Matt Rhule didn’t dodge the tough question Wednesday night. Speaking publicly for the first time since Dylan Raiola entered the transfer portal, the Nebraska head coach struck a tone that was both respectful and forward-looking - a clear sign that while the Huskers are parting ways with a high-profile talent, they’re not dwelling on what could’ve been.
“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 during an appearance on the Huskers Radio Network. “With that being said, there’s a lot of great QBs out there and a lot of guys who want to play at Nebraska.”
That’s a coach walking a delicate line - acknowledging the departure of a player who was once seen as the cornerstone of a rebuild, while making it clear the program isn’t hitting pause. Raiola’s exit, after nearly two seasons in Lincoln, marks the end of a chapter that began with sky-high expectations and national headlines.
He was the No. 3-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2024, a blue-chip recruit courted by college football’s elite. His commitment was a major win for Rhule’s staff at the time - a statement that Nebraska still had pull on the national stage.
On the field, Raiola showed flashes. He posted a 13-9 record as the Huskers’ starter, but his 2025 campaign came to a premature end after a season-ending injury in a 21-17 loss to USC on November 1. That game, in many ways, became the turning point - the last time Raiola suited up for Nebraska and, ultimately, the final act of his tenure in Lincoln.
Rhule’s comments suggest no hard feelings. In fact, they reflect a growing reality in modern college football: the transfer portal has changed everything.
Roster construction is no longer a slow build - it’s a year-to-year recalibration. Players move.
Coaches adapt. And programs that thrive are the ones that don’t get stuck looking in the rearview mirror.
So where does that leave Nebraska? In Rhule’s eyes, in a good spot.
“There’s a lot of great QBs out there,” he said. That’s not just coach-speak - it’s a nod to the ever-expanding pool of available talent.
The Huskers know they’re still a draw. They’ve got history, resources, and a fan base that shows up no matter what.
That still matters in this era of NIL deals and instant eligibility.
Losing a talent like Raiola stings, no doubt. You don’t just replace a player with that kind of pedigree overnight.
But Rhule’s message was clear: Nebraska isn’t waiting around. The search for the next quarterback is already underway, and the program is moving forward with confidence.
In today’s college football landscape, that’s not just the right mindset - it’s the only one that works.