Steven Sipple: Rhule handles QB situation superbly as Raiola keeps mind where it matters

Listening to Nebraska football coaches, there seems to be no rush to name Dylan Raiola the starting quarterback for 2024.

Which is just fine.

But you know what? It would also be OK if Nebraska second-year head coach Matt Rhule did announce Raiola as starter sometime in the next few days. My read is, the true freshman gunslinger has earned enough respect within the program — from teammates and coaches and others — that such an announcement by the head coach probably would be greeted with a collective forward head nod, then the train would keep rolling.

If I were a Nebraska fan, I would never worry about Raiola not showing up and working hard and doing what it takes to improve his game and build his leadership profile. He’s that guy.

He’s done an excellent job during his seven months in the program of keeping his mind on business.

“He’s just one of the guys,” said Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola , Dylan’s uncle. “He’s just working every day. He holds himself to a high standard, and what he says is really who he is.”

Um, Dylan Raiola also happens to have immense talent. There’s zero doubt about that part.

But I genuinely appreciate that Rhule isn’t rushing the process to name a starting quarterback. In effect, he’s showing respect to the other quarterbacks, most notably junior Heinrich Haarberg , who was 5-3 as Nebraska’s starter last season.

Rhule is handling the QB situation superbly, is my read.

Heinrich Haarberg embracing leadership role amid quarterback competition

Nothing wrong with making Raiola take a few more steps

It appears Haarberg has an inside track to be the top backup. No surprise there. It’s easy to respect Haarberg because of the respect he always shows the program. He respects his teammates and others, and respects himself. He stays in superb condition. He’s a physical specimen at 6-foot-5, 220-plus pounds. Plus, he keeps working to improve. You saw improvement in the spring game.

I’m guessing you’ll also see improvement from Haarberg come autumn. There’s a good chance Nebraska will need him at some point, and I’m talking about as a quarterback. By the way, I disdain the conversation about moving Haarberg to another position. Doing so would only take away repetitions at quarterback, the position of his choosing. It’s where he wants to excel.

Nebraska has no pressing need for another weapon at tight end or wherever — not with veterans Thomas Fidone and Nate Boerkircher and (sort of) Carter Nelson , the high-profile rookie. I say “sort of” with Nelson because Husker coaches are starting him out at receiver with plans to move him to tight end. NU has built a nice array of talent at the skill positions in general. Keep Haarberg at QB.

As for the quarterback position, Rhule has not only shown respect to the other QBs during the offseason, but also to the importance of competition. Rhule continually preaches the importance of players competing hard for playing time. Most coaches do the same. They preach the importance of competition, but their actions don’t always match what they preach.

By keeping the starting quarterback job open, Rhule shows respect to the process. Winning a job is a process. I’ll say it again: I think Raiola has done enough to earn the title of starting QB. But there’s nothing wrong with making him take a few more steps during the heat of preseason camp before making anything official.

Raiola looks ready to roll physically

Raiola will take those final few necessary steps. I say it with great confidence. I speak with great confidence about Raiola because of what I know about him and what I’ve heard consistently from Rhule and his father, Dominic Raiola, and others. I’ve written a ton over the years about Dominic Raiola, the all-time Nebraska center great (1998 to 2000). He was a ferocious competitor. His son inherited the fire, is my read.

The Raiola family is intent on helping Nebraska make a turnaround as a program. The family takes it personally. It fuels Dylan Raiola. Make no mistake, it’s a great picture for NU, and I’m fine with the whole picture as long as Dylan Raiola isn’t expected to carry the whole program on his back — the way it seemed for Adrian Martinez during much of his time in the Husker program.

It helps to know that Donovan Raiola is on hand daily. That’s real support. Same goes for his sister working in the athletic department. Family is everything to the Raiolas.

Yes, it’s time to infuse the program with the Dylan Raiola’s talent and overall approach. He’s in outstanding physical shape. That was apparent Friday as he appeared before media. But he needs help. In that regard, give Rhule and his staff credit for quickly stocking the offensive cupboard. It’s exciting that a quarterback with Dylan’s arm talent has a nice array of receivers — and to a lesser extent, running backs — at his disposal.

It’s a veteran offensive line. No excuses there.

This should be a fun offense to watch. Yes, I know what a mess the offense was last season. I believe we’re about to see a somewhat remarkable turn of events on that side of the ball.

Autumn brings about new set of realities

But, hey, I also know that autumn tends to bring about its own set of unique challenges. A season can get sideways in a hurry, as Nebraska fans have seen in recent years.

Nebraska will count on a fresh-faced freshman to guide it out of jams. Watch video of Dylan Raiola from Friday’s media appearance. He’s still got a baby face. I took note of it because I sometimes have to remind myself the kid is barely out of high school.

Thing is, he comports himself like a pro.

Something Glenn Thomas said Friday points up the notion of fine distinctions being important in life. He mentioned that Jalyn Gramstad , the most recent addition to Nebraska’s quarterback room, someday wants to coach.

As for Raiola, he wants someday to play in the NFL. To be a star in the NFL. He loves football. Loves the idea of making it a lucrative profession. His immediate goals are pure, as are his long-range ones. As an aside, I like the way he brushed off comparisons to Patrick Mahomes .

“Honestly, my focus right now is to work on our team, and keep getting better in camp,” he said. “I don’t want to get distracted on what we’re here to do.”

You see why I never worry about his approach? He’ll keep working no matter what. I think Rhule knows that. I think it’s partly why the coach doesn’t feel it’s necessary to rush to an announcement about who’ll lead the offense.

We all know where this is going, and the picture looks good — to this point, at least.

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