. With more experience and leadership from Raiola, Nebraska fans have reason for cautious optimism.
In conclusion, Dylan Raiola’s decision to stay at Nebraska reflects more than just loyalty—it signals maturity, resilience, and belief in the long-term vision. He overcame freshman growing pains, embraced the spotlight, and chose development over escape. If he channels that progress into stronger leadership and sustained performance, this could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Nebraska’s football resurgence. The “easy way” might be appealing, but Raiola chose the hard path—and that alone is worth watching.
