Rhule says Dylan Raiola’s ‘heart’ led him to Nebraska instead of powerhouse Georgia
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska’s quarterback room now features the No. 1 QB recruit in the country: Dylan Raiola.
Last week, Raiola – who was previously committed to Georgia – asked coach Matt Rhule if he could come take another look at Nebraska.
Raiola told Rhule that his “heart” kept telling him to come to Nebraska.
His father, Dominic Raiola, played for the Huskers, and his uncle Donovon Raiola is Nebraska’s offensive line coach.
“I challenged him, like, ‘Hey, make sure you’re serious about this because I don’t want this to be something that isn’t right for you,” Rhule said Wednesday.
On National Signing Day, Raiola officially became a Husker. He flipped from Georgia, which won the 2022 national championship, to Nebraska, which hasn’t been to a bowl game since 2016.
It’s OFFICIAL 🖊️!! GBR🌽🎈🎈🎈 https://t.co/fCmKqbIytk
— Dylan Raiola (@RaiolaDylan) December 20, 2023
Rhule complimented Raiola’s arm, vision and work ethic at the press conference.
He also shouted out another incoming freshman quarterback: Bellevue West’s Daniel Kaelin, the No. 2 recruit in Nebraska, according to 247Sports.
With rumors of Raiola coming to Nebraska, Kaelin was expected to visit Michigan State. He eventually canceled that trip.
“Even this past weekend, he had opportunities, and he just wants to compete and wants to be a Husker,” Rhule said.
One of this year’s starting quarterbacks, Chubba Purdy, plans to enter the transfer portal, according to HuskerOnline.
That leaves Heinrich Haarberg to compete with Raiola and Kaelin for the starting job.
“I want to build this thing with guys who have been in the program, who learn our way of thinking, our way of seeing the field, our way of viewing defenses, our way of calling protections, our way of training,” Rhule said.
