In an exciting development for Nebraska football, true freshman Dylan Raiola has been announced as the starting quarterback for the team's season opener against UTEP on August 31. This decision comes after a rigorous competition with junior Heinrich Haarberg and true freshman Daniel Kaelin during the offseason.

Dylan Raiola, ranked as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 11 overall player in the 2024 ESPN 300, has made an impressive impact since enrolling early with the Huskers. As the son of All-America offensive lineman Dominic Raiola and the nephew of Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, he brings a strong football pedigree to the team.

Raiola's commitment to Nebraska was a significant recruiting victory for head coach Matt Rhule, especially after coming off a 5-7 debut season. He made the decision to switch his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska in December, citing his belief in the program's rich heritage and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than himself.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds, Raiola showcased his skills during his high school career, throwing for nearly 8,500 yards and 88 touchdowns. He played his senior year at Buford High School in Georgia before enrolling early with the Huskers.

In his spring game debut in April, Raiola put on an impressive display, throwing for 239 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-22 passing. His performance highlighted the potential he brings to the team as they look to improve their passing game, which ranked last in the Big Ten last season.

Nebraska's decision to name Raiola as the starting quarterback is indicative of their confidence in his abilities and the impact he can make on the team. With UTEP being their first opponent, Raiola will have the opportunity to showcase his skills on home turf before facing Colorado on September 7.

The Huskers are hopeful that Raiola's arrival will provide a much-needed boost to their passing game this season. With former quarterbacks Jeff Sims and Chubba Purdy having moved on to other programs, the team looks to Raiola to lead them to success on the field.

As the season opener draws near, Nebraska and their fans eagerly await the debut of their highly-touted freshman quarterback, who has the potential to make a lasting impact on the program.