Matt Rhule confirms Dylan Raiola will compete for starting job in 2024

Matt Rhule was able to pull off the incredible flip of five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola. Previously pledged to the Georgia Bulldogs, Raiola had a change of heart and will begin his college football career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The decision was made official on Wednesday with the Letter of Intent being faxed in.

The recruitment was a fun story but it’s quickly moved on to Raiola making an impact on the field. Rhule was asked if the quarterback can contend for the starting role in 2024, with the answer being yes. Not just because he was highly-touted coming out of high school but because that’s how Rhule runs his program.

Nebraska is going to put the best players on the field, no matter what. If Raiola can go out there and prove to be the Huskers’ best option at quarterback, Rhule will make him the starter.

“Everybody does,” Rhule said. “We’re a team that started multiple nonscholarship players last year. Competition is king. Nothing is handed to anybody.”

Raiola played high school football at Buford (GA) High School, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 16 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Sean Callahan of On3’s Husker Online said as things stand, the true freshman will be the favorite to win the starting job. Being an early enrollee will help his case, getting a full spring and then fall camp to impress the Nebraska coaches.

“I think it sets up for him to have a great chance to be the guy and win the job,” Callahan said when speaking to On3’s Andy Staples. “If you were to put Vegas odds on it, he’s the starting quarterback for Nebraska next year. Barring injury or something crazy.”

Three different quarterbacks got snaps for Nebraska last season. Jeff Sims was thought to be the guy but Rhule was forced to make a change. Heinrich Haarberg wound up being the team’s leading passer while Chubba Purdy played a role as well before entering the NCAA transfer portal.

Finding some kind of stability will be huge for Rhule in his second year in charge. Usually, stability is not the word you would use to describe a freshman starting quarterback. But Raiola will have the opportunity to prove he is worthy of getting snaps early in the 2024 season.