One is already an established star. The other is just getting started.
On Saturday in Lincoln, Neb., two of the most talented quarterbacks in the country will be on display when Colorado visits Nebraska (5:30 p.m. MT, NBC) in a long-time rivalry matchup.
CU’s Shedeur Sanders is a senior and projected by some as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is a true freshman with one game under his belt and a whole lot of potential in front of him.
The opposing coaches both know they’ve got their hands full in trying to stop the quarterbacks this week.
“He’s got a big-time arm,” Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said of Sanders during his weekly news conference. “He can use all 53 1/3 yards of the field (side to side), right? He can throw the ball from sideline to sideline. He’s got a great feel for the pocket. He moves in the pocket. He can hurt you with his feet, but he slides in the pocket to find guys that are open.”
Sanders, who began his career with two seasons at Jackson State before transferring to CU last year, threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns in CU’s season-opening win against North Dakota State on Aug. 29.
For his career, Sanders has thrown for 10,718 yards and 101 touchdowns. And, he has arguably the best receiving corps in the country, led by another projected top-five pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Travis Hunter.
“He’s got excellent weapons around him,” Rhule said of Sanders. “He’s courageous and tough. He’s an elite competitor. You’re probably facing two of the first five guys drafted in the draft this week. So he’ll certainly be up there.”
Raiola, meanwhile, was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class, rated by 247Sports as the No. 2 quarterback in the nation. He is the only one of the top 25 QB recruits in the 2024 class, per 247Sports rankings, who won the starting job for Week 1.
During a 40-7 win against UTEP on Saturday, Raiola completed 19 of 27 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns.
Dylan Raiola chats with supporters court side before an NCAA college basketball game between Nebraska and Indiana Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. Raiola recently signed with Nebraska football as a quarterback recruit. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
“The kid made some darn good throws, some pretty good plays,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said of Raiola. “They did some consistent things that we knew they would do within their offense, a phenomenal game. I mean, it started out back and forth a little bit, but they went ahead and did what they needed to do. But I love what he showed in this first college game ever. I love what he showed.”
Both quarterbacks are not only talented, but sons of NFL veterans.
Shedeur, of course, is the son of CU’s head coach, who is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and arguably the best cornerback to ever play the game.
Raiola is the son of former Nebraska lineman Dominic Raiola, who was a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2001. Dominic played 14 seasons with the Lions, making 203 starts — the first Lions player ever with 200-plus starts.
Growing up around the game, both have learned a professional approach as they hone their craft.
Even after a big game against NDSU, Shedeur said, “It was cool but every incompletion, it hurts me inside a little bit, for sure. … I’m excited for a win, but it’s definitely situations in that game I personally could have handled better. It’s throws I could have made, check downs I could have got to.”
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Rhule was pleased with Raiola’s debut, saying the freshman “played a complete game,” but is far from polished.
“There was a couple small things, but not much,” Rhule said. “I thought he was clean in the pocket, protected the football and still showed a level of aggressiveness that we want. Gave his guys a chance.
“Dylan will double down on his process and practice hard and get ready for the game and go out and play. We’ll go play as hard as we can, and I’m sure he’ll lay it all on the line.”
So will Shedeur, who threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns — and ran for another score — in the Buffs’ 36-14 win against the Cornhuskers last year.
“I’ve never met him before, but tremendous amount of respect for that guy, what he has to deal with, with everything that comes with being a Sanders,” Raiola said to local media. “I have a lot of respect for how he’s handled that. I think he’s an elite level quarterback and he’s going to give us everything we want.”
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