Misery and Dylan Raiola seem to be in a long-term relationship at this point. We all know that Nebraska’s season ended on a bittersweet note, but while the Huskers look to level up, Raiola stays caught in the crossfire. Well, a shaky offensive line and inconsistent play led to a rough freshman year, culminating in a 23rd-place postseason quarterback ranking. But just when he thought it couldn’t get worse, comparisons to Sam Leavitt emerge, making his uphill battle even steeper.
While Dylan Raiola enjoys fan support, CFB insiders Andy and Ari hold a completely opposite view of his abilities. They completely put an end to the notion of Dylan being better than ASU’s Sam Leavitt, saying, “He’s definitely not better than Sam Leavitt yet. No, Sam Leavitt is a lot better than Dylan Raiola was in 2024. It wasn’t even close. Sam Leavitt is the type of player who could really take the sport by storm next year.” Well, that’s a fact.
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It’s evident that Sam Leavitt is the key reason behind ASU’s playoff run. Even stats-wise, his numbers are far better than Dylan Raiola’s. As Sam threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions, he had 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The worst part is that Dylan isn’t even in their top 10 returning players for 2025.
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Moreover, Andy and Ari also highlighted their gameplay under pressure, saying, “What can Leavitt do that Raiola can’t? Win football games, evade pressure, yeah. Evade pressure is a big one. Raiola has a very hard time when there are people in his face.” Remember when his game totally collapsed after the immense defensive pressure, resulting in 3 sacks and a loss of 38 yards against Illinois? Plus, Dylan Raiola’s poor decision-making on a potential touchdown pass to Isaiah Neyor resulted in an interception, worsening the team’s plight.
We all know how difficult it was for the Sun Devils to even think of winning 11 games, qualifying for the CFB, and nearly advancing to the semifinals, but Leavitt made it possible for them. Clearly, he handles pressure well, considering he only had 19 sacks this season compared to Raiola’s 27. Plus, accounting for only two turnover-worthy plays this season speaks volumes about his consistency. But does Dylan Riola really not pose any ability to thrive in the future?
Matt Rhule’s key to success – Dylan Raiola
It is clear that Dylan Raiola had his fair share of inconsistencies this season, but we should not dwell on that too much, considering he is just a freshman. Raiola’s statement came after his freshman season ended with a win against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl (20-15), ending the Huskers’ bowl drought. His gameplay was top-notch by quickly recovering from an early interception, completing 22-of-30 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown.
Moreover, Dylan Raiola demonstrated why Nebraska’s offense revolves around him. His focus erased his early mistake; he distributed the pigskin like a seasoned veteran and connected with Emmett Johnson for a crucial 13-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 20-2. With every drive and throw, Raiola appeared more in command. Plus Raiola’s decision-making, accuracy, and ability to prolong plays all fell into place. However, for Nebraska to elevate their game, they must provide him with support in the backfield.
Now this is where TJ Harden comes into the picture. As Head coach Matt Rhule requires a dependable running back, and Harden fits the bill perfectly. Although he started slowly at UCLA, he finished strong, accumulating a team-high of 506 rushing yards before entering the transfer portal. If Rhule seals the deal, Dylan Raiola will finally get the support he needs, and suddenly, this offense looks a whole lot more dangerous heading into 2025.
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Edited by
Vineet Nandwana