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Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was heard possibly throwing shade Dylan Raiola’s way after the first day of the early signing period. He doesn’t believe he’d be a fit with the Hawkeyes due to his habit of high school hopping.
A number of Nebraska fans have come to the defense of their newly signed passer, ripping Ferentz in the process.
The Cornhuskers landed one of the top flips of the week when Raiola opted to change his commitment from Georgia. His pledge helped boost the Nebraska class to 23rd in the nation, giving them a headliner in the 30-man group.
His flip to the Huskers wasn’t the first of his recruiting cycle, however. His initial commitment was actually to Ohio State back in May of 2022. Seven months later, he backed off that pledge.
He’d commit to the Bulldogs this past spring before changing his mind one last time.
The indecision isn’t unique to that recruitment, however. Raiola played for three different high school programs before signing as the nation’s top quarterback prospect.
Kirk Ferentz was asked about his drama-free signing day on Wednesday, and he might’ve thrown shade at Raiola’s tendency to bounce around.
At the 1:23 mark: “if any of our coaches come in and start talking about a guy that’s been to 3 high schools in 3 years… those kinds of things are things that you really need to get answers for I think” – Kirk Ferentz on Dylan Raiola
pic.twitter.com/Ogb3nNY4Oj— 247Huskers (@247Huskers) December 21, 2023
Ferentz never mentioned Dylan Raiola by name, and Iowa fans believe he was just speaking on the Hawkeyes’ lack of flips on signing day.
Nebraska supporters, however, took it as an immediate shot given the Big Ten affiliation. They immediately bashed the head coach as well as his non-existent offense.
“Yeah Kirk, you’d tell the top QB in the country no… Good news is you’ll never have that problem!”
“His offense evaluations have seemed very good.”
“Grumpy old man. Your recruiting on offense has been great!!”
“Kirk Ferentz throwing shade at a top QB is objectively hilarious.”
Iowa’s offensive unit was the worst in college football this season, totaling just 239.3 yards per game. No other offense averaged less than 270 YPG.
Still, they won 10 games and made the Big Ten Championship Game.
The Hawkeyes capitalized on that success by signing seven four-star players on Wednesday, including QB James Resar (who didn’t play for 3 high schools!).
While Kirk Ferentz’s comments, again, never referenced Dylan Raiola directly, Nebraska fans will be sure to use it as a talking point should he land the start against the Hawkeyes next year.