Dylan Raiola to Enter Transfer Portal After Two Seasons at Nebraska - Matt Rhule Responds
After two years in Lincoln, Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is heading for the exit. The former five-star recruit, who earned the starting job as a true freshman in 2024, announced he’ll be entering the transfer portal when it opens in early January. His decision comes on the heels of a season-ending injury and a shifting landscape within the Cornhuskers program.
While Raiola’s move raised eyebrows across the college football world, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule took a few days before offering his public thoughts. When he did speak, his message was clear: support for the player, but confidence in the program.
“If he needs a fresh start, I’m going to pray that he finds the right place and that he has so much success,” Rhule said. “With that being said, there’s a lot of great quarterbacks out there, and a lot of guys want to play at Nebraska.”
That’s a coach walking the line between empathy and resolve. Rhule recruited Raiola, believed in his upside, and gave him the keys to the offense as a freshman.
But now, with Raiola on his way out, Rhule is turning the page. And he’s doing it with the kind of steady hand you want leading a major program - recognizing Raiola’s talent while making it clear that Nebraska isn’t going to be defined by one player.
Raiola’s Time in Lincoln: A Mixed Bag
Raiola’s tenure with the Cornhuskers was a blend of promise and growing pains. He threw for 4,819 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions over two seasons - solid numbers that showed development, particularly in the passing game. His sophomore year saw improvement across the board through the air, even though it was cut short by injury.
But on the ground, the struggles were hard to ignore. Raiola finished his Nebraska career with negative rushing yards - a total loss of 152 yards - and didn’t record a single rushing touchdown. Behind an offensive line that didn’t always give him much room to maneuver, he never quite developed into the dual-threat quarterback some had hoped for.
That lack of mobility limited Nebraska’s offensive versatility, and it’s likely one of the reasons Rhule feels optimistic about finding a better fit for the system moving forward.
A Departure That Felt Inevitable
For those following the program closely, Raiola’s decision to transfer didn’t come out of nowhere. Just weeks before the announcement, Nebraska parted ways with offensive line coach Donovan Raiola - Dylan’s uncle.
Earlier in the year, Dylan’s younger brother, Dayton Raiola, decommitted from the Cornhuskers. Those two moves signaled a shift in the family’s connection to the program, and Dylan’s exit felt more like a matter of when, not if.
Now, Nebraska finds itself at a crossroads - but not in crisis. Rhule’s comments suggest a coach who’s already looking ahead, and in today’s transfer portal era, the next quarterback could be just a phone call away. The Huskers remain a major draw, and with Rhule’s track record of building tough, competitive teams, there’s no shortage of talent interested in stepping into that role.
As for Raiola, the next chapter of his college career is wide open. He’s got the arm talent, the experience, and two years of Power Five football under his belt. If he finds the right system - one that suits his strengths and protects him better in the pocket - there’s still plenty of upside to tap into.
But in Lincoln, the message is clear: the program moves forward.