The Nebraska Cornhuskers may be in the running to get their most highly sought after recruit. It looked all but certain that the talented 5-star talent would be playing for an SEC powerhouse. For a Nebraska Cornhuskers team that is yearning to return to their glory days, they may be benefiting from an unexpected roster return, and rules that allow for an initial commitment to be reconsidered when a situation unfolds not quite how it was expected to.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Recruit Initial Decision
Dylan Raiola is a legacy recruit that the Nebraska staff put a lot of effort into recruiting. During the early part of the process, before his commitment to Georgia, he had singled Nebraska out as a team that made an impression on him. Most agreed that it was a de facto two way race between the Bulldogs and the Cornhuskers.
The appeal to join Georgia is obvious. They are a contending national contender that is able to recruit top talent at every position every year. It is hard to blame him for wanting to join a succeeding program, and build an NFL resume.
The connections and ties to Nebraska are much more organic, and this may prove to be the framework that end up in his commitment flip. His father, Dominic Raiola was a three year starter at center, playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He not only went on to play in the NFL for over a decade, but his jersey was retired at Memorial Stadium.
While here, Dylan not only respected the relationship he was developing with Coach Rhule, but could be seen enjoying the life of being a star athlete for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, as seen leading Go Big Red chants at the baseball game.
You can just go ahead and pump this straight into my veins. 🩸🌽https://t.co/J3VrYT1OkF
— Blackshirts (@blvckshirts) March 25, 2023
Nebraska Huskers Recruit Since Georgia Commitment
It all seemed straight forward, while he enjoyed his Nebraska visits, Georgia is just a better program at this point, with less uncertainty. In a good position to be a year one starter under Kirby Smart, the smart move was to gun for king of the SEC.
Surprising news shocked college football airways a little after the College Football Playoff announcement, Carson Beck would be returning for another year to play for Georgia, and not making the expected move to go on to the NFL.
Coming off of a one loss season, and experience in the same system, most assume that something earth shattering would have to happen for him to not be the 2024 starter. This opened up the possibility for the perspective incoming freshman Raiola to reevaluate his initial decision
Nebraska Huskers Current State
Monday evening, before the double header of Monday Night Football, Steve Wiltfong updated his recruiting prediction to Raiola now being favored to land as a Nebraska Cornhusker commit.
What possibly led to this change of heart for Raiola?
His connection to the school, his experience on campus, and with the staff, and his most important concern was answered throughout the 2023 season by another family member.
His uncle, Donovan Raiola, is the offensive line coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and really did a nice job developing the unit, as shown in his recent contract extension. Behind an improved line, with returning starters, and exciting pieces to work with on offense, the only concern looks to be taken care of by familiar familial hands. (Be on the look out for his talented brother Dayton as well!) As a pro- style quarter back, with a huge arm, he is mobile enough to extend plays with his feet, but he likely just needed to see reassurance that he wouldn’t be running for his life all season long.
Whether he comes, starts, or has to beat out anyone else for the starting job, it seems that the openness and honesty of this Matt Rhule staff is what is keeping players from leaving Lincoln, and at the moment, even attracting potential top talent, to possibly help bring back the Nebraska Cornhuskers to how they looked when Dylans’ father played.
