How much do profile pictures, follows, likes or interactions on social media matter? At what point does threading pieces together become crazy?
There’s some link between Nebraska and a different Class of 2024 quarterback. This follows news that No. 1 overall recruit Dylan Raiola may not make it to Nebraska’s or Oregon’s spring games. Arizona allows spring practices for high schools and baseball obligations may stretch the 5-star quarterback’s schedule too thin to return to Lincoln. His schedule, meanwhile, allowed him to plan a an official visit to Georgia for June. As of today, he hasn’t publicly scheduled another official visit and changed his Twitter profile picture to show him receiving a snap while wearing a Georgia-branded towel.
It’s worth noting, Raiola has already attended a Nebraska spring game. The son of Nebraska Hall of Famer Dominic Raiola is aware of the game-day atmosphere at Memorial Stadium. Raiola’s profile picture change also shows him no longer in a Chandler High jersey. He transferred to Pinnacle High at the semester break and plans to play his senior season at Pinnacle, where South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler attended.
All the while, some Nebraska coaches and staffers followed 4-star quarterback Dante Reno from Ceshire Academy in Conneticut on social media. That includes head coach Matt Rhule, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Marcus Satterfield, defensive coordinator Tony White, running backs coach E.J. Barthel, defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, offensive analyst Christian Ellsworth, offensive analyst Adam DiMichele, director of football advancement Mike Wallace and director of player personnel Sean Dillon. Former Nebraska line coach Mike Dawson also follows Reno on Twitter. Three Ceshire Academy standouts attended Nebraska’s high-profile Junior Day in March. Reno just transferred there in February, about the time Nebraska started its push to bring recruits in for visits.
Reno committed to South Carolina last July, when Satterfield was the Gamecocks’ offensive coordinator. He remains committed to South Carolina while receiving new offers in February from North Carolina and Miami. Reno cited Satterfield and his pro-style offense a major reasons for committing to South Carolina. Reno is a dual-threat quarterback with multi-sport experience and his father, Tony, just coached his 11th season at Yale. He’s considered a fringe top-300 recruit in 2024 but Nebraska has yet to offer him. Historically, Rhule’s aggressive recruiting approach includes trying to flip recruits he wants.
Nebraska is still heavily invested in Raiola. The Huskers’ entire full-time coaching staff went to Arizona to visit him earlier this year, including nine in one trip. He soaked in the school during a surprise February visit and the star-studded Junior Day. Bellevue West quarterback Danny Kaelin, the only other 2024 quarterback with an offer from Nebraska, recently committed to Missouri amid interest from Nebraska.
It could be something, could be nothing. Only time will tell.
Recruit Watch
Nebraska recently offered Chris Cole, a 3-star linebacker out of Salem, Virginia. He is a 2024 recruit and high school teammates with 4-star running back Peyton Lewis, who visited Lincoln as part of Nebraska’s high-profile Junior Day. Cole announced his offer while on a visit to Miami. He’s scheduled to take an official visit to Georgia this summer.
Among the out-of-state recruits attending Tuesday’s practice was 3-star edge rusher Jordan Ochoa out of Castle View High School in Castle Rock, Colorado. Ochoa visited Nebraska last season but still hasn’t received an offer from the Huskers yet. He holds offers from Washington State, Wyoming, Toledo, Jackson State and Florida A&M thus far. Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa, Iowa State, Colorado and Colorado State have all reached out to Ochoa but haven’t offered him scholarships.
Had a great time today in Lincoln!! Thank you @HuskerFBNation for the hospitality, can’t wait to be back! @Coach_Knighton @HuskerCoachTW @Omeezi_ @Adam_DiMichele @RicoOchoa @SixZeroAcademy @CVFootballCoach #GBR pic.twitter.com/reV06TWcrw
— Jordan Ochoa (@Passrush4L) April 4, 2023
Omaha North 2025 lineman Tyson Terry attended Nebraska’s practice on Tuesday. He’s currently the top-ranked prospect from Nebraska in the 2025 recruiting class. Nebraska hosted other 2024 and 2025 recruits. Lincoln East senior Malachi Coleman and Omaha Westside senior Jaylen Lloyd, signees in Nebraska’s 2023 recruiting class, also attended Tuesday morning’s practice.
ICYMI
>> The Nebraska softball team fell in the final clash of its three-game series with Michigan over the weekend at Bowlin Stadium. Here are five takeaways from that series and the Huskers’ halted momentum.
>> Former Nebraska football coach Frank Solich is returning for Nebraska’s Spring Game later this month after relentless urging from athletic director Trev Alberts. It’s the latest movement made via Alberts’ persistent push.
>> Caleb Tannor attended Nebraska’s spring practice on Tuesday morning. He’s still in Lincoln after making his case for an NFL future during Nebraska’s Pro Day last month.
