On the eve of Nebraska's Black Friday game, Matt Rhule addresses inquiries regarding Dylan Raiola's future.

Christian Standal

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Matt Rhule confronts questions about Dylan Raiola’s future on the eve of Nebraska’s Black Friday game image

TL;DR

  • Nebraska coach Matt Rhule denies knowledge of Dylan Raiola transfer portal rumors.
  • CBS Sports reports Nebraska is bracing for Raiola to explore leaving post-season.
  • Speculation intensified after Raiola's brother de-committed from Nebraska.
  • Raiola's season ended early with a broken leg; TJ Lateef is now starter.

As Nebraska prepares for its yearly Black Friday matchup against Iowa, head coach Matt Rhule encountered unanticipated inquiries regarding the future of his quarterback personnel. Rather than focusing on the concluding preparations for the season's last game, Rhule was questioned about a CBS Sports report suggesting that sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola might enter the transfer portal post-season.

During a media meeting in Lincoln on Thursday, Rhule stated he was unaware of the report and stressed that he wouldn't comment publicly on a player's personal choices.

“I haven’t seen that report,” Rhule said. “I don’t know anything about that. I would never get up here and talk about a player. I love Dylan, like I love all my guys. He is in there getting treatment right now. I don’t know anything about that.”

According to national college football insider Chris Hummer of CBS, Nebraska is “bracing” for Raiola to “explore leaving,”, as reported by anonymous sources. This speculation intensified after Raiola's younger brother, Dayton, a quarterback recruit for 2026, de-committed from Nebraska the previous week, only a few days prior to national signing day on December 3rd.

The timing of these rumors is particularly inconvenient for Rhule, whose Nebraska rebuild strategy emphasizes consistency and player growth. Under the new NCAA regulations, the transfer portal won't officially open until January 2, 2026, although players can declare their intentions prior to that. Should Raiola opt to enter, he wouldn't be listed in the portal until that specific date, with the window closing on January 16.

Raiola's season ended prematurely due to a broken leg sustained during the latter half of Nebraska's home defeat against USC on November 2nd. Prior to his injury, he had accumulated 2,000 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and a mere six interceptions, statistics that positioned him as a crucial element in Rhule's enduring strategy for the team.

Following his injury, Nebraska has gone 1-1 in games started by true freshman TJ Lateef, who has since become the primary starter.

With Nebraska shifting its focus to Iowa, Rhule is now tasked with maintaining his team's concentration amidst ongoing speculation concerning the future of his quarterback group. Regardless of Raiola's decision to remain or depart, this scenario highlights Rhule's crucial function in providing stability to the program during a period marked by uncertainty and intense pressure.

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Staff Writer