In a highly-anticipated announcement, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have revealed that freshman Dylan Raiola will be their starting quarterback for the upcoming 2024 season. Raiola, who was ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the Class of 2024, has generated excitement among fans as the team hopes to secure a bowl game appearance for the first time since 2016.

Raiola's path to becoming the starting quarterback for Nebraska has been impressive. Originally committed to Georgia, he made the decision to switch his commitment to the Cornhuskers in December. Since then, he has been turning heads with his performance during spring practice. His main competition for the starting position was junior Heinrich Haarberg, who played in 10 games for the Cornhuskers last season.

During the Cornhuskers' spring game, Raiola showcased his skills, completing 16 of 22 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns. While Head Coach Matt Rhule had been cautious in publicly confirming Raiola as the starter, recent developments have made it clear that the freshman stood out in terms of talent and potential.

Raiola's ranking as the No. 2 quarterback and No. 7 overall player in the 2024 recruitment cycle by 247Sports solidifies his promising future with the program. Nebraska is in dire need of a quarterback who can bring stability and improve their turnover margin, as the team finished 129th nationally in turnovers last season.

The season opener on August 31 against UTEP will provide Raiola with a manageable debut, but the pressure will increase in Week 2 when Nebraska faces Colorado. It is a pivotal opportunity for the young quarterback to prove himself on a bigger stage.

Raiola's family history adds to the excitement surrounding his appointment as the starting quarterback. His father, Dominic Raiola, is a former Nebraska player who garnered All-America honors during his time as the Cornhuskers' center in 2000. Dylan's uncle, Donovan Raiola, is currently serving as Nebraska's offensive line coach. Both of his older brothers have played in the NFL, further fueling the anticipation of his own professional potential.

Scouts have drawn comparisons between Raiola and Matthew Stafford, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams. Raiola's strong arm and ability to comfortably throw from different arm slots have impressed experts. However, he will need time to adjust to the speed of the college game.

While it is rare for true freshmen to secure the starting quarterback position at big-name programs, Raiola's potential and talent make him an exception. Past examples, like Jaden Rashada at Arizona State and Dante Moore at UCLA, demonstrate the challenges faced by young quarterbacks in their first season. Nonetheless, successes like Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at Oklahoma show the immense upside of playing true freshmen early in their careers.

As Nebraska prepares for an exciting 2024 season, all eyes will be on Dylan Raiola as he takes the reins as the starting quarterback. The expectations are high, but if he can live up to his potential, he has the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the Cornhuskers' program.