Matt Rhule's to-do list for Dylan Raiola to become a ‘great' Nebraska quarterback

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule on Tuesday didnt use the phrase sophomore slump, when discussing what he wanted quarterback Dylan Raiola to avoid this season.

But he laid out his hope for what Raiola who threw for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a true freshman does and does not do in 2025.

All players make a great jump from Year 1 to Year 2 and probably from Year 2 to Year 3, Rhule said.

The thing were trying to avoid with all of our freshmen is, a lot of times guys have some success as a freshman and then they kind of tail off and all of the sudden it takes to Year 3 and youve got to get them going again.

Rhule noted linebacker Vincent Shavers and receiver Jacory Barney fit into that equation, too.

Neither will have the spotlight Raiola does, particularly after he led NU to a 7-6 record and a Pinstripe Bowl win.

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He did a lot of things that not a lot of freshmen do, Rhule said.

He was really up there in terms of passing percentage and all those different things.

Raiola has items hed like to improve upon, too, Rhule said.

If Raiola kept his voice quiet as a true freshman among veterans, he has to step up and lead vocally in 2025.

In that way, hes already impressed NU senior receiver Dane Key, who transferred from Kentucky after three successful seasons in part because of Raiola, who texted Key often and was a mainstay during Keys visit to Nebraska.

Dylan was with me every second, Key said.

The quarterback is also working on his body composition, Rhule said.

That is, being at the right weight, distributed in the right spots.

"He won't be a great quarterback at 240 pounds," Rhule said.

"Getting his body composition where he can be fleet of foot, where he can slide nimbly and move within the pocket, where he can convert third downs with his feet, I think that's something we're all bought into and he has to continue to do.

NU will have a battle for the backup quarterback position, although its clear the Huskers have a leader at No.

2: Jalyn Gramstad.

The 6-foot, 200-pounder transferred from Northwestern College in Iowa, where he was NAIA player of the year, last summer.

He threw for 11 yards and ran the ball for three yards in NUs season-opening rout of UTEP.

Dylans one of those guys who, whenever a play comes in wrong, he can fix it, Rhule said.

Whereas sometimes, some of the other guys are like Ron Burgundy, theyre going to say whatever comes up.

Gramstads a lot like Dylan...they vibe off each other.

With Gramstad, the balls going to go where its supposed to go.

Two freshmen, incoming true freshman TJ Lateef and Purdue transfer Marcos Davila, will also compete for the backup job.

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