Nebraska Cornhuskers announce freshman Dylan Raiola will be the team's starting QB

Anticipation for the new college football season is hitting fever pitch, yet there has been a whirlwind announcement out of Nebraska ahead of their opening game against the UTEP Miners.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football program announced that Dylan Raiola would be their starting QB to begin the new season.

Whilst this was initially a shock due to the freshman status held by Raiola, there is also the small matter of the other players the Cornhuskers have at the position.

The 2023 college football season saw Heinrich Haarbery breakthrough as the starting quarterback for the Cornhuskers.

He completed 77 es from 157 attempted throws, throwing for seven touchdowns and rushing for 477 yards.

Haarbery was able to showcase his skills on the field, and going into his junior year many were expecting him to be a regular starter for Nebraska in 2024.

Why has the decision been made on Dylan Raiola this early?

Raiola, whilst only a freshman, is a five-star recruit who was considered as the no.2 quarterback in the United States and the seventh highest rated prospect in his age class.

Nebraska seemingly feel that Raiola is suitably ready to play for them, and they want to make the most out of his time with the team's program before he is drafted into the NFL.

"From a pure talent standpoint, Raiola should be viewed as a blue-chip pocket er than can be a true difference on Saturdays," Andrew Ivins of 247 sports detailed.

Raiola's first high-profile game will come in Week 2 when the Cornhuskers take on Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes, where the interest will be national.

Raiola is considered one of the best recruits in Nebraska's history, with the QB having previously signaled his intent to sign with the famed Georgia Bulldogs program, before changing his mind at the last moment.