Matt Rhule evaluates Dylan Raiola, Nebraska QB room entering spring

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is entering his second season at the helm for the Huskers, this time with a revamped quarterback room with spring practice right around the corner.

Five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola headlined Rhule’s most recent signing class, with three-star in-state quarterback Daniel Kaelin also joining Nebraska this season. And ahead of spring practice starting next week, Rhule was asked about how his freshman quarterbacks have been coming along.

“They’ve done a great job, you can see a fire and competitiveness in Dylan,” Rhule said. “He wants to be at the top, he’s chomping at the bit, he’s in there at six o’clock in the morning throwing balls before his lift. Lift’s at 10:30 but he’s in there at 6:00 throwing. You can see it with Danny, he comes in and he’s working on football. They’re both winners, they’re both competitive guys.”

Reports of the young passers sound positive as they head into their first collegiate season, as they’ll battle for the starting job this offseason with the veteran quarterback of the bunch Heinrich Haarberg. Who started in eight games last season for the Huskers.

“You can see it with Henrich as an older player working. We talked a little bit about his elbow getting up and then working on that and taking time over spring break to work on that. So I’ve been really pleased, I’ve been pleased with their effort, now they’ve got to get to the football,” Rhule said.

The Cornhuskers will look to make a jump this season following a 5-7 finish last year under Rhule. As the second year Nebraska head coach is looking for a specific trait in his quarterbacks that could take the program over the top in a new-look Big Ten Conference next season.

“And again, I talk back about being frustrated, it’s that game you’re playing quarterback in where just nothing seems to kind of your way right? Where you just keep getting hit, and they’re fooling you with the coverages. Which quarterback gets kind of pissed off and attacks?” Rhule asked.

Rhule referred to his time previously spent as an assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants and how he watched Eli Manning turn a three interception first half into a come from behind victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ending the game with 510 yards and three touchdown passes in Week 2 of the 2012 season.

Nebraska’s quarterbacks may not have a 500-yard passing day in their future this season for the Cornhuskers. But there’s no question that intangibly Rhule is looking for someone under center that responds to adversity and has a high level of competitiveness ahead of the 2024 season.

“So I think that’s the next step for them and I’m really pleased, and I see a lot of that fire,” Rhule concluded.