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Freshman Dylan Raiola has been named Nebraska's starting quarterback, the team announced Wednesday. The long-expected move puts the former five-star prospect under an early microscope as the Cornhuskers seek to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2016.

Originally committed to Georgia, Raiola flipped his commitment to the Cornhuskers in December and began dazzling during spring practice. His top competitor for the job was junior Heinrich Haarberg, who played in 10 games for the Cornhuskers last season.

Early on, it was evident that Raiola might be the man to beat. The 6-foot-3 signal-caller connected on 16 of 22 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in the Cornhuskers' spring game. Still, Rhule was hesitant to publicly anoint him the starter, saying as recently as Aug. 17 that, "we have three guys who we feel like can lead us to win."

Based on sheer talent, however, Raiola stood out in the competition before he ever stepped foot on campus. He finished the 2024 recruiting cycle ranked the No. 7 overall player and No. 2 quarterback by 247Sports. He is considered the program's second-highest rated commitment of the 247Sports era.

While there is clearly superstar potential within Raiola's orbit, the Cornhuskers also need a QB who can handle the basics. Three players split quarterback reps for the team last season, but none of them threw more touchdowns than interceptions as Nebraska finished 129th nationally in turnover margin at -17. Thus, Raiola's job starts with merely taking care of the football as the Cornhuskers seek to make progress in Rhule's second season.

Nebraska opens the season on Aug. 31 against a UTEP team picked to finish ninth in Conference USA. While that contest will provide Raiola with a manageable debut, the pressure intensifies with a Week 2 visit from Colorado.

Family legacy

Raiola's emergence as Nebraska's starter marks the beginning of a new chapter in his family's legacy with the program. His father, Dominic Raiola, earned All-America honors while playing center for Nebraska in 2000. His No. 54 jersey was retired by the school after playing a key role on some of the program's last nationally elite teams.

Dylan's uncle, Donovan Raiola, is entering his third season as Nebraska's offensive line coach. Both of the older Raiola brothers played in the NFL, and Dylan has all the makings of a future pro himself. 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins likened Raiola to Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Here is more on his game from Ivins' scouting report:

From a pure talent standpoint, should be viewed as a blue-chip pocket passer that can be a true difference-maker on Saturdays and potentially even Sundays. However, has to block out the noise and buy into the process while remaining self-confident in his abilities after attending four different high schools in three years. Tape frequently shows someone that's ahead of the curve, but will likely need some time to get adjusted to the speed of the college game. Still, has the size and tools to play early at the next level, especially if he quickly progresses as a full-field reader.

As if Raiola's family pedigree wasn't already strong enough, Stafford is also his godfather after forming a close relationship with Dominic Raiola during their time as teammates with the Detroit Lions. Ivins pointed out that Dylan Raiola moves "better than expected" for his size and can throw comfortably from different arm slots. 

Perilous territory

Instances of true freshmen at big-name programs winning starting quarterbacks jobs out of preseason practice are rare in recent years, and last year's examples are cautionary tales for Nebraska. Arizona State turned to Jaden Rashada, who posted mixed results during an injury-marred campaign before transferring to Georgia. UCLA tabbed five-star Dante Moore as its Week 1 starter last season, but he also dealt with injuries and inconsistent performance before transferring to Oregon. Both players are poised to be backups at their new schools in 2024.

Freshmen at all positions have faced tough acclimations to college football in recent years as fifth and sixth-year players benefitting from the extra season of eligibility provided amid the COVID-19 pandemic have filled rosters around the country. While former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams shined as a freshman for Oklahoma in 2021, he didn't begin the season as the starter and got his feet wet in mop-up duty before getting thrown into the fire in a pivotal spot against Texas midseason. 

Like Raiola, Williams ranked as the No. 2 prospect in his class. His career serves as the example of the upside that can come with playing a true freshman quarterback early in their career. But the uneven campaigns of Moore and Rashada from last season illustrate how relying on an unseasoned player at the game's most important position can make for a rocky ride.