The best thing Dylan Raiola said, plus a possible surprise starter

Dylan Raiola might have caught the attention of Nebraska football fans when he talked about the goals of the program being to win a national championship.

“National championship. That’s the bar that’s been set,” Raiola said to Hail Varsity at Big Ten Media Days. 

However, what opened my eyes the most is when Raiola started talking about his physical conditioning, and how that was a major focus during the offseason.

We have heard Matt Rhule talk about this before. His words were taken out of context, but the point was that Raiola was in the best shape of his life.

Of course, coaches and players often say that during the offseason. But on Tuesday, Raiola said something that should have Nebraska football fans very excited, and it’s not because he said the Huskers would be “explosive.”

“I know the fans will be excited to hear this but running. I’m going to be excited to run a lot more this year, being quicker and faster,” Raiola said.

Raiola doesn’t need to be Vince Young. But if he could force defenses to respect the QB run in the zone read, and RPOs, it would make a huge difference. Raiola occasionally ran for a first down on third down in 2024, but if he could do that more frequently, it would greatly improve the offense.

Being more athletic should also allow Raiola to buy more time in the pocket, or even escape it. That can be running, if the chance presents itself, but buying time for guys like Dane Key, Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney, and others will be just as impactful.

As I wrote recently, Nebraska football will go as Raiola goes this season. But after listening to Rhule and Raiola on Tuesday, Husker fans should feel good about that.

This season won’t look or feel at all like 2024. At least not for Dylan Raiola.

A possible surprise starter

Matt Rhule shed some light on the right tackle position. Gunnar Gottula, who started for most of the season at left tackle in 2024, will be healthy for fall camp. Teddy Prochazka will be ready to go too. Those players will compete with former transfer Tyler Knaak for the starting job.

Rhule said Knaack would get the first reps of fall camp. We’ll see if he gets the first reps in the season opener. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound junior has played in 17 games the past two seasons, mostly on special teams.

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