Latest news with #DylanRaiola
USA Today
20 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska football sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola named to Maxwell Award Watch List
A Nebraska sophomore quarterback was named to an award watch list. Dylan Raiola was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List on Monday. The Maxwell Award was established in 1937 and is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football. "The award is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, a distinguished sportswriter and influential figure in college football." Raiola enters the 2025 season after a successful freshman campaign. He threw for 2,819 yards and 13 touchdowns while finishing as a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year. The quarterback is looking to become the second Husker to win the prestigious honor. I-back Mike Rozier won the Maxwell Award in 1983 after running for 2,295 yards and 29 touchdowns. Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced on Nov. 11, 2025. The three finalists will be named on Nov. 25, 2025. The winner will be unveiled on Dec. 11, 2025, at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, DJ Lagway: Where the 2024 blue-chip quarterback recruits stand
Year 2 has become a well-established inflection point for most college quarterbacks. By the end of their second season on campus, they have typically completed two spring practices, two training camps and two actual seasons. By that point, coaches have an idea of what they have. And players know if they're on track to start — or at least compete for the starting role. Advertisement That's when business decisions are made. On both sides. The blue-chip quarterbacks from the 2024 recruiting cycle are set to start their second training camp. Some are in position to start, some have already been recruited over and some have already switched schools. Here's a snapshot of where they stand entering Year 2. Note: All rankings are from the 247Sports Composite. Recruiting ranking: No. 1 QB, No. 6 overall Where he stands: The Buckeyes have not named a starting quarterback, but Sayin — who signed with Alabama but transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban retired — is the favorite to claim the role. His main competition is junior Lincoln Kienholz, though true freshman Tavien St. Clair is waiting in the wings. Recruiting ranking: No. 2 QB, No. 7 overall Where he stands: Lagway is the face of the program at Florida and is one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the sport. This will be his first full season as the starter. Recruiting ranking: No. 3 QB, No. 21 overall Where he stands: Raiola had an up-and-down freshman season but is the unquestioned starter as he enters his sophomore season. There are valid reasons to believe he'll take positive steps forward this fall, especially since he will be working with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen for a full season. Recruiting ranking: No. 4 QB, No. 56 overall Where he stands: Noland is already at his second stop after leaving Ohio State in December. He'll definitely sit behind starter LaNorris Sellers, but the question is whether he can beat out Luke Doty and Cutter Woods for the backup role. Recruiting ranking: No. 5 QB, No. 59 overall Where he stands: Kromenhoek played a bit at Florida State last season but transferred once the Seminoles hired Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator and added Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos through the transfer portal. Blake Shapen is returning as Mississippi State's starter, so Kromenhoek will have to wait patiently for at least another year. Recruiting ranking: No. 6 QB, No. 68 overall Where he stands: Carr is in the middle of a competition with Kenny Minchey but is viewed as the favorite to start. Notre Dame has sky-high expectations after playing for the national championship last season. Recruiting ranking: No. 7 QB, No. 105 overall Advertisement Where he stands: Grunkemeyer was elevated to the backup role when Beau Pribula hit the transfer portal last December. Theoretically, he should be in line to serve in that capacity again this season, but he has to hold off third-year sophomore Jaxon Smolik in camp. Recruiting ranking: No. 8 QB, No. 107 overall Where he stands: The Bears have an established starter in Sawyer Robertson, one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12. White transferred from Auburn after one season and will have to compete with Nate Bennett, the only other quarterback on the roster who threw a pass last season, for the backup role. Recruiting ranking: No. 9 QB, No. 112 overall Where he stands: With the arrival of five-star freshman Bryce Underwood, the favorite to start, and Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene this offseason, Davis has become something of an afterthought. The Wolverines also signed ECU transfer Jake Garcia for an added veteran presence this spring as well, so it's a very crowded path for Davis. Recruiting ranking: No. 10 QB, No. 114 overall Where he stands: Puglisi is competing for the starting role, but Gunner Stockton, who started the Sugar Bowl, is widely viewed as the leader. Recruiting ranking: No. 11 QB, No. 160 overall Where he stands: Nico Iamaleava's departure this spring left this job wide open. Merklinger will compete with UCLA/Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar and true freshman George MacIntyre for the role. Recruiting ranking: No. 12 QB, No. 205 overall Where he stands: Williams signed with Arizona and followed coach Jedd Fisch to Washington. He started the final two games of the 2024 season and showed some really encouraging signs. He's a potential star in the making for the Huskies. Advertisement Recruiting ranking: No. 13 QB, No. 226 overall Where he stands: Hammond earned some valuable experience while serving as the backup during the regular season and then started the Liberty Bowl loss to Arkansas. With Behren Morton returning, Hammond will remain the backup. Recruiting ranking: No. 14 QB, No. 234 overall Where he stands: According to the Indy Star, Cherry suffered a knee injury during prep for the College Football Playoff opener at Notre Dame and will serve as a student assistant during the 2025 season while he recovers. Recruiting ranking: No. 15 QB, No. 239 overall Where he stands: Van Buren gained valuable experience at Mississippi State last season but transferred to LSU in the offseason, giving him a chance to learn behind Garrett Nussmeier before the job opens in 2026. Recruiting ranking: No. 16 QB, No. 247 overall Where he stands: Brown is the only quarterback on the roster who threw a pass for the Cardinal last season, but Stanford has added transfers Dylan Rizk (UCF) and Ben Gulbranson (Oregon State). Both are experienced and could push for the job. Recruiting ranking: No. 17 QB, No. 279 overall Where he stands: Davis signed with Washington but transferred to UCLA when Kalen DeBoer took the Alabama job. He transferred again in late May after the Bruins added Nico Iamaleava. He's now at Hawaii, where he will compete with Micah Alejado. Recruiting ranking: No. 18 QB, No. 280 overall Where he stands: Wilson started seven games after Cam Rising's season-ending injury last season, but both he and the offense struggled. Utah went to New Mexico to bring in offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier. Wilson decided to stay at Utah but will sit behind Dampier this fall. Advertisement Recruiting ranking: No. 19 QB, No. 295 overall Where he stands: Hejny spent one season at TCU before transferring to Oklahoma State, where he is in the mix for the starting role. Former Horned Frogs assistant coach Doug Meacham is now the Cowboys offensive coordinator, and that familiarity might give Hejny a leg up. Recruiting ranking: No. 20 QB, No. 297 overall Where he stands: Hawkins started four games last season but was raw and thrown into the fire a bit too early. Oklahoma brought in Washington State transfer John Mateer, so Hawkins will serve primarily as the backup once again this season. 21. Trey Owens, Texas (No. 299) 22. Miles O'Neill, Texas A&M (No. 308) 23. AJ Maddox, Ole Miss (No. 337) 24. Cutter Boley, Kentucky (No. 344) 25. Colin Hurley, LSU (No. 357) 26. Trever Jackson, Arkansas (No. 391) 27. Marcos Davila, Nebraska (No. 400) 28. AJ Surace, Rutgers (No. 419) 29. CJ Bailey, NC State (No. 432) 30. KJ Jackson, Arkansas (No. 457) 31. Mabrey Mettauer, Sam Houston (No. 462) 32. Samaj Jones, Cincinnati (No. 472) Texas, Texas A&M and Ole Miss each added veteran quarterbacks this offseason, so Owens, O'Neill and Maddox have work to do if they want to claim the backup job for their respective programs. Zach Calzada is in line to start at Kentucky. Boley played some valuable snaps last fall but will get this season to develop. Hurley was injured in a car accident in January but has rejoined the team at LSU. He'll be behind Nussmeier and, presumably, Van Buren. Trever Jackson (Florida State) and Davila (Purdue) have already transferred from the schools they initially signed with and are now sitting behind established starters at Arkansas and Nebraska, respectively. Surace remained at Rutgers but will have to wait patiently behind starter Athan Kaliakmanis. Advertisement Bailey was one of the most promising true freshman quarterbacks in the country last season and will be a significant piece of NC State's future. KJ Jackson is poised to be Arkansas' backup, even with the arrival of Trever Jackson. Mettauer signed with Wisconsin but transferred to Sam Houston after the 2024 season with former Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who is now the Bearkats head coach. Jones will compete with Brady Lichtenberg for the backup role behind Brendan Sorsby at Cincinnati. (Top photo of CJ Carr: Michael Caterina / Imagn Images)
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska placed in the middle of the pack in preseason Big Ten power rankings
Nebraska football is only five weeks from kickoff, and preseason power rankings have begun to take shape. USA TODAY Sports put together their power rankings for the Big Ten Conference on Tuesday, and Nebraska is ranked sixth in Paul Myerberg's latest breakdown. The Huskers aim to build on a 7-6 season in 2024, which saw them win their first bowl game since 2015. Now, second-year quarterback Dylan Raiola looks to take charge with new faces on offense and a full season under coordinator Dana Holgorsen. The defense has also received upgrades, headlined by the hiring of new defensive coordinator John Butler, who replaces Tony White after White departed the program to join Florida State. All of this sets the stage nicely for Matt Rhule to succeed in his third season. Myerberg was kind to the Huskers in his piece and broke down their chances. "The Cornhuskers are climbing the ladder under third-year coach Matt Rhule, whose previous teams at Temple and Baylor popped in his third season. Dylan Raiola will take a leap in his sophomore year and the offense should shine under coordinator Dana Holgorsen, but line play on both sides will decide Nebraska's fate." Line play will indeed be an essential part of the program's fate moving forward. Changes to the lines were a focus of the program throughout the offseason, and they will be one of the many interesting subplots for the program in what is a crucial season for development. 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 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.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Dylan Raiola mirrors Patrick Mahomes like Kobe Bryant did Michael Jordan ahead of Arrowhead Season opener
Raiola begins his 2025 season at Arrowhead Stadium against Cincinnati (Image via: Getty images) Before he's even cemented his place as Nebraska's starting quarterback, Dylan Raiola has already captured national attention—not just for his talent, but for who he's trying to become. Raiola has drawn early comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes , and he's not running from it. In fact, he welcomes the parallel and has a very specific way of framing it. Dylan Raiola studies Patrick Mahomes the way Kobe Bryant studied Michael Jordan Speaking during Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, Raiola compared his admiration for Mahomes to Kobe Bryant's relentless pursuit of Michael Jordan's greatness. 'I'm not comparing myself to Kobe or anything, but like Kobe did to Mike, that's kind of what it is for me to Patrick,' he said on the Cover 3 Podcast. 'He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league right now, if not the best.' It's more than just watching highlight reels. Raiola works with the same trainers who helped shape Mahomes into a Super Bowl champion—quarterbacks coach Jeff Christensen and performance coach Bobby Stroupe. He studies Mahomes' film, mimics his movements, and has even adopted the signature Mahomes look—jersey number 15, headband, and curly hair. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Franklin India NFO Investment Franklin Templeton India AMC Learn More Undo Dylan Raiola Compares His Relationship With Patrick Mahomes To Kobe Bryant And Michael Jordan The connection isn't just visual. Mahomes and Raiola have built a real relationship. Mahomes once referred to Raiola as 'Lil cuzzo' on social media, and the two reportedly text and call regularly. Raiola says he values that line of communication but understands he must carve his own path on the field. FAQs Who is Dylan Raiola compared to in terms of playing style? Dylan Raiola is frequently compared to Patrick Mahomes due to similarities in playing style, appearance, jersey number, and even pregame routines. Raiola embraces the comparison and studies Mahomes closely as part of his development. What did Dylan Raiola say about Patrick Mahomes and Kobe Bryant? Raiola said he views his relationship with Mahomes similarly to how Kobe Bryant studied and modeled his game after Michael Jordan. He emphasized that Mahomes serves as a role model and blueprint for his own growth as a quarterback. When does Dylan Raiola make his 2025 season debut? Dylan Raiola and the Nebraska Cornhuskers will open their 2025 season on August 28 against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Dylan Raiola's journey faces first big test at Arrowhead Stadium The comparisons will be hard to ignore on August 28 when Nebraska opens its 2025 season at Arrowhead Stadium—Mahomes' home turf—against Cincinnati. It will be a defining moment for Raiola, who's coming off a freshman campaign marked by growing pains: 13 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 3-6 Big Ten record. Also Read: 'It hit me hard': Colts' Anthony Richardson addresses shoulder injury concern But for Raiola, the mission is clear. Just as Kobe used Jordan's blueprint to build his own legacy, Raiola is using Mahomes as inspiration—not imitation. With the tools, mindset, and mentorship in place, all eyes will be on him when the lights come on at Arrowhead. Dylan Raiola's journey is just beginning but if his Mahomes-inspired approach pays off, it could be the start of something special. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dylan Raiola expresses championship expectations for Nebraska ahead of the 2025 season
The Nebraska football team arrived at Big Ten media days on Tuesday in Las Vegas, sharing insight on the upcoming 2025 season. Nebraska finished 7-6 last season, winning the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl and putting together its first winning season since 2016. Sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola was joined in Sin City by offensive lineman Henry Lutovsky and defensive back DeShon Singleton. Raiola has already made headlines from the event due to his attire. When speaking to Avarie Howard of Hail Vasirty, the quarterback made it clear where the team's mentality is heading into the season opener on the road at Arrowhead Stadium. "National Championship! That's the bar that's been set. That's the journey we're going to choose to go on. Anything other than that won't be a failure, but we'll be a little disappointed." However, championship expectations are a bold statement, even considering head coach Matt Rhule's past third-year surges with Temple and Baylor. But it wasn't just the overall outlook on the season that Raiola addressed. He also discussed the steps the offense took this offseason and Dana Holgorsen's impact. "He's very quarterback friendly," Raiola said. "He's going to do what their strengths are. That's a big advantage. He's always making sure we're doing the right play. That's where I've taken the step, making sure if we have any bad plays, bad looks to get us in the right place." Raiola also addressed other aspects of the game that he and the team focused on during the offseason. The team's overall focus was on winning moments when the game was on the line. "Every game we played was close," Raiola said. "You either make the play to win the game, or you don't make the play and lose the game. So, putting ourselves in a position to do better has been a big focus." Raiola also talked about another goal he set himself for the season. "Running," He said. "I'm excited to run a lot more this year. I've been training my butt off to run and be quicker and faster." 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. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
