Nebraska Quarterback Dylan Raiola Opens at +5000 to Win the 2025 Heisman Trophy

The Husker signal caller would need to make a big jump in his sophomore season.

Dec 28, 2024; Bronx, NY, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws the ball during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Nebraska football quarterback Dylan Raiola is officially on the board for the 2025 Heisman Trophy.

According to Vegas Insider, Raiola is +5000 to win the Heisman in 2025. That means a $100 bet today on the Husker QB would pay the bettor $5,000 if he won the award.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola scans the Rutgers defense. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Raiola set Nebraska freshman records for passing yards (2,819 yards) and completion percentage (67.1). Overall, he ranked third on Nebraska's season completion percentage chart and seventh on NU's season passing yards list.

Those numbers are expected to improve in 2025. Besides the fact that Raiola will be another year older and wiser, having gone through a collegiate season, the pieces around him are, on paper, improved.

From a coaching standpoint, Raiola is now working with new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. As an OC for several years before becoming a successful head coach, Holgorsen's offenses had an average national finish of second in passing offense, third in total offense and sixth in scoring offense. All six of the offenses Holgorsen has coordinated have ranked in the top three nationally in passing, the top six in total offense and the top 13 in scoring offense.

Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers assistant coach Dana Holgorsen on the sideline during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Over his career, nine players quarterbacks have had a 3,000-yard passing season. Nebraska has had four such seasons in program history: Zac Taylor, 2006 (3,197 yards); Joe Ganz, 2008 (3,568 yards); Tommy Armstrong Jr., 2015 (3,030 yards); Tanner Lee, 2017 (3,143 yards).

Raiola's targets should also be improved in 2025. Through the transfer portal, the Huskers have added multiple wide receivers.

Wide receiver Dane Key (6) of the Kentucky Wildcats scored the Wildcats' second touchdown in the second half but the Cats fell short 20-13 to visiting Vanderbilt at Kroger Field Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 in Lexington, Ky. | Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Expected to make the biggest immediate impact is former Kentucky wideout Dane Key, who had 715 yards on 47 receptions in 2024. His teammate Hardley Gilmore IV has also switched to the Huskers. Gilmore caught six passes for 153 yards in his lone season in Lexington.

Also now in Lincoln is former California wideout Nyziah Hunter. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Hunter made 40 catches for 578 yards and five touchdowns.

That's without including the return of Jacory Barney Jr., who set the program record for receptions by a true freshman at 55 this past season. He finished third on the team in receiving yards at 447, behind the departing pair of Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor.

Nov 2, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. (17) makes a catch against UCLA Bruins defensive back K.J. Wallace (7) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

An offseason to improve with a dynamic offensive mind and better overall weapons. Raiola is likely to not be among those invited to New York, but he is set to take another step forward in 2025.

Other Odds

Quarterbacks dominate the top of the odds for the next Heisman, taking 17 of the top 18 spots. That includes LSU's Garrett Nussmeier at +800 as the favorite, Texas's Arch Manning at +900, Clemson's Cade Klubnik at +1000, and Tennessee's Nico Iamaleavea at +1400.

Dec 31, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) throws a pass during the first half against the Baylor Bears at NRG Stadium. The Tigers defeat the Bears 44-31. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The only non-QB in that bunch is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at + 1200. You have to jump down to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at +4500 for the next position player on the list.

Other Big Ten odds of note include Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at +1400, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore at +1800, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin at +1800.

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to pass in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Odds update periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

---

MORE: Nebraska Opens with 19th-Best Odds to Win the 2025-26 College Football Playoff

MORE: The I-80 Club Remembers Calvin Jones

MORE: Three Former Nebraska Football Players, One Future Assistant Advance to Super Bowl LIX

MORE: Nebraska Women's Basketball Continues to Receive Votes, Just Outside of AP Top 25

MORE: Big Ten Features Five Top 25 Programs, Auburn Claims All First-Place Votes in AP Poll

---

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.