Matt Rhule addresses Nebraska's QB competition between Dylan Raiola, Heinrich Haarberg

The 2024 season is expected to go differently for Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. However, the Cornhuskers head coach is facing a familiar challenge heading into season number two, as he did in the first one — identifying his starting quarterback. Rhule is likely deciding between incumbent starter Heinrich Haarberg and incoming freshman phenom Dylan Raiola.

During the Big Ten Football Media Days, Rhule discussed the progress his young, talented quarterback has made in preparation for the outcome of the 2024 campaign and provided an update on Nebraska’s quarterback competition.

“When we know, we know,” Rhule said. “I’ve got Heinrich Haarberg, who won five games as the starting quarterback at Nebraska last year. Not many guys have done that recently. I’ve got Daniel Kaelin, who’s one of the top recruits in the country, Elite 11. I’ve got Dylan (Raiola), who’s one of the top recruits in the country. They’ve all had these great moments.

“I feel like, after this summer, they’ve earned the right to come in and show us this camp what they’ve done and what they can do. We dream of the day we can play January 20. It’s going to take a lot of players to get through a 16-game season. We’ll compete it out, it will be fun. They’ll have high moments and low moments, but when we know, we know.”

Rhule understands firsthand what he is getting in Haarberg as a starter. As he mentioned above, the junior quarterback earned five starts last season as he split duty with Jeff Sims, who was the Cornhuskers starting quarterback to open the season. In total, Haarberg saw action in 10 games, completing 77 of his 157 pass attempts for 967 yards, seven passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also showed off his dual-threat ability with 120 carries for 477 yards and five rushing touchdowns.

The unknown in this equation for Rhule is Raiola. The true freshman was an elite quarterback in the high school ranks, earning a five-star ranking and a rating of 98.23, according to On3’s industry rankings. However, the college game is much more fast-paced and can easily overwhelm those ill-prepared to step on the field. Still, that has not stopped Raiola from showing out during the spring and summer, making this quarterback competition much closer than some anticipated.

From Rhule’s comments, the Nebraska head coach is not tipping his hand on which direction he is leaning. Who will be the Cornhuskers’ Week 1 starter will likely remain a mystery until they inch closer to their August 31 season opener against UTEP. Fortunately for Rhule, he appears to have multiple options that can get the job done for Nebraska in 2024.