After switching his pledge from Georgia to Nebraska in December 2023, Dylan Raiola—the No. 2-rated member of the 2024 class—walked into Memorial Stadium with the burden of a whole state upon him. He opened all 13 games for the Huskers in 2024, passing for 2,819 yards and flashing brilliance amidst the natural growing pains of a first-year starter. Schools across the country were attracted to Raiola’s ability during the off-season, leading to rumors circulating about a potential transfer.

Rather, Raiola went all in, taking to social media to say he was “all-in” at Nebraska, drawing praise from head coach Matt Rhule for his strength and refusal to cushion his exit. Rhule underscored how Raiola might have taken his talents elsewhere and eased out, but instead chose to fight and develop in Lincoln, a move that resonated with fans as well as teammates. Analysts and fans criticized Raiola’s progress after early adversity for the Cornhuskers. Amidst it all, observers have called out Dylan’s dedication to work and capacity for learning as central causes for hope to come.

And that leads us to Nebraska reporter Michael Bruntz, who’s documented Raiola’s development with a storyteller’s perspective. “I think when you kind of look at his year, he didn’t kind of come in and wasn’t kind of the alpha quarterback as a freshman,” Bruntz said. “But, during spring practices, you could see he was taking charge a lot more as a great handle of this offense and what it’s going to be. I think there’s a little bit more confidence from his point of view about kind of what the offense is and how it fits him.”

Practice reports from the Huskers emphasized the way Raiola was more outspoken, more assertive, and more at ease controlling the offense. He began barking out routes, calling out teammates for mistakes, and asserting himself in the huddle—little gestures that indicate a quarterback is finally taking charge of the system.

Bruntz acknowledges, “You know, he’s going to be the guy that’s going to make all this go. And I think the thing that is going to be really important for him is, you know, are there going to be games where he just kind of goes in and just kind of takes over? He asks. And you saw, you know, some throws here and there last year, but you kind of need him to be that five-star quarterback that everybody kind of thought he was.” Now, as he enters his sophomore season, the question isn’t so much whether he can play—it’s whether he can seize the role. Can he be the man who, when Nebraska needs to light the fire, puts the entire team on his back and wills them to a victory?

Let’s talk about the Minnesota game from last season. In the third quarter, Nebraska was down, and the crowd was getting pretty restless. Raiola dropped back, looked downfield, and launched a deep pass that felt like it took forever to come down. The receiver sprinted down the sideline and caught the ball perfectly, bringing the Huskers back to life. It wasn’t just about having a strong arm; it was all about poise, timing, and confidence—things that can really fire up a team. Then we had the Northwestern drive. Nebraska was in a tight spot and needed to score to stay in the game. Raiola took charge, leading the offense down the field with quick passes and smart choices. He stayed cool under pressure, threw on the run, and set up the game-winning field goal.

Considering the matchups on the horizon this fall, you can understand why the buzz exists. Against Michigan State, Maryland, Minnesota, and Northwestern, Raiola isn’t merely keeping up with them—he’s got the upper hand in terms of experience and established production on most opposing quarterbacks he’ll be facing. Consider Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles: okay, he’s promising, but Raiola has already got a whole season of starting under his belt to go along with the numbers to back it up. Raiola’s edge is all the more apparent against Maryland, whose quarterback situation is still unresolved.

Matt Rhule’s bold bet on Nebraska’s future

While all the world is discussing Dylan Raiola’s development and how he might be the spark that ignites Nebraska’s next era, there’s another enormous story percolating in the background—Matt Rhule’s massive $165 million wager on the future of Nebraska football. Rhule’s vision isn’t about flash; it’s about something sustainable, something that can attract top talent to Lincoln and retain them there. The epicenter of that vision? The state-of-the-art, brand-new Hawks Championship Center, a massive 315,000-square-foot football complex that’s got everyone from recruits to analysts talking.

Nebraska is not playing around. There’s all a player might ever want—training tables, recovery stations, pools, even a locker room that opens directly into the weight room. The building bears Osborne’s name, a reference to the proud tradition of the program, but the atmosphere is all about the future. Rhule’s not constructing a building; he’s constructing a culture. He’s opened the doors to high school tournaments and 7-on-7 competitions, showing the next crop of stars what Nebraska can provide. Experts who’ve walked through the doors say it’s a game-changer, the sort of investment that brings Nebraska into the same breath as America’s best.

Rhule has a history of taking undervalued players and making them NFL starters, and now he has the resources to do it on an even grander scale. But the catch is this: with grand investments come grand expectations. Rhule’s bet isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about winning and winning soon. The heat’s on for Raiola and the Huskers to deliver, for in Lincoln, nothing short of a return to glory will suffice. The $165 million transition isn’t only a statement; it’s a vow.