Matt Rhule: Dylan Raiola's family background makes him capable of starting as a freshman

From the moment Dylan Raiola signed with Nebraska, there was chatter about him competing for the starting spot. Not many true freshmen quarterbacks step into power conference programs and win the job but Matt Rhule has enjoyed what he’s seen from Raiola thus far. Yes, spring practice and a nice spring game performance have helped. But before stepping foot on campus, Raiola was set up to play football.

“He was raised in a football family,” Rhule said. “His grandfather played at the University of Miami. His Dad was obviously a 14-year pro in Detroit. A great, great offensive lineman. His uncle, Donovan, he works for us. Great offensive lineman at Wisconsin and the NFL… It’s an athletic family, it’s a football family.”

The family connection was a big reason why Railoa ended up with Nebraska in the first place. Now, his upbringing may be why the impact is an immediate one. According to Rhule, Railoa already understands what it takes to be a starting quarterback at a big-time program — it does not have to be taught to him.

“Dylan, to me, comes in as a young player but he understands that it’s a 24-hour deal to be the starting quarterback at a place like Nebraska,” Rhule said. “I think that background has helped him walk in here in a really mature way.”

Nebraska had three different quarterbacks take significant snaps in Rhule’s first season. Jeff Sims opened the year as the starter before being displaced by Heinrich Haarberg — also competing for this year’s starting job — ahead of the Northern Illinois game. Chubba Purdy closed out the season, starting against Wisconsin and Iowa.

Raiola is doing more than just attempting to win the starting job, though. Rhule says he is attempting to learn everything required of a high-level quarterback.

“He wants to be a pro. He doesn’t just want to walk in and learn the pass plays. He wants to learn how to flip the protection and what are the run checks. He’s up early in the morning, he’s working at it all the time,” Rhule said.

No decision has been made on who will take the first snap of Nebraska’s season opener against UTEP. Three guys are in the running and Rhule believes the Huskers will “know we know”, making the announcement when ready.

Raiola is doing all the right things to earn the spot, not something every true freshman does early in their college career.