Nebraska sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola was named to the Maxwell Award watch list Monday, just as preseason practice opened for the Huskers.
The Maxwell Award is awarded to the best all-around player in college football. The award, in existence since 1937, is named for Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and official. Only one other Nebraska football player, Mike Rozier (1983), has won the award. The winner of the award will be named at the ESPN College Football Awards Show on Dec. 11, 2025 in Atlanta, Ga. Semifinalists will be announced November 11, 2025, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 25, 2025.
Raiola returns after putting together a record-setting freshman campaign, as he guided the Huskers to their first bowl appearance since 2016. Raiola was a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year, setting school freshman marks in passing yards (2,819) and completion percentage (67.1). He led all freshmen nationally in completion percentage and was third in yards.
On the season, he completed 275-of-410 passes for 13 touchdowns. He posted career highs in both yards (297) and passing touchdowns (three) against Illinois. Raiola capped his freshman year by becoming the first true freshman to lead Nebraska to a bowl victory, as he completed 22-of-30 passes for 224 yards and a TD in the 20-15 Pinstripe Bowl win over Boston College.
This is the first in a slew of award watch lists to be announced during preseason practice.