Dylan Raiola, Nebraska’s second-year quarterback, is definitely creating some buzz as we head into the 2025 season. After a freshman year that had its ups and downs, he’s looking ready to take the spotlight. He played a big role in getting Nebraska back to a bowl game for the first time since 2016, which is a huge deal for a program that really needed a boost. Last season, he threw for 2,819 yards, racked up 13 touchdowns, and had 11 interceptions. Yeah, those numbers show he’s still figuring things out, but they also hint at the potential he has to do even more.

This off-season, Raiola’s been all about that ‘Mamba Mentality’—using Kobe Bryant’s ‘Chasing Perfection’ as his mantra. He’s been working hard in spring training, and it’s clear he’s eager to make that next jump. Head coach Matt Rhule and new OC Dana Holgorsen are heavily banking on him, and those around the program are saying Year Two is when quarterbacks tend to make their greatest leap. And let’s not forget what CFB analysts have to say about Raiola.

One3 analysts Andy and Ari also took a position on Raiola’s future in Nebraska. “I do think Dylan Raiola has a shot to be quite a bit better this year,” says Andy. “I think they’ve done what they need to do around him, and now he has to make that leap,” he adds.

Raiola finds himself in a fairly exceptional position. He has all the hype—you know, a five-star pedigree, an NFL lineman dad, and he has traveled from Georgia to Nebraska, becoming the face of a program that’s starved for some excitement. The Huskers are still rebuilding under Matt Rhule. The roster doesn’t yet include blue-chip players, so Raiola lacks the cast of supporting players that, let’s say, Arch Manning has at Texas.

“I said Nebraska is an eight-win team, perhaps a nine-win team, maybe like going into the Iowa game with a backdoor shot at the at the playoff if he (Raiola) does all that’s what they are, and that’s a vast improvement,” says Andy. Nebraska’s 2025 schedule is much easier than what they’ve been through lately. They avoid some of the Big Ten’s biggest beasts—no Ohio State, no Oregon, and they play Michigan at home, which is a huge gift. The start of the schedule sets them up to gain momentum, and if they can get a couple of hard road victories, say Maryland or Minnesota.

Dylan’s supposed to make a huge jump in his second year, particularly with Dana Holgorsen coordinating plays. Nebraska’s offense still had not fully found its identity last year, but with a better-balanced attack this year and actual playmakers in the receiver and running back spots, the offense might be as complete as it has been under Matt Rhule. And now, when Dana Holgorsen grasps the reins of offense, I think the Huskers making it won’t be a problem.

Why Nebraska’s big bucks on Holgorsen make total sense

Rhule giving Dana Holgorsen a $2.4 million deal (that’s $1.2 million annually for two years) as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator is completely reasonable—and truthfully, it makes a lot of sense if you consider what’s been going on in Lincoln recently. The man isn’t merely a random play-caller—he has more than a decade of head-coaching experience at West Virginia and Houston and is one of the best in college football when it comes to offensive philosophy. When Rhule hired him late last season, Nebraska’s offense suddenly looked more dynamic. Just look at that 44-25 victory over Wisconsin: Nebraska recorded its most points since 2021 and had 473 total yards of offense.

Now, top coordinators in the Big Ten and at the national level are paid $1.2 million annually, which is a big sum of money. Nebraska has a $7 million fund for assistant coaches, so they’re not pinching pennies on personnel quality. If you’re going to play with the Michigans, Penn States, and USCs of the world, you have to pay for the best coaching talent. Rhule is aware of this, and he’s backing it up with cash. But it’s not just cash—it’s results and consistency. Nebraska’s offense struggled in neutral for years, and Holgorsen’s presence brought instant improvement and optimism.

And as for Dylan Raiola, he’s prospering under Holgorsen’s regime. “Putting Dana [Holgorsen] in as OC is a great move for Matt [Rhule], and he’ll create a lot of advantages for Dylan [Raiola] in that offense,” says an SEC coach. The offense is more quarterback-friendly, with improved play design and more opportunities to throw downfield. Raiola’s confidence is boosted, and you can tell he’s more comfortable making reads and throwing it deep. The personnel also upgraded the receiving corps to assist him, which is a big thing for a young quarterback attempting to make the next step.