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A year ago, Nebraska's football program saw a significant shift when Dana Holgorsen, who had been enjoying a quiet life away from coaching, was brought back to lead the Huskers' offense. Around that time, true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola was thrust into action, preparing for games against tough Pac-12 opponents like UCLA and USC. Meanwhile, TJ Lateef, a promising quarterback from Orange Lutheran High School in Southern California, was making waves himself. Lateef had been committed to Nebraska for half a year and had just led his high school team to a playoff win, confidently acknowledging the competition he’d face with Raiola on the roster, saying, "My time is gonna come."
Fast forward to today, and that time is finally here. Lateef, now a true freshman, is set to make his first collegiate start for Nebraska in a crucial game against UCLA. This opportunity came unexpectedly after Raiola suffered a broken fibula late in a close 21-17 loss to USC. Holgorsen, no stranger to difficult in-season adjustments, believes this squad is better prepared to handle the sudden QB change than last year’s team was. While Lateef has less experience compared to Raiola’s situation last year, the support system around him is much stronger. Holgorsen’s advice to Lateef is straightforward: "Just be yourself. Play your game."
Confidence in Lateef is high among teammates and coaches. Tight end Luke Lindenmeyer expressed strong faith in Lateef’s abilities, noting that although his start came sooner than expected, the team always anticipated him stepping up eventually. Lateef showed glimpses of promise in the second half against USC, leading several drives, despite a few miscues such as a dropped snap and a botched fourth-and-1 play. At 6’1" and 200 pounds, he’s showcased a good mix of passing accuracy and mobility, adding a dynamic running element to Nebraska’s offense that Raiola didn’t offer.
The loss of Raiola is a big blow to the Huskers. He’s been the face of the program since early on and was named a team captain, symbolizing both leadership and national recruiting success for Nebraska. The injury not only shook the team emotionally but also forced a rapid shift in strategy. Coach Matt Rhule emphasized that the team must rally around Lateef and avoid dwelling on their recent loss. He made it clear that everyone must step up to make Lateef’s transition as smooth as possible, stressing a collective effort to ease the freshman’s burden.
Despite his injury, Raiola stayed close to the team, supporting Lateef from the sidelines before flying out for surgery. His presence remains a motivating factor for the Huskers, who are determined not to let this setback define their season. Senior left guard Henry Lutovsky spoke about the team’s mindset, urging every player to elevate their game and make the offense more comfortable for Lateef.
Heading into the UCLA game at the Rose Bowl, Nebraska’s offense will lean heavily on running back Emmett Johnson, who ranks second in the FBS with over 1,000 rushing yards. The offense also features a talented group of tight ends and receivers, although the offensive line has been hit by injuries to key tackles. Holgorsen insists that everyone on offense, including himself, must raise their level of play to let Lateef focus solely on quarterbacking. His goal is to recreate the familiarity and confidence Lateef felt back at Orange Lutheran.
Nebraska currently stands at 6-3 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play. After facing UCLA, they’ll have a bye week before two critical road and home games against Penn State and Iowa. For the Huskers to keep postseason hopes alive, Lateef will need to perform at a veteran level despite his inexperience. The coaching staff acknowledges the challenge but remains committed to rallying around their freshman QB and making the most of this unexpected opportunity.
