Matt Rhule on deciding on starting quarterback: 'I think we'll know when we know'

Matt Rhule does not want to rush a starting quarterback decision with Nebraska’s young signal callers.

Five-star freshman Dylan Raiola is the headliner with fellow freshman Daniel Kaelin and veteran Heinrich Haarberg rounding out the quarterback room. There isn’t too much game experience there.

But there’s certainly talent and that’s why Rhule wants to get this decision right.

“So there’s three guys there,” Rhule said on Always College Football. “It would be different if they all played for us before … Then you could maybe come out right now and say, Hey, I think you’re I think you’re the quarterback or maybe really early in the camp. For me, this is such a growth process. 

“You know, you have two guys who literally when they show up to campus this fall are beginning their freshman year of college football, so let’s say that they’re the starter before that even starts, that doesn’t make sense to me.” 

A coach like Rhule was always up front. This type of style with a new crop of QBs at Nebraska seems to be the right approach as well.

“I mean, the thing for me is I’ve been very honest with the guys,” Rhule said. “I don’t live in fear of the transfer portal. I think the best thing you can do with a portal is be completely transparent with guys and that way they know when you tell them that it’s in your best interest to stay, they’ll trust it. But I think we’ll know when we know. 

“And I know that sounds crazy, you know, but what I’ve liked is when one player has had a really good day, the other two guys kind of come in the next day with their hair on fire and they have a good day and at the end of the day, I’ve got to elevate the quarterback play and having competition elevates it. I don’t care what anybody says.” 

Regardless of who wins the battle, it’s going to be a fight in the Nebraska quarterback room. In a healthy way of course.

“You’re fighting for your job,” Rhule said. “And so to me that back and forth gives me training camp for that as we get to that first ball game. I think whoever goes on the field will be way more prepared because there’s no days off right now. If you have a bad day, someone’s gonna jump at you. They’re all three lead competitors.”