13 hours Ago
LINCOLN, Neb. — The small-school quarterback who arrived unannounced last summer at Nebraska’s doorstep and threw his way into a roster spot at a tryout camp, Jalyn Gramstad is not afraid to dream big. That much, we had already seen.
One piece of Gramstad’s motivation in returning to the Huskers in 2025 as a sixth-year senior, we had not. Advertisement “I have aspirations of going to the NFL and trying to see if my game can (work) there,” Gramstad said. It wasn’t just a passing comment.
Gramstad mentioned his goal — to get a crack at the NFL — twice during a 13-minute interview session Thursday after Nebraska’s sixth practice of the spring. He’s the No. 2 QB this spring behind sophomore starter Dylan Raiola.
Nebraska lost Daniel Kaelin to Virginia through the transfer portal. It added redshirt freshman Marcos Davila from Purdue and TJ Lateef out of high school in California. Gramstad measured 5 feet, 10 1/2 inches and 193 pounds at a post-high school graduate showcase in June.
He drove the three hours to Lincoln on the day of the event from Orange City, Iowa, where he competed for four seasons at Northwestern College. The NAIA player of the year in 2023, Gramstad threw 3,281 yards two years ago on 67.8 percent passing with 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions in winning 14 of 15 starts.
Still, the Huskers knew nothing of him until 10 months ago. They know him now. “He’s one of the most competitive guys out there,” quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas said.
“He wants to include everybody. He has no ego, very humble, wants to learn, wants to help. He’s the truest form of a teammate.
” Gramstad, 23, played quarterback for the Nebraska scout team last year. He traveled to road games and appeared in one contest, completing one pass for 11 yards in the opener against UTEP. Thomas and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen value Gramstad’s presence.
Raiola lobbied for him to return for a final season of eligibility after Nebraska capped the regular season with a 13-10 loss at Iowa. “I said, ‘Dude, I need you to come back,’” said Raiola, who set Nebraska freshman records in 2024 with 2,819 passing yards and a 67.1-percent completion rate.
Advertisement Their discourse continued through December before Gramstad, a business administration degree in hand, settled on a return in 2025. He had been talking with coach Matt Rhule about it since midseason. “That was great hearing I was wanted in the quarterback room,” Gramstad said.
“I had the extra year. Why would I walk away now? I love being around this program.” Said Raiola: “That’s kinda my guy to bounce things off.
He’s seen it. He’s obviously been really successful. It’s a conversation every day.
I’m very grateful that I have him.” Raiola joked that Gramstad is “an old man.” In fact, he’s more than three years older than Raiola, Davila and Lateef.
The Huskers have taken to calling him “granddad.” “He really does act like a granddad,” Holgorsen said. “He’s a great leader.
He’s got a ton of experience. I was glad that he came back. He gives us another guy that knows the offense.
” Gramstad throws a good ball, according to Nebraska coaches. He knows the offensive terminology. The players like him.
“His personality is infectious,” Thomas said. “From the offense, from the defense, everybody loves what he’s doing, what he stands for.” Gramstad said he’s not passionate about getting a job in finance.
He wants to coach when he’s finished with his playing career. Four years ago, he was playing defensive back at the NAIA level. He faced a question last year at this time: Return to play quarterback at Northwestern College or take aim at the Big Ten? Gramstad dreamed big.
Whether battling for reps in practice last fall or watching from the sideline as Nebraska held a slim lead midway through the fourth quarter at Ohio Stadium, Gramstad said he stayed grounded. “It’s still kinda just football,” he said. The tryout camp at which he earned a spot last year won’t provide such opportunities to potential walk-ons in 2025.
The Huskers remain more than 25 above the 105-player limit to take effect in August. Advertisement Gramstad’s story may be the last of its kind at Nebraska. His spot on the 105 is secure.
He took pride last fall in aiding the development of freshman running back Mekhi Nelson and wide receiver Quinn Clark. Gramstad rates as an asset this year for not just Raiola, Thomas said, but also for Davila and Lateef. “I just try to embrace the experience that I do have and the leadership role that I have on the team,” Gramstad said.
How far can he go with it? Don’t dismiss his chances to beat the odds again. (Top photo: Dylan Widger / USA Today Network via Imagn Images).
