When will we see "IT" from Raiola?

[huskerj12]

FIRST OF ALL this is not a shit talking thread, it's a hopeful prediction thread. There is no doubt that Dylan Raiola has INCREDIBLE physical tools to become a "generational QB", he's clearly very smart and he has a great attitude, he embraces being the face of the program, hell yeah. My question however, is when might we see Raiola start to reach his extremely high ceiling on the field?

I'm looking forward to finding out what truly sets him apart and makes him a special QB, aside from making the easy passes look easy and taking what the defense gives him (which, I will note, is a very welcome quality at NU haha). Right now we're 14 games into his career as a starting QB, he’s a freak athlete with incredible skills and arguably our top recruit in like 30 years, I don't think I'm alone in wondering when we will see more levels to his already impressive game.

Some interesting stats:

Raiola's career yards-per-attempt: 6.8
Casey Thompson (while at NU): 8.8
Adrian Martinez (while at NU): 8.0
Tommy Armstrong: 7.6
Taylor Martinez: 7.5
Joe Ganz: 8.8
Zac Taylor (while at NU): 7.1

Raiola number of 300 yard passing games: 0
Thompson (while at NU): 3
Adrian Martinez (while at NU): 4
Tommy Armstrong: 6
Taylor Martinez: 4
Joe Ganz: 8
Zac Taylor (while at NU): 3

Of course we're running different offenses over the years and yada yada yada, but it's pretty much universally agreed that Raiola has the talent and pedigree that none of those other recent QBs had, and this year I think he should have the receiving talent to rival what those guys had around them. When do you foresee him making a noticeable "leap" into the type of star who can carry an offense on his shoulders and scare the shit out of other teams? What do you think he needs to improve upon to get there?

 

[SoCal_Corn]

MICHIGAN.

I hope.

 

[Poor_and_Stupid]

After he transfers or gets drafted.

Pain

 

[Baron Winnebago]

After he transfers or gets drafted.

Pain

 

[Huskers4420]

I think he'd reach his potential if he became a more willing runner, which he's never going to become because we can't risk him getting hurt. We run a lot of RPO, but the defense already knows Dylan is never keeping it in those situations. Feel like there'd be a lot more open looks (especially downfield) if the defense had to worry about him keeping it or designed runs on any given play.

 

[Kaladin]

I think he'd reach his potential if he became a more willing runner, which he's never going to become because we can't risk him getting hurt. We run a lot of RPO, but the defense already knows Dylan is never keeping it in those situations. Feel like there'd be a lot more open looks (especially downfield) if the defense had to worry about him keeping it or designed runs on any given play.

He’s not that fast though. Hes just mobile enough to scramble for that first down when needed.

 

[whoboppin]

If he elevates, around the middle of this season when it clicks to mastery of the offense.

I think he is pretty close and just on the precipice, but we still need to see it. Just think of the Cincinnati game if Nebraska had 1-2 more big plays and they won something like 34-17.

 

[Tonkasker]

If he elevates, around the middle of this season when it clicks to mastery of the offense.

I think he is pretty close and just on the precipice, but we still need to see it. Just think of the Cincinnati game if Nebraska had 1-2 more big plays and they won something like 34-17.

Agreed, hit one bomb against cincy and he's at the back end of those overreaction heisman lists people put out after week 1. He played as well as he was asked and had one bad throw which is about as well as you can play in your first game of the season against a defense that took away most of his first reads. I thought it was really encouraging

I saw three passes that let me know he's going to make that step this year:
1. Backshoulder to Hunter when his guy fell down - amazing touch and perfect placement
2. TD pass to Hunter - same, perfect pass
3. TD pass to Key - less the pass and more the execution. Didn't see one sketchy redzone pass all day

He seemed to really up his accuracy. He gave almost everyone a perfectly catchable ball and played well in the redzone.

 

[ac husker]

I’m going with later this season.

 

[Poor_and_Stupid]

If he elevates, around the middle of this season when it clicks to mastery of the offense.

I think he is pretty close and just on the precipice, but we still need to see it. Just think of the Cincinnati game if Nebraska had 1-2 more big plays and they won something like 34-17.

What’s funny is he could have played exactly the same game, but if Hunter would have scored on that back shoulder instead of falling down the narrative around Dylan would be completely different.

 

[herbsinator]

I’m going with we’re already seeing it and I’d take him over all of the other QBs listed in the OP in a heartbeat.

 

[Huskers4420]

He’s not that fast though. Hes just mobile enough to scramble for that first down when needed.

Well then just run faster damn it

 

[doublewing]

Dylan has great potential and is already a great intermediate passer. It is the deeper throws and long balls which he is not adept at throwing from what we've seen thus far. It seemed like most of his deep throws last year would be floaters the WR would come back to, not bombs that hit them in stride.

For his running, he's not the most athletic guy but could pick his spots better on when to run and slide. I don't think it's as much of a liability as some make it out to be.

I'm happy he's our QB and think he can improve as he's just a SO.

 

[whoboppin]

Agreed, hit one bomb against cincy and he's at the back end of those overreaction heisman lists people put out after week 1. He played as well as he was asked and had one bad throw which is about as well as you can play in your first game of the season against a defense that took away most of his first reads. I thought it was really encouraging

I saw three passes that let me know he's going to make that step this year:
1. Backshoulder to Hunter when his guy fell down - amazing touch and perfect placement
2. TD pass to Hunter - same, perfect pass
3. TD pass to Key - less the pass and more the execution. Didn't see one sketchy redzone pass all day

He seemed to really up his accuracy. He gave almost everyone a perfectly catchable ball and played well in the redzone.

Part of it is just luck/small things. Barney fell down on a play that was going for at 40-50 yards if not 70 for a TD. Hunter jumped up for a ball, if he gets his feet, that may be 6. Probably a couple other players if Raiola led the players slightly better it could have led to bigger plays.

He has great touch, we havent ever had a QB that could throw 80% in a game with that many passes. Little tweaks here and there and he should be good. If he is able to elevate, that puts pressure on the other sides offense to make riskier plays as well to keep up.

 

[Kazman5k]

When he stops pulling his pants up like mahomes and lets his ass cheeks hang out in his opponents face

 

[MaxHuskers34]

When he stops pulling his pants up like mahomes and lets his ass cheeks hang out in his opponents face

I think Dylan is really just ragebaiting on purpose now which I'm a fan of him doing. Even his new profile picture on Instagram is the ultimate rage bait for the people that love to slobber all of the Mahomes cosplay jokes.

 

[whoboppin]

When he stops pulling his pants up like mahomes and lets his ass cheeks hang out in his opponents face

Is that a serious post?

Raiola obviously mimics Mahommes, but a lot of stuff people point out is so weird. The originally jokes was a funny observation but in reality, he just has a brocoli haircut that like 60% of Gen Z have, is wearing sunglasses, and a white shirt.

"Look at Raiola, he is wearing sunglasses that are in style that like 90% of kids wear, what a weirdo trying to be like Mahommes."

"Raiola is wearing a white shirt and shorts, looks at this picture of Mahommes wearing red shits and shorts, Raiola is such a creep."

 

[Kaladin]

Is that a serious post?

Raiola obviously mimics Mahommes, but a lot of stuff people point out is so weird. The originally jokes was a funny observation but in reality, he just has a brocoli haircut that like 60% of Gen Z have, is wearing sunglasses, and a white shirt.

"Look at Raiola, he is wearing sunglasses that are in style that like 90% of kids wear, what a weirdo trying to be like Mahommes."

"Raiola is wearing a white shirt and shorts, looks at this picture of Mahommes wearing red shits and shorts, Raiola is such a creep."

Don’t think it’s serious

I do think DR is ragebaiting as others have alluded to

 

[Kazman5k]

Is that a serious post?

Raiola obviously mimics Mahommes, but a lot of stuff people point out is so weird. The originally jokes was a funny observation but in reality, he just has a brocoli haircut that like 60% of Gen Z have, is wearing sunglasses, and a white shirt.

"Look at Raiola, he is wearing sunglasses that are in style that like 90% of kids wear, what a weirdo trying to be like Mahommes."

"Raiola is wearing a white shirt and shorts, looks at this picture of Mahommes wearing red shits and shorts, Raiola is such a creep."

This Twitter account post strictly ragebait to get interactions. I just thought it was funny

 

[whoboppin]

This Twitter account post strictly ragebait to get interactions. I just thought it was funny

Okay, I thought it was a joke when I first saw it, but wasn't sure because that is how some of the criticisms feel to me.