QB Dylan Raiola was a major commitment for Nebraska to really start of the tenure of Matt Rhule. His arrival has apparently made an early impact already in more areas than one over in Lincoln.
Rhule spoke about Raiola’s early effect on the Cornhuskers during an interview with Joel Klatt on ‘Big Noon Conversations’. While many go with the football player first, his coach started with the person that he is off of the field, including as one with more than a few ties to their program.
“Yeah, I mean Dylan’s talent is only matched by who he is as a person,” Rhule began. “I mean his family? Obviously, his father was a great ‘Husker. Father played 14 years in the NFL as an offensive lineman, the most unselfish position that there is as a center. Great mom, great sister, great younger brother. His uncle is our offensive line coach.”
That person combined with the quarterback and prospect he is has since affected recruiting for the ‘Huskers according to Rhule. It was a first step for other top prospects to see their team is worth playing for and representing.
“The great thing for us was, in recruiting, you know that he came because he knew what the program was really like on the inside,” Rhule said. “That sends a message to everybody else in recruiting that, hey, this is a good place. ‘Like, I was going to go somewhere else. I know what’s happening here. You should trust it. You should come here.'”
“Now you’re attracting players from all across the country that want to come play with him.”
Still, as a former five-star and No. 3 QB, everyone wants to know what he brings to the field for Nebraska. The good news, though, is that Raiola already delivering there too with his senses and work ethic in the game. Now, with him in their quarterback room, Rhule thinks the position has more than enough to be better this year.
“At the end of the day, to your point, it comes down to the football,” Rhule said. “He has a unique feel for the game. He’s really, really smart. You know, you always hear Tom Brady and those guys talk about when your best players work the hardest, you have a great team. Well, Dylan is one of those guys who tries to work the hardest.”
“People talk a lot about turnovers last year, which we should. I go back and say, if we can throw the ball better? If we can complete third-and-five? If we’re not throwing interceptions, if we can be more aggressive because we trust our decision-making? That has been one of the challenges for Dylan. That has been one of the challenges for Danny (Kaelin) and for Heinrich (Haarberg),” continued Rhule. “Everyone wants to know who the starting quarterback is going to be at Nebraska. I’m always like, hey, it’s going to take probably two, maybe three in this 17-game season that we want to have.”
Raiola has much to deliver on as a legacy recruit and one of the top prospects for their team in some time. He certainly is starting to as well, which is why Rhule thinks he’s about to become a household name in the sport.
“He certainly has helped us raise the level of play and I think he’s going to be a guy that all of college football knows.”
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