What’s the deal with Dylan Raiola and Nebraska?

A potential shock wave hit Nebraska football on Wednesday, just two days before the final game of the 2025 season, as CBS Sports reported that Dylan Raiola might not be back next season.

It’s not shocking. Not for those paying attention. Raiola’s younger brother, Dayton, who was set to enroll early and take part in bowl practices, reopened his recruitment with a decommitment last week.

That opened some eyes. Some said it wasn’t connected to Dylan, even though it came shortly after a strong performance by TJ Lateef. Despite the loss, Lateef was solid last Saturday, too, which made you wonder if a QB competition was coming next year.

I never thought Raiola would take part in a QB competition. It’s too risky. That’s probably why someone connected to his camp leaked his story to CBS Sports. No one from Nebraska did. You can guarantee that.

It was either an agent or the Raiolas. It doesn’t really matter. What does matter is the intent, because that was clear. Dylan Raiola has other options — other options that will pay him well.

It might be a ploy for more money. It feels to me like Raiola is saying, If you don’t appreciate me as the starting quarterback, I’ll go somewhere else.

Donovan Raiola, his uncle, is on the hot seat as the offensive line coach. The offensive line hasn’t been great. Dylan had games in which he was sacked eight and nine times. Some of those sacks were also his fault, and through two seasons, he hasn’t necessarily lived up to his part as a program-changing quarterback.

Raiola took a big step forward this season. He completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,000 yards (222 per game). Against Big Ten teams in his career, Raiola had 17 touchdown passes compared to 15 interceptions. He’s also under seven yards per pass attempt.

In short, Raiola hasn’t been the savior, even if he advertised himself as one, along with many others. Answering the question about what’s going on? It feels like a Raiola power play.

What it will be is a distraction, at the worst possible time for a team that desperately needs to beat Iowa. That’s what makes this even more disappointing. It could have waited until next week.

Yet, there are bigger things at play, and it doesn’t feel like those things have the best interests of Nebraska football at heart.

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