Dylan Raiola’s figure isn’t looking great lately. At 6’3, 230 pounds, the Patrick Mahomes look-alike isn’t exactly the slimmest and fittest QB. And there’s no problem with that. But let’s be real — a recent clip of the Nebraska QB raised eyebrows about his conditioning. This is one of HC Matt Rhule’s concerns. And now, it’s not just him who’s rallying the 19-year-old’s need for change.
In a YouTube short by Hurrdat Sports on February 5, HuskersRadio content creator Damon Benning gave a piece of advice for Dylan Raiola regarding fitness. He said, “That’s why I started with Raiola when I said, you know, if one of your physically most gifted players, the natural leader, if he got like an elite level fitness, just imagine what that would do for the guys around him. You get the charisma, you get the know-how, you get the knowledge, you get the talent.”
via Getty LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – SEPTEMBER 7: Dylan Raiola #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers takes the field against the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Benning’s comments surfaced after a viral video of Dylan Raiola where he sparked concerns. The Huskers’ signal caller was filmed in a tight jersey that accentuated the extra weight he gained in the postseason. While he appeared to be healthy and fine, his shape is stirring concerns, particularly that beer belly look. This could cause distractions and hindrances for not just himself but his teammates if left unchecked.
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This past season, Nebraska secured their first winning season since 2016 with a 7-6 record But it wasn’t smooth sailing. Dylan Raiola began the 2024 season on a promising note with three consecutive wins before their first fall to Illinois. After rebounding with two wins over Purdue and Rutgers, Nebraska suffered a four-game losing streak followed by another win and a loss. The Huskers capped off the season with a 20-15 Pinstripe Bowl victory. Through it all, Raiola completed 67% of his passes and amassed 2,819 yards and 13 touchdowns. And while it’s not a total loss for Matt Rhule, he knows there’s another level to unlock.
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Matt Rhule’s concern for Dylan Raiola
Matt Rhule’s press conference speech on Dylan Raiola speaks volumes. He chalked out the areas of improvement saying, “Mastering himself, getting quicker, getting his weight to the proper weight, continuing to learn the offense, mastering his fundamentals.” Issues were apparent particularly during their season finale against Iowa. Despite a 10-0 halftime lead, the Huskers ultimately lost 13-10 after a last-second 53-yard field goal. Criticisms followed where fans slammed Raiola’s performance saying he failed to deliver a “Mahomes-like” performance.
Matt Rhule‘s concerns resonate with another Nebraska insider. “Dylan Raiola is going to slim down this summer,” Wilson Dittman observed. “But it’s interesting that Matt Rhule mentioned that he needs to go to his proper weight because it is probably the right idea again.” Following the mindset of Benning, he added, “I think him slimming down a little bit better, it’s going to be good for his mobility, good for his elusiveness, good for him to get outside the pocket, so that should be mentioned.”
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As Dylan Raiola enters his sophomore season, he has a challenge — get in peak condition and lead Nebraska to bigger things in 2025.
Dylan Raiola Pressured to Take Action on Fitness After Weight Concerns Pile up on Nebraska’s Matt Rhule
