Donovan Raiola adjusting Huskers’ offensive line in spring practice

LINCOLN, Neb. — Although the Huskers have multiple starters along the offensive line out with injuries this spring, Donovan Raiola is providing other players with opportunities to shine in practice during their absence.

Last season Nebraska tied for 73rd nationally in sacks allowed, and finished 96th in rushing offense. Raiola understands that it’s going to be up to his unit to dictate how far the offense will go this fall. The Huskers have 22 offensive linemen on the spring roster, and the next three weeks are crucial in terms of development.

Gunner Gottula, Turner Corcoran and Teddy Prochazka all have leadership, experience, and production, but are still recovering from injuries they suffered in 2024. That’s why Raiola has an emphasis on rotating bodies around, getting the younger linemen valuable reps and establishing depth.

“Building a unit of five guys, it’s not always the best five, it’s a group of five men that are going to work together,” Raiola said. “Sometimes it might be six, seven, eight guys, I’m not against rotating guys, so those guys have versatility.”

Raiola wants his group to work on chemistry too, and there are two new faces from the transfer portal in Rocco Spindler, and Elijah Pritchett. Spindler spent four seasons at Notre Dame, and is an animal along the interior. Pritchett spent three seasons at Alabama, where he started 11 games during that span. Both players have the potential to be starters, and Raiola is making sure they’re getting up to speed with their new teammates.

“Offensive line groups are always great people, and great people to be around,” he said. “With the additions you got a bunch of vets, a bunch of young guys, so everyone is working hard to coach each other and bring the new guys up to the standard, and help them understand it.”

Having good hand placement and balance goes a long way, and Raiola wants his unit to maul defenders at the point of attack. The big boys up front have to set the tone, and hold their own in the trenches, especially in Big Ten play. Raiola is looking for some underclassmen to emerge from the shadows, and make their presence felt.

Replacing Ben Scott at center will be challenging, but Justin Evans is looking promising up to this point. Raiola knows how important playing center will be for the offense, considering it requires a vocal leader, who can make calls and adjustments on the fly.

“That’s such a specialty position, and it takes a certain kind of individual to go in there,” the 42-year old said. “You’re pretty much the quarterback of the offensive line, and a lot of stuff that the center does goes unnoticed.”

Sam Sledge is capturing Raiola’s attention with the way he’s handling himself in practice. The Omaha native is showing versatility, which Raiola is enjoying, and will have him heavily in the mix. Even former Husker center, current Philadelphia Eagle and Super Bowl champ Cameron Jurgens came and talked to the team recently, so everything appears to be trending up for the offensive line.

Corcoran is rehabbing his hamstring, Gottula is doing the same with his shoulder, and Prochazka’s knee is still healing. However, they’ll be immovable objects once they return to the lineup. Despite having those starters out, Coach Matt Rhule is noticing improvement from the offensive line, and continues to praise the players for all of their hard work in practice.

“I think the offensive line this spring has been one of our highlights,” Rhule said. “As people have come in and visited, especially people who have been here before, they see the physical growth of our guys.”

As the Huskers approach the midpoint of spring ball, Raiola will be turning it up a notch with his group. After all, they have to protect his nephew Dylan, and will face some talented defensive lines this fall. Right now it’s all work, and no play for the offensive line. Everyone is having fun, but it’s still full speed ahead, and that’s how Raiola likes it.

“You gotta keep watering the bamboo.”