Latest news with #Raiola
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola ranks in The Athletic's 2025 quarterback rankings
The Athletic (subscription required) released its 2025 college football quarterback rankings on Wednesday. The list comprises all 136 starters and is categorized across seven tiers. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola ranked 40th on the list. The list was compiled after the Athletic surveyed more than 40 coaches and staff members from across college football. The list relied on the coaches' and staffers' opinions on the quarterbacks they faced, how the QBs in their conference stack up, and who the best in the country is. The rankings and tiers are based on a combination of coaches' perspectives, players' physical abilities and traits, career accomplishments to date, and a projection of what 2025 may hold for them. The quarterbacks are also ranked by conference and by their status: returning starter, transfer, or new starter. For teams that haven't officially named a starter because they're still engaged in a quarterback battle, The Athletic ranked who they project to start based on information gathered to this point. Raiola's rank of 40th also placed him in tier four, which categorizes quarterbacks as either being young, unproven starters with high potential or veterans who have flashed great talent but hit performance or injury speed bumps somewhere along the way. The Athletic emphasized that while Raiola looked every bit of a five-star prospect last September, he hit a wall midway through his true freshman season. The duo also pointed out that Raiola didn't display top-end athleticism last year, leaving some in the sport wondering how high his ceiling is. However, they pointed out that with Dana Holgorsen fully in charge of the offense, the hope is that Raiola will make a jump this season. 'Has a calmness, maturity, and swagger to him which you want out of your QB,' a Big Ten personnel staffer said. 'Think him continuing to get bigger, faster, stronger and leaner in the offseason can take his game to another level.' Raiola started all 13 games for Nebraska in 2024, where he threw for 2,819 yards, the most by a freshman in program history. He also completed more than 67 percent of his passes (275-of-410), the best completion percentage by a freshman in school history. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska's Dylan Raiola ranked among the top quarterbacks in USA Today's rankings
USA Today's Paul Myerberg, Blake Toppmeyer, Eddie Timanus, Jordan Mendoza, and Erick Smith released their top-25 college quarterback rankings ahead of the 2025 season. Multiple Big Ten quarterbacks made the list, including Nebraska's Dylan Raiola, who ranked 17th. The article emphasized that the former five-star recruit will take the next step as a sophomore, building on last year's experience, a much-improved receiver group, and a full offseason learning the ropes in coordinator Dana Holgorsen's system. Raiola played in all 13 games as a true freshman for the Huskers in 2024, setting a school record for yards thrown by a freshman and completion percentage by a freshman. He completed more than 67 percent of his passes last season, going 275-of-410 while tossing 2,819 yards and 13 touchdowns. Raiola led all FBS freshmen and ranked 14th nationally in completion percentage in 2024. He also ranked third among all freshmen in passing yards and was a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award. Raiola ranked fourth among the seven Big Ten quarterbacks in USA Today's rankings. Penn State's Drew Allar earned the highest rank for the Big Ten, placing at No. 2. "Raiola has all the gifts to match his immense recruiting hype and should tap into that potential beginning in September." Illinois's Luke Altmyer and UCLA's Nico Iamaleava also ranked ahead of Raiola, earning the 13th and 16th spots, respectively. Other Big Ten quarterbacks to make the top 25 included Oregon's Dante Moore (19th), Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (20th), and Ohio State's Julian Sayin (24th). Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Husker head coach Matt Rhule impressed with offseason growth of quarterback Dylan Raiola
Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule was a guest on the Always College Football podcast earlier this week and talked about the development of quarterback Dylan Raiola. Raiola had a strong freshman season. He recorded 2,813 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions last season. He finished the season by leading the Huskers to a bowl game victory against Boston College in December. Now, the quarterback enters his sophomore season looking to continue that high level of play. 'To me, it's not about his highs being higher, it's about his loads not being so low. It's the same for our whole team. And so what I loved about Dylan is the consistency that he's got. He's the same guy every day. He's holding people accountable, starting with himself. His body looks great. And he and Dana Holgerson, I think, are going to make a dynamic duo. I think they have a chance to be really special on offense. ' Consistency from Raiola is going to be crucial as the Huskers look to make another leap in 2025. The quarterback has shown that he can be an explosive playmaker and leader under center. Now, it's going to be about putting it all together for an entire season. The offensive side of the football has been upgraded from last season, and it should lead to more success. Time will tell with results on the field, but Raiola has a chance to be successful in 2025. Nebraska will open the 2025 college football season on Thursday, August 28, when the Huskers face the Cincinnati Bearcats at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. K ickoff time is set for 8:00 p.m. CT. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking all 18 Big Ten football uniforms for 2025
As the offseason continues, and very little news flows throughout the Big Ten landscape, one can think about many things. One in particular is the history of the Big Ten and specifically that of many blueblood programs' uniforms. Whether it be the classic aesthetic of Michigan's blue and gold, the more modern sleek look of the Trojans of USC, or one of the most iconic uniforms in college football with Penn State, the Big Ten has given us some iconic expressions of team pride through its many different uniforms. Thus, for the first time on Nittany Lions Wire, I will be ranking all 18 of the Big Ten's classic uniforms from worst to best. Here is a look at our Big Ten helmet rankings for 2025. 18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Helmet Rank: 16 This one is pretty self-explanatory. In a conference in which many team's colorways use a red and white scheme, Rutgers does it the worst. While the white R against the bright red backdrop on the helmet is an aesthetically awesome touch, the helmet alone is not enough to keep Rutgers from claiming the bottom spot. There are only so many ways that you can pull off red and white, and until Rutgers tries to pull it off, they may stay bottom dwellers for a while. 17. Indiana Hoosiers Helmet Rank: 14 Much like Rutgers, red and white can only get you so far on the Big Ten uniform rankings. Calling it cream and crimson doesn't necessarily help either. Nevertheless, a trident as a logo is cooler than a simple white "R" so that at least is something the Hoosiers can hang their hat on. Plus, Curt Cignetti's squad is a fun and frisky bunch, so if performances levels continue to exceed expectations, this uniform could move way up in my rankings and become ever more iconic. 16. Illinois Fighting Illini Helmet Rank: 15 Just out of the bottom two is the Illini, who somehow make orange, white and blue work on a uniform. They have several alternates with the navy blue/orange that are standouts but their old-time jerseys leave much to be desired and take away from the overall aesthetic. However, much like Indiana, sneaky performances could elevate these unusual unis even higher. 15. Northwestern Wildcats Helmet Rank: 17 The first team to incorporate purple on the list, Northwestern has some of the most underrated uniforms in the conference. Their alternates with the purple stripe detailing are some of the best in the sport, and the way they intepret the scripted "N" on the helmet is really cool and makes a simple logo pop especially on the alternates. However, the simplicity of their white unis and their poor on-field performances leaves them towards the bottom of the pack. 14. Nebraska Cornhuskers Helmet Rank: 18 If this were nearly three decades ago, Nebraska could well have been in the top 5. The great Cornhusker teams of the 90s made the red and white jerseys some of the most well-renowned ones in the sports. Years of irrelevancy have seen the uniforms lose their luster. Should Raiola and Rhule continue to gain consistency together, perhaps this best of the "red and whites" will have its day in the sun again. 13. Minnesota Golden Gophers Helmet Rank: 12 Another underrated uni in the conference, the Golden Gophers probably have the best detailing of any team with a white base for their jerseys. To top it all off, they also have perhaps the best letter logo outside the top 10, with the red and gold "M" standing out in a world where Mcdonald's and Michigan exist. What keeps it from entering the top 10 is that the team itself seemed more fun in the early PJ Fleck days than this current iteration, and you can add all the clever distractions you want to a classic white base, but a white base it still remains. Thus, Minnesota has to find cooler, more eye-catching details and colorways to make a move next year. 12. Maryland Terrapins Helmet Rank: 9 Maryland may have the most enigmatic uniforms on this list, as while they still represent the pride of Maryland in the red, white, gold and black color scheme, the changing of the logo on the helmet drastically detracts from that aesthetic. The scripted "Terps" isn't terrible, but one would be remiss by not thinking that if Maryland kept the state flag decals on the helmet, these uniforms would be even more of a winner. Although I must add, if we were rating these jerseys simply on the alternates, Maryland's black ones would be up there with the sleek off-white finish of the numbers and striped detailing on the sleeves. 11. Michigan State Spartans Helmet Rank: 6 We're starting to enter iconic territory on this list, as Michigan State is certainly a blueblood of the sport whose unis would be instantly recognizable to even a casual college football fan. However, the spartan logo is starting to carry the load a little to heavily as the spartan green and white scheme is getting old and a bit too bland aesthetically. As much as green is a fantastic color for a football jersey, Michigan State could be starting to beat it to death. The helmet saves it from dropping even further. 10. Oregon Ducks Helmet Ranks: 5 While many would expects the Ducks to be higher on this list, it has been their many attempts to modify their standard green and yellow over the past years that sees them in this spot. Whether it be their hideous neon green alternates in the CFP or their "Bumblebee" like first alternates, they do too much with simple colors. The Green Bay Packers the Oregon Ducks are not, and despite their recent on-field success, maybe simplicity is key when it comes to looking good on the field for the Ducks. 9. Purdue Boilermakers Helmet Rank: 13 Nothing beats a good black and gold color scheme, and I think no one does it better than the Boilermakers. Purdue fans should know that during a night game at Ross-Ade Stadium not that many years, the mystique of the black and gold meant they had a chance to play spoiler, thus giving their classic 2010s nickname, "The Spoilermakers." And even though that may not be the case at the moment, the Boilermakers still have the iconic feel that elevates them above heavyweight contenders on this list. 8. Washington Huskies Helmet Rank: 8 Washington's primary achievement with their uniforms is making two distinctly different colors work together in a highly textured manner. Whether it be the tinted gold helmets with the classic purple "W" on the helmets, to the boldness of the purple jersey and the gold pants, Washington is starting to become one of the most familiar uniforms within the Big Ten ranks. If they can get back to the CFP yet again, look for the aura of these unis to continue to rise. 7. UCLA Bruins Helmet Rank: 7 One of the classic in terms of aesthetic and simplicity, UCLA has mastered the minimalist look with maximalist boldness. Similar to Washington, the boldness of the gold-tinted helmet allows the scripted "UCLA" to stand out. The blue and gold detailing on the sleeves stand out against the bold true blue base. And to top it all off, there is truly nothing better than gold numbers with a bold white rim. UCLA is this high because of their "less is more" mentality, not in spite of it. 6. Wisconsin Badgers Helmet Rank: 11 Perhaps the best red and white combo in the conference, the Badgers pull off a white and cardinal look cleaner and simpler than certain bottom dwellers on this list. While certainly not the most appealing at first glance, you can soon come to terms with the idea of simplicity being best with a closer look. The helmet is a major plus with the pop of the "W" standing out against the white base. 5. USC Trojans Helmet Rank: 4 One of the most iconic jerseys of the '90s, when Leinart and Bush ruled the roost in the sport, the Trojans' classic logo and clean jerseys still have not lost their chic despite the lackluster nature of the Lincoln Riley era. The trojan logo in and of itself elevates the whole aesthetic. The pop of the cardinal-striped pant legs adds a nice touch with the beautiful gold numbering giving it a clasic touch that college football fans all around the country can appreciate. 4. Ohio State Buckeyes Helmet Rank: 3 The scarlet and grey of Ohio State are one of the most quintessential uniforms in all of college football. Starting with the classic grey helmet with the nice buckeyes touch when players make significant to the boldness of the all-scarlet look counterbalance by the white numbers and details on the sleeve, you can feel the almost branded nature of the Buckeyes unis. With muted simplicity, Ohio State has created a look that will remain seared in your memory. 3. Iowa Hawkeyes Helmet Rank: 10 Another gold and black combo, the Iowa Hawkeyes pull it off just a tad bit better than Purdue. The color uni is a classic counterbalance between the black shirt and the gold pant with the gold detail on the sleeve a stand out feature. Even the almost all gold alternate has a cool vibe with the black stripes across the chest a nice touch. And of course, you can't forget about one of the best logos in the sport, the classic black and gold hawk standing out on that all black helmet. Iowa's unis are equally parts frightening and fiery. 2. Michigan Wolverines Helmet Rank: 2 You had to know Michigan would be high on this list with their brilliant maize and blue combo. Both the color and white options are standing with the bold detailing of the stripes on the pant leg on the white and the classic maize numbers on the color ones makes for one of the most recognizable helmets not just in college football, but the world. Combine that with the No. 2 ranked helmets in our helmet rankings, and there's no way you can argue with this ranking. 1. Penn State Nittany Lions Helmet Rank: 1 You had to know this was coming right from the start! However, all biases aside, when you think of familiarity, beauty of simplicity, and an iconic aesthetic, Penn State has it all. When everyone's watching their games, they know who's on their television screens and the overall aura of the program. With this No. 1 ranking in both our uniform and helmets lists, Penn State has a clear message to the conference: sometimes, simplicity is best!
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule praises quarterback Dylan Raiola during radio appearance
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule praises quarterback Dylan Raiola during radio appearance Nebraska's head football coach had high praise for his starting quarterback. Matt Rhule made the comments about sophomore starting quarterback Dylan Raiola while appearing on the Jim Rome Show last week. Rhule not only praised his quarterback's leadership but also disclosed that multiple schools had contacted Raiola, despite his never entering the transfer portal. 'And everyone reached out to him. He could have taken the easy way out and left and gone into the portal and gone to someplace where he could start over where he doesn't have to do as much himself. But he chose to stick it out and fight." The quarterback will also work out with some elite talent later this month. Raiola will be attending the Manning Passing Academy on the campus of Nicholls State University from June 26 to June 29. The Cornhuskers' head coach also praised the off-the-field traits that Raiola has developed since the end of last season. "Where I see him growing is in the phases of leadership and the phases of mental toughness, handling adversity. I think he's going to have a great year." Nebraska will open the 2025 college football season on Thursday, August 28, when the Huskers face the Cincinnati Bearcats at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The kickoff time has not been determined yet. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
