“This is probably one of the most talented quarterback rooms that we’re going to see.” That’s what the Big Ten Network’s (BTN) Howard Griffith had to say when the BTN crew visited Lincoln earlier this month.
With so many story lines and so much anticipation in the run-up to the season, it might have been easy to miss, but that is an absolutely incredible statement when you think about Nebraska’s offense – and quarterback play in particular – during the 2023 season. Transfer Jeff Sims had turnover and injury issues, and never really materialized as the guy Husker coaches hoped he would be. He departed after the season. Heinrich Haarberg – affectionately referred to as the warrior William Wallace on the Common Fan Podcast – battled admirably while leading the Huskers to five wins, but he lacked weapons around him, and wasn’t a perfect fit for what the Huskers wanted to do on offense. Chubba Purdy showed flashes when given the opportunity, but like Sims, has since left the program.
Staring down the barrel of a quarterback room with only one returning experienced player, there was quite a bit of offseason hand wringing about what Nebraska was going to do at the position going into the 2024 season. As most Husker fans know at this point, Matt Rhule went to work, and he didn’t disappoint. The story of the offseason, of course, was landing the 5 star, all world Husker legacy Dylan Raiola. I’ll never forget the news popping up in December, seemingly out of nowhere, that Raiola was suddenly reconsidering Nebraska. The smoke quickly turned into a fire that has engulfed the fan base for the entire offseason. Flipping Raiola from his Georgia commitment while also reeling in…