At times last season, Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola looked like the player he tried so hard to emulate: Patrick Mahomes. From play style, aesthetic, and even statistical success as well as highlight-reel plays, the Cornhuskers star looked the part he wanted to. That didn't last the duration of the season, but the flashes were there. Those flashes, as well as a new weapon in the transfer portal, have Raiola set up for a big year, and he could win the Heisman.
Dylan Raiola named good long shot bet for Heisman
The top Heisman contenders this year are Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik, Jeremiah Smith, Carson Beck, and Ryan Williams. There are plenty of others, but those players figure to easily be in the conversation. But they won't be the only ones, as long shots enter and sometimes linger in that conversation for a long time. Dylan Raiola could be one, according to CBS Sports insider Brad Crawford.
"If you're buying what Huskers coach Matt Rhule is selling about Raiola this summer, this one's worth exploring further. The sophomore quarterback is all-in on bringing Nebraska back to national prominence and showed flashes of elite arm strength as a five-star, first-year starter in 2024," he said.
The quarterback undoubtedly would've made a ton of money in the transfer portal since he can do so much in college football, but he passed on that and stayed loyal to the Cornhuskers. "Nebraska should be 3-0 with sparkling numbers for Raiola before hosting nationally-ranked Michigan at the end of September," Crawford said. "The transfer addition of ex-Kentucky wideout Dane Key, who caught 126 passes for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns over three seasons with the Wildcats, was an early Christmas gift for Raiola."
Raiola didn't have overwhelming numbers last year, but he did post a 129.9 rating as well as a 67.1% completion percentage. He'll have to up his yardage from 2,819 yards in 410 attempts and cut down on the 11 interceptions (to 13 touchdowns) he threw last year, but the makings of a potential Heisman contender are certainly there.