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WR Dane Key Joins Dylan Raiola's Nebraska in CFB Transfer Portal After Kentucky Exit

Adam Wells

One year after landing a potential cornerstone quarterback, Nebraska has given Dylan Raiola a big-time playmaker at wide receiver for the 2025 season.

Kentucky transfer Dane Key announced on Tuesday he has committed to the Cornhuskers.

Per 247Sports.com, Key is the No. 4 wide receiver and 10th-ranked player overall in the 2025 transfer portal.

Key announced on Dec. 4 he was entering the transfer portal after spending the past three seasons at Kentucky.

The 21-year-old has been a standout member of the Wildcats since he arrived on campus. He has led the team in receiving yards each of the past two seasons, including a career-high 715 yards in 2024.

Key has averaged at least 14.0 yards per reception in all three years at Kentucky. His 15.2 yards per catch in 2024 ranked 10th among all SEC receivers with at least 40 receptions.

ESPN's Billy Tucker praised Key for having a "big frame and great hands" to go along with being a "polished route runner" and an ability to separate from coverage.

Nebraska badly needed to add playmakers to its group of skill position players next season. Raiola, a 5-star recruit and No. 3 quarterback in the 2024 class, flipped a commitment from Georgia to play for the Cornhuskers.

Raiola's first season was a mixed bag with 2,595 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 12 games. The offense ranked in the bottom half of the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (130.6). Jahmal Banks led the team in receiving yards with 508.

Building a stronger support system around Raiola should allow him to tap into his full potential. It will also help the Huskers improve their scoring output after ranking 98th in FBS with 23.8 points per game.

Key is a great starting addition for Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule going into 2025. The transfer portal is already producing great results for the program. They currently rank 10th nationally with 10 total commits, per 247Sports.

Nebraska will wrap up the 2024 season against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28. A win would give the Huskers a 7-6 record, marking their first winning season since 2016 (9-4).

   

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