Dylan Raiola is entering his crucial second year at the Huskers. The freshman QB led Nebraska to a bowl game victory, started all 13 games, and developed a deep grasp of the team’s top-tier offense. Specifically, during the last four of those games, Raiola looked a lot better and in control. Thanks to the elite hiring of offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. The new OC of the Huskers has already been in awe of the crown jewel in Matt Rhule’s squad. He said Raiola is one of a kind of QB in a generation who is equally good in the gun and a drop-back passer in the pocket. But to be more minute, there have been areas that called for harsh scrutiny. However, things are changing for the better, but only if Raiola nails a challenge.

Leading up to the 2025 season, Dylan Raiola needs to take that leap, not only to be good or extremely good but to be the best QB in the college football periphery. Well, that process is underway. Raiola doubled his gym sessions in this off-season. His weight has been a major critical point, especially after coach Matt Rhule remarked he can’t be great at 240 pounds. But Raiola is the last guy to bypass a challenge. He took it up, soaked in it. He is actively shedding weight and acquiring more and more knowledge.

Breaking down his transition into the main guy era, Steve Sipple of the Huskers’ online said, ”Quarterback Dylan Raiola is taking charge of this offense and you really sense that just by his off-season. First of all, I did find it fascinating to sip that he completely stepped away from all elements of football for three weeks after the bowl game. Then just got out of it altogether. The journey to revive the pace was never easy. Raiola usually kicks off his day with a heavy boxing workout at six in the morning, lifts heavy weights, and then moves on to burn calories through high-intensity cardio workouts.

The rigorous discipline demands dead focus and persistence. But when it’s Raiola, it flows naturally. “I think that’s good for him. You don’t ever have to worry about him in terms of his focus when it’s time,” Sipple pointed out one great plus in the rousing QB’s resume. ”Dana Holgorsen said the words: he’s really focused hard on his body physically; he feels good. Dana said, ‘You guys know how it is, when your body’s better and you feel good, it gives you confidence, and you’re probably going to play a little better.’ So now what’s going on is they’re asking Dylan to take charge more.” That all sounds fair. But there is another bump on the road. As an 18-year-old who hasn’t stepped into a vocal leadership role, it will be a bit edgy at first.

Being the leader of the offense doesn’t only imply having athletic excellence but also having that control over the locker room. The vocal authority gives you that essence, which is badly needed to ‘take charge’ in that way.

”That was so much for him. I think to be 18, and we kind of treat him like he’s Russell Wilson. Well, and he handled it properly in the sense that he didn’t try to like take charge because he hadn’t done anything yet here. It would have been awkward, right, to have just somebody come in and start yelling at you and tell you what to do?” the Nebraska insider divulged the exact contradiction in the narratives.

But Raiola has earned his stripes. He was not flawless last year. Be it a bunch of wrong decisions, misplaced throws, or costly interceptions, he stuck to the field and won the test of time. He is certainly more mature. Now, Rhule has to shift his focus to the defense.

Matt Rhule may add another strong weapon to the defense

Dylan Raiola stands nine or ten pounds lighter than when he left. When Rhule publicly criticized his weight, it quite unsurprisingly didn’t bode well with the QB. He said the change was pretty slow, and he had to grind each day to come to this shape. However, Rhule said Raiola needs to take charge of their receiver corps before taking charge of the offense. Also, without a good defense, the holistic good output will remain a far-fetched hope.

The Huskers’ head coach’s portal activities clearly say that he is making no stone unturned to make the roster a balanced (offensive and defensive load) asset. On the March 28th episode of Wilson Dittman Sports’ breakdown of Nebraska’s recruiting moves, the analyst dropped some fresh intel about 300-lb David Bailey.

“The best player on Stanford’s roster in 2024 just entered the portal. Nebraska is expected to be interested,” Dittman revealed. Bailey’s versatility will be a prized addition to the Huskers’ defense. Swooping him would add a new layer of aggressiveness for sure. Now, we will see how the O-line and the defense will work together toward that lofty Natty dream of the Huskers down the road.