To quote from the movie “Jerry Maguire,” as I’ve done before: “Show me the money!”
It characterizes college athletics nowadays. Show me the NIL. What can you offer me to enroll at your institution? My loyalty to you will have a dollar sign attached to it, as well as a commitment on your part to give me the opportunity indicated by that dollar sign. The transfer portal will ensure that.
Developing players over time is rare. In football, if they are not on the field by year two…
The term “student-athlete” is fading. Academics are secondary. Back in the day, athletes competed for the institution. Now they compete for the name on the back of the jersey. They can talk of their love of teammates, coaches and school. But such love can be quickly dismissed.
This for a lead-in to reports Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola will enter the transfer portal Jan. 2, 2026. I’ve yet to see anything official, but I’ve seen enough reports.
I was surprised. And I wasn’t.
If it’s not true, Raiola would almost certainly use social media to deny it. Turns out he did, and then took it down I’m told. Anyway, folks began to wonder after brother Dayton withdrew his commitment to Nebraska and then Matt Rhule fired uncle Donovan Raiola from his position as the Huskers’ offensive line coach.
Also, there was the play of freshman TJ Lateef, who stepped in at quarterback after Dylan suffered a season-ending broken fibula in Nebraska’s loss to USC. Programs can’t afford two high-priced quarterbacks, nor would the one ending up number two on the depth chart want to stick around.
I heard rumors Lateef made a two-year commitment when he signed with Nebraska.
So let’s start there. Would Raiola leave because he was concerned about losing his starting status because of injury? Doubtful. Though he would have to compete for the job, as all players do, he’d start the competition atop the depth chart. Starters don’t lose jobs because of injury.
Raiola’s numbers speak for themselves. In 22 consecutive starts over two seasons, he completed 69.1% of his passes for 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns, with 17 interceptions. In nine games last season, he passed for 18 touchdowns, with only six interceptions. Passing was his game.
Lateef added a running threat. Still, Raiola earned the starting job.
I began with the Jerry Maguire quote because, I said, it characterizes this era of college athletics. But I’m not sure it applies in Dylan’s case. More likely he’d be looking for a program with national championship potential, which could improve his draft status.
That’s another aspect of college athletics, performance to attract professional teams. Running back Emmett Johnson opted to bypass his senior season in favor of the NFL Draft, with Matt Rhule’s blessing. Johnson drew sufficient attention for his play this season to earn several awards, including being named to the Walter Camp All-America second team and the Sports Illustrated All-America first team. He also earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition three times, a true student-athlete.
In any case, I’m thinking Raiola’s decision had more to do with program potential than money or concerns about his competition with Lateef. And maybe family matters — Dayton’s decommitment and Donovan’s firing — were factors. Dad Dominic’s advice surely entered in.
Regardless of the reason, or reasons, Dylan will enter the portal, if reports are verified (which could be the case when you read this). I’ll continue to follow his career in a positive light, wish him all the best. Such a decision is hardly an aberration in college athletics. And Dylan was always an engaging interview during media availabilities, even if his comments about being a Husker were overstated.
