Matt Rhule updates process in selecting a starting quarterback

Matt Rhule hasn’t decided on Nebraska’s starting quarterback just yet but revealed his process of evaluation this season.

Competing for the job are freshmen Dylan Raiola (the No. 3 quarterback in the Class of 2024) and Daniel Kaelin, as well as redshirt junior Heinrich Haarberg. But none of them, if they separated, went too far from the others.

Rhule wants to keep the competition intense to improve everyone’s play.

“I want the quarterbacks to feel like they have the race and all of a sudden I want the other guy to come along and try to challenge him,” Rhule said. “I think it’ll elevate all of us. And then when we know we know, but I wouldn’t anticipate us saying hey, this guy is the starter like today, you know? Because I thought all three quarterbacks went out there and said, hey, I can be the starter and that’s my challenge for the players is don’t worry about where you stand.”

This type of process and mentality doesn’t just go for the quarterbacks.

“At all positions,” Rhule said. “Don’t worry about how much opportunity you’re getting. Just worry about what the tape looks like. Do you look like a Big Ten winning quarterback? Do you look like a Big Ten winning left tackle? DO you look like a Big Ten Winning d-tackle? And if you do, your time will come. So that’s a long very philosophical answer.

“But I would say it would take a while because I just think there’s so many guys doing good things and I want to give them a fair shot.”

If Rhule gives them all a fair shot, then it’ll be interesting to see how Raiola factors into that equation.

At one point during his recruitment, Raiola looked bound for Georgia. But a late flip led him to Nebraska and the Huskers landing one of the best quarterbacks of the cycle.

“Nebraska is a special place. It’s always been like that,” Raiola said. “I never take it for granted how good our fans are. I try to be around my guys as much as possible. Take them out to go eat. Play Madden. It’s been good. I love living here. Not a lot of distractions, a lot of ball and being around your guys.”

Raiola boasts strong families ties with the Cornhuskers. Raiola’s father played there in college. Further, his uncle — Donovan Raiola — is currently on Rhule’s staff as the offensive line coach and recently received a contract extension.