Dylan Raiola responds to ongoing conversation about his physical shape: ‘It sucks’

There have been growing concerns about the weight of quarterback Dylan Raiola around the Nebraska Cornhuskers program. Those concerns have gotten back to the sophomore quarterback now, who has grown frustrated with the conversation.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule recently shared that “He won’t be a great quarterback at 240 pounds.” The narrative about Raiola, who is listed by Nebraska at 230lbs, ran wild from there, and it’s become a topic he’s ready to move on from.

“If I’m being honest, it sucks,” Dylan Raiola said. “I’m just being honest. It’s a constant grind every day. Sometimes you don’t see change right away. In this instance, a physical body standpoint doesn’t change in a day, it doesn’t change in a week, it doesn’t change in two weeks, not even three. It’s just the consistency of staying on it and keep going.”

Raiola came to Nebraska with massive expectations on his shoulders. As a freshman, through some growing pains, he was able to lead the Cornhuskers to a bowl game. However, there is obviously some concern that if he isn’t physically where he needs to be, then he won’t be able to repeat or improve on that effort.

“I’m just grateful for our strength staff, our nutrition staff, even my dad. My dad’s been involved heavily as well. It’s been a team effort — grateful. I feel amazing right now. Probably in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I feel great. Went on spring break, came back about nine or 10 lbs lighter. So, that was the emphasis, kind of getting away from the program and just always the soreness and all the lifting we do here, which is great,” Raiola said. “But kind of just to take that step. Like I said, it doesn’t happen in four weeks. That was probably week six or seven. Kind of all of a sudden snapped and here we are. It’s perfect timing, ready for spring ball.”

For his part, Matt Rhule is also upset with the conversation about Dylan Raiola’s weight. He has since clarified that he meant Raiola can’t afford to gain weight, not that he needs to lose weight.

“I felt really bad,” Rhule said. “I thought it was poor on some people’s part. If you went back and listened to what I said, I said ‘He knows he can’t be 240.’ I didn’t say he was 240. Some people ran with that and it’s unfortunate. I’m very marked with how I say things, I say things in a specific way. And all I said was he knows he can’t be something.”

Regardless, Dylan Raiola now appears to be the weight he wants to play at this upcoming season. Getting there, he implemented a unique blend of boxing workouts with his cardio and weight training.

“I think they correlate great together, the jump ropes and the foot strike and all those things. So, I’m cool talking about it,” Raiola said. “I’m happy where I’m at right now.”

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