As Matt Rhule‘s Nebraska charges into 2025, one question looms large—who’s running the show? Dylan Raiola was the face of the offense last season, leading the Huskers to a 7-6 record and their first bowl win in nearly a decade. As a true freshman, he stepped up, delivered, and owned the moment. But now? The pressure is on. ESPN’s David Pollack summed it up: “Raiola, obviously, is the big story in this offense.” But is he the only story? Not anymore. With fresh talent pushing for a shot, Raiola’s grip on QB1 might not be as firm as it once was.

In a recent YouTube video from Wilson Dittman Sports, the host dropped a bombshell—an 8,000-yard star is coming for Dylan Raiola’s throne. That name? Marcos Davila. The CFB insider didn’t hold back: “I want to talk about Marcos Davila, man. I’ve been impressed with Marcos Davila since he got to Nebraska. He’s been putting his head down, hustling in silence. You’re not seeing him at basketball games, you’re not seeing him out and about, because he’s putting the work in, man.” The message was clear. While Raiola made headlines at Nebraska’s basketball game, Davila was grinding in the shadows. Could this silent assassin be the biggest threat to Raiola’s QB1 status? The battle is on.

However, the CFB insider reiterated his praise for Davila, showing no hesitation. He made it clear—this guy is the real deal. “I’ve been high on Marcos Davila since we signed this guy. I’m a big Marcos Davila guy, a big Marcos Davila truther. He’s going to be our second-string quarterback, and he could give Dylan a run for his money. I know that might sound absurd, but that’s how high I am on Marcos Davila. You guys have got to start getting there too because this guy is a really, really talented prospect. He was a high four-star coming out of high school, can do everything that Dylan can, and is developing as a leader, getting in the film.” The hype is building. The competition is real. And Davila? He’s coming.

And the hype isn’t just talk—it’s backed by numbers. Davila is a 6-foot-3, 233-pound gunslinger out of Midland Legacy High School. Sure, he’s inexperienced, but he’s built for this offense. A perfect fit for a Holgorsen-style attack, one that thrives on short passes and air raid concepts. That’s exactly why Graham Harrell wanted him.

And the stats? They speak for themselves. In three seasons as a starter, Davila completed 63% of his passes for 8,770 yards, 90 touchdowns, and just 30 interceptions. Sound familiar? It should. He’s cut from the same cloth as Dylan Raiola. Same size. Same big arm. And the same pocket-passing style. Neither relies on their legs—it’s all about the arm talent. The difference? Dylan Raiola is the QB1. And Davila wants the job.

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According to the CFB insider, it’s time for Matt Rhule to make it official. “I think Matt Rhule should come out and say right now that it’s going to be a competition because that’s going to be better for both Dylan and Marcos at the end of the day. Hopefully, he can do that. I’ve been impressed with Marcos Davila. I’m buying stock, man. I’m buying stock in this guy.” The message is clear—let them fight for it. Competition breeds greatness, and Davila isn’t here to sit quietly.

Davila isn’t just a big body—he’s a fearless gunslinger. He’ll hang tough in the pocket, absorb contact, and still fire a bullet. His throws into tight coverage are something else. Not only this, he’s got just enough mobility to extend plays, and he thrives within structure. Quick reads. Fast releases. Smart decisions. A perfect backup to Raiola, mirroring Nebraska’s QB1 in size and skill set. As of now, give him a season or two in the system, and the path is clear—he’ll be battling TJ Lateef for the starting job. And when that time comes, don’t be surprised if Davila takes over.

With Daniel Kaelin off to Virginia, Nebraska’s QB depth took a hit. That leaves just one other scholarship QB on the roster for 2025—TJ Lateef. A four-star talent out of Orange, but a true freshman. Matt Rhule knew depth was a must. On signing day, he made it clear: “TJ is coming in, and we’re really high on TJ.” The Huskers believe in their young gun, but relying on a freshman as the only backup? Risky. That’s why bringing in Davila was a smart move.

Raiola’s starting job might be on the line, but one thing’s clear: if Nebraska wants to win in 2025, they’ve got to protect their quarterback, whoever that ends up being. Good news is, they’ve got some solid talent on the offensive line. Elijah Pritchett and Rocco Spindler? Huge additions. But the real concern is depth. One injury could shake everything. That’s where Matt Rhule’s 335-pound push comes in. Nebraska needs big bodies, and tough linemen who can hold the line and give their QB time to work.

How can Matt Rhule safeguard his star QB?

Wilson Dittman sent a clear message to Matt Rhule—get a 335-pound enforcer up front. Protecting Dylan Raiola isn’t just important—it’s a necessity.

“If I’m Nebraska, and I really want to protect Dylan Raiola at an elite level and have a top-10 offensive line, I would really look into grabbing another offensive lineman—particularly a guard who can play center, who can play left and right guard. That’s what I would be looking for if I were Nebraska right now. There’s one guy who just entered the portal—I wouldn’t be shocked if the Huskers pursued him. It was just announced the other day by Pete Nakos that Minnesota’s longtime offensive guard starter, Martes Lewis, has entered the transfer portal,” Dittman said.

If Nebraska is serious about dominating the trenches, they need to make a move—fast.  At 6’7″, 335 pounds, Martes Lewis is a towering force in the trenches. Big. Physical. Battle-tested. With three years of Big Ten experience at Minnesota, he knows what it takes to win in the conference. Lewis played 13 games in both 2022 and 2024, with 13 starts in 2023. He’s not just a body—he’s a proven asset. And with two years of eligibility left, he could be a game-changer for Nebraska’s offensive line. A Merrillville, Indiana native and former top-five in-state recruit, Lewis brings more than just size—he brings depth, experience, and toughness. And Nebraska needs this guy if they want to control the line of scrimmage.

Raiola’s the cornerstone of this offense, but even the best quarterbacks can’t thrive under constant pressure. Nebraska needs to beef up their offensive line, and a player like Martes Lewis could be the missing piece. Will Rhule prioritize the trenches and give Raiola the protection he needs to succeed? Of course, he needs to if he wants more than a 7-win season.