Dylan Raiola calls his pass decisions a 'gut feeling'

Dylan Raiola has not yet been named the Nebraska starting quarterback but has an opportunity to make a significant impact as a true freshman. The comparisons to Patrick Mahomes have been made in recent days and not just the dressware. Raiola is known for having a massive arm and making plays while off-schedule.

Sometimes, those kinds of decisions can lead to uneasy plays and potential turnovers. Raiola was asked about how he knows when to pull something out of his bag without putting the ball at risk. To him, those decisions are a “gut feeling” and ones he makes based on the current situation.

“I think that’s something that’s a gut feeling, honestly,” Raiola said. “Or a situational feeling. You’ve got to have confidence to throw those throws but you also have to know the situation of what you’re trying to accomplish in that play, in the situation of the game. It’s being aggressive and cutting it loose but also understanding the situation of the game.”

Raiola is basing most of this on his time in high school, playing his senior season at Buford (GA). He was the No. 21 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Turnovers were a major problem for Nebraska in 2023, finishing -17, good enough for dead last in the Big Ten and No. 129 in the FBS. Sixteen interceptions were thrown by quarterbacks while 15 fumbles were lost. No matter how good of a team you put on the field, those kinds of numbers are going to lose a lot of football games.

So when Raiola does eventually step on the field for the Huskers, head coach Matt Rhule‘s No. 1 message will likely be protecting the ball. The youngster is seemingly confident in his ability to do so, even while attempting some out-of-rhythm throws.

Fall camp is ongoing in Lincoln, with the quarterback battle raging on. Raiola is widely considered the favorite but Heinrich Haarberg and Daniel Kaelin have received plenty of praise from Rhule this offseason.

If Raiola is given the nod, Nebraska will be putting out one of the program’s most hyped recruits in quite a long time. He believes in himself to provide a few magical plays with his arm while continually making sure the right decision is made for the betterment of the Huskers.