Nebraska Cornhuskers Signing Day: Grading the recruiting class, led by 5-star QB Dylan Raiola

The Nebraska Cornhuskers signed their highest-rated recruiting class since 2019, a group that is ranked No. 18 nationally in the composite rankings.

But even that lofty ranking doesn't do justice to some of the underlying positives in a stellar class put together by Nebraska coach Matt Rhule and his coaching staff.

Here's a look at the position-by-position grades for the Cornhuskers:

Quarterback: A+

This may be the most solid "A+" grade of any position group in America.

Why?

Because of what Buford (Georgia) five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola means to the program.

Rated the nation's No. 7 overall prospect, Raiola is the son of Nebraska legend Dominic Raiola.

After a long-time commitment to Georgia, and a transfer to local Buford, Raiola experienced a late change-of-heart and flipped to the Cornhuskers, making him arguably the No. 1 pledge in program history.

Nebraska added depth to the position by flipping Bellevue West (Nebraska) signal-caller Daniel Kaelin from Missouri earlier in the process.

Running back: INC

Nebraska added Cross County (Nebraska) fullback Izaac Dickey, but that's not the whole story.

The biggest acquisition came via the transfer portal, as the Huskers secured the commitment of talented Oregon Ducks freshman standout Dante Dowdell.

The Ducks had a loaded running back room this fall, but Dowell showed plenty of potential, rushing for 90 yards and a scores on just 17 carries (5.3 yards per carry).

He's got a chance to be special.

Wide receiver/tight end: A-

Nebraska took big swings at the receiver position, offering nearly 50 receivers during the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Landing Kaelin at quarterback helped the Cornhuskers secure his top two receiving targets, Bellevue West (Nebraska) duo Dae'vonn Hall and Isaiah McMorris. 

Miami Palmetto (Florida) four-star athlete Jacory Barney Jr. projects as an explosive slot receiver.

He signed with Nebraska over heavy pursuit from Miami and Texas A&M.

Montana product Quinn Clark adds some depth. 

Still, there was some miss in this group.

Unquestionably, the headliner of the pass-catchers came at the tight end position, as Ainsworth (Nebraska) star Carter Nelson is rated the nation's No. 3 player at his position (No. 49 overall). 

The 6-foot-4, 218-pound playmaker chose to remain in-state over offers from Alabama. Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and others.

Nelson is arguably the biggest in-state "get" in modern program history.

Liberty North (Missouri) jumbo pass-catcher Keelan Smith and Taylor (Texas) athlete Ian Flynt were nice pieces to the puzzle. 

Offensive line: A

How badly did Nebraska want Logan-Magnolia (Iowa) four-star offensive tackle Grant Brix.

Hoping to earn his attention, the Huskers parked a giant semi-truck at his school prior to his visit to Lincoln.

It seems to have worked. 

Brix is rated as the nation's No. 5 offensive tackle, but has the versatility to slide inside to become one of the country's most coveted guards. 

Waipahu (Hawaii) four-star interior offensive lineman Preston Taumua could easily develop into an all-conference player.

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman held offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and others. 

Klein Cain (Texas) interior offensive lineman Gibson Pyle accumulated more than 20 scholarship offers before choosing the Huskers. 

Florida Gators transfer Micah Mazzccua represents another big recruiting win. 

Nebraska added depth with Bishop Gorman (Nevada) offensive tackle Alexander Ruggeroli, Broomfield (Colorado) interior lineman Landen Davidson and Cedar Falls (Iowa) lineman Jake Peters. 

Defensive line: B

On Signing Day, the Cornhuskers picked up a celebrated commitment from Salpointe Catholic (Arizona) three-star edge-rusher Keona Wilhite, who also had UCLA as a finalist after decommitting from Washington. 

Elkhorn South (Nebraska) Ashton Murphy continued the program's elite run with in-state recruiting.

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound lineman has plenty of room to fill out.

Columbus (Florida) edge-rusher Willis McGahee IV held some impressive offers, including Auburn, Michigan and Tennessee.

Papillion-LaVista (Nebraska) giant Eric Ingwerson, a 6-foot-7, 245-pounder, seems to indicated Rhule's staff wants mammoth size up front - even if it takes some time to develop. 

Linebacker: C

In a loaded class, linebacker simply isn't the highlight of this class. 

Miami Central (Florida) star Vincent Shavers and Shadow Creek (Texas) playmaker Braylen Prude are quality pieces.

Stanford transfer Stefon Thompson adds potential impact to the group. 

Defensive back: B+

There's a lot to like in this deep group.

Overall, Nebraska signed nine defensive backs in its 30-man class.

The headliner of the group is versatile Rice Consolidated (Texas) star Roger Gradney, who committed almost a year ago and is already enrolled.

Cuthbertson (North Carolina) Evan Taylor has intriguing size at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds.

DeSoto (Texas) four-star cornerback Mario Buford held nearly 20 offers, highlighted. by Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Michigan State, Oregon, Washington and others.

Omaha Westside (Nebraska) safety Caleb Benning is yet another quality in-state addition in this class.

In-state recruiting: A+

A year after surviving a late scare to hang on to Lincoln East (Nebraska) four-star uber athlete Malachi Coleman, the Cornhuskers had a stellar showing locally.

Nebraska signed six of the top eight in-state recruits, highlighted by the top three - tight end Carter Nelson and wide receivers Dae'vonn Hall and Isaiah McMorris.

Given the degree of difficult of adding that trio, plus the value they served in convincing Raiola he'll have plenty of weapons in Lincoln, and the performance is unimpeachable.

Brillant! 

Overall: A

It's not a perfect class, but it's impossible not to notice an impressive step forward for the program.

Raiola remains arguably the nation's top recruit after holding that spot for more than year earlier in the cycle.

Adding a bonafide five-star quarterback - with family ties to the program - is, by itself, an all-time addition.

In what amounted to a big year for Nebraska high school football, the Huskers managed to keep the vast majority of the notable names at home, including All-American-caliber tight end Carter Nelson.

Beefing up the offensive line (and protecting Raiola) was a massive priority and both Grant Brix and Preston Taumau represent national victories.

The defensive front still has some questions, but the developmental pieces added to the fold could pay dividends down the road.

Needing to add athleticism to the defensive backfield, Nebraska signed nine DBs, including a couple of bluechip targets.

Overall, it's the best recruiting class in several years for the program, led by the program's best-ever national recruit and in-state signee.

What a group!