For Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, the 2024 season was anything but smooth. A shaky offensive line, inconsistent play, and growing comparisons to standout quarterbacks such as Sam Leavitt only made his freshman campaign more difficult.
While Nebraska fans remain hopeful, some CFB analysts are not convinced that Raiola is on the right trajectory.
Following Nebraska‘s bittersweet season, which ended with a 23rd-place postseason quarterback ranking, Raiola‘s potential is now under scrutiny.
With analysts already comparing his numbers to Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, the pressure is mounting on Raiola to prove he’s capable of leading Nebraska to greater heights.
While Dylan Raiola remains a highly-touted prospect, CFB insiders Andy and Ari believe that Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt was clearly the better quarterback in 2024.
“He’s definitely not better than Sam Leavitt yet. No, Sam Leavitt is a lot better than Dylan Raiola was in 2024. It wasn’t even close. Sam Leavitt is the type of player who could really take the sport by storm next year,” they noted.
Leavitt‘s numbers not only outshine Raiola‘s, but his decision-making and consistency were significantly better. He took only 19 sacks compared to Raiola‘s 27, and his turnover-worthy plays were minimal. Leavitt also led ASU to a remarkable 11-win season and a College Football Playoff berth, proving that he thrives under pressure.
Meanwhile, Raiola was not even included in Nebraska’s top 10 returning players for 2025, further fueling the debate over whether he has what it takes to elevate the program.
Signs of growth
Despite the criticism, it’s too early to write off Dylan Raiola. The quarterback showed resilience in Nebraska’s 20-15 victory over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl, helping the team end their bowl drought.
In that game, Raiola quickly rebounded from an early interception, completing 22 of 30 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. His ability to recover under pressure and lead key drives highlighted why Nebraska’s offense still revolves around him.
One of his standout moments came in the third quarter, when he connected with Emmett Johnson for a crucial 13-yard touchdown, giving Nebraska a comfortable 20-2 lead. His decision-making, accuracy, and composure in the pocket showed glimpses of his potential, proving that he is far from a lost cause.
Raiola has drawn comparisons to NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes-not just for his arm talent and playmaking ability but also for his physical resemblance to the Kansas City Chiefs‘ star.