Can Nebraska expect yet better news on the recruitment front? Matt Rhule won big time when he flipped No. 16 LB Dawson Merritt from Alabama. But it was actually QB Dylan Raiola who instigated this crucial flip, as the Huskers’ latest commitment revealed. Merritt also revealed that more good news is coming Nebraska’s way which now boasts the nation’s 20th best recruiting class of 2025.

Carriker Chronicles posted a YouTube short on November 21 featuring an excerpt of Dawson Merritt’s interview. The new Nebraska commit added more intrigue to Rhule’s recruitment drive, saying that more prospects could be on their way to Lincoln. The 4-star LB said, “I got two guys in my head. I can’t say their names cause I don’t wanna ruin their moments. But I got two guys in my head confirmed that’ll be two huge gets for our recruiting class.”

Dawson Merritt committed to Alabama in June. But his OV to Nebraska showed him what it would like to be part of the Huskers Nation. Still, it’s Raiola’s agreeable gesture that played a huge part in his flip. He said, “Since my first day on Nebraska, I went to [Raiola’s] dorm. He was my host on my OV. He texts me all the time. He texts my parents as well just trying to land me.” Merritt is the 7th 4-star player in Nebraska’s 2025 class. 

While we can only throw guesses at whom Merritt is referring to, Nebraska’s recruitment battle expands into the 2026 cycle. Two prospects of the 2026 class – 4-star Maize South DL Hunter Higgins and 3-star Manhattan DB JJ Dunnigan – will be in attendance at the Huskers’ upcoming game against Wisconsin. Their performance could influence their decision, but they’ve already secured a commitment for the future class.  

Dylan Raiola brings his brother’s commitment to Nebraska

Another Raiola is coming to Nebraska! And that’s huge because this family is no stranger to the Huskers Nation. On3’s Hunter Shelton reported that class of 2026 QB Dayton Raiola, brother of Dylan Raiola, has committed to Matt Rhule’s program. The Buford HS player is currently ranked as a 3-star prospect on 247Sports with other offers from Charlotte and Appalachian State. 

The reason this is a big development is that his father Dominic Raiola was a former Huskers player who was an All-American center. His uncle Donovan Raiola serves as the current OL coach for Nebraska. His older brother, Dylan is currently the star of the Huskers team. So you see the hype. As of now, he’s the lone commit in the class of 2026 which Dylan Raiola and co could change as they try to turn their fate by earning a bowl eligibility and improving their 5-5 record. 

Meanwhile, you can also lend your ears to the Griffin sisters who appeared in our exclusive Think Tank podcast to talk about their influence on football.