Former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola announces Oregon commitment while Ducks await NFL draft decision from starter Dante Moore
Dylan Raiola is heading west after two seasons in Lincoln. The former Nebraska quarterback announced his commitment to Oregon on Monday through social media, selecting the Ducks as his next destination after entering the transfer portal. The move reunites one of college football’s most highly touted recent recruits with a program fresh off back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances.
Raiola ranks sixth in The Athletic’s transfer quarterback rankings and was the second-highest uncommitted signal-caller available in the portal behind Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt. His decision to join Oregon comes as the Ducks wait to learn whether current starter Dante Moore will return for another season or declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Underclassmen face a Wednesday deadline to announce their draft intentions.
Two-year starter departs Nebraska after injury-shortened season
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Raiola started all 22 games he played during his tenure with the Cornhuskers. Over two seasons, he accumulated 4,819 passing yards and 31 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. His sophomore campaign ended prematurely after nine games when he suffered a broken fibula during Nebraska’s matchup against USC.
Raiola’s 2025 season began with exceptional promise. Through the first four games, he completed 75.6 percent of his passes while throwing 11 touchdowns against just one interception. The hot start cooled considerably over the next five contests, where his completion percentage dropped to 68.7 percent and he threw seven touchdowns with five interceptions. Despite the uneven performance, Raiola helped Nebraska reach consecutive bowl games after a seven-year postseason drought.
Landing Raiola marked watershed moment for Nebraska
When Raiola signed with Nebraska out of high school, it represented a transformative recruiting victory for coach Matt Rhule. The quarterback arrived as a five-star prospect ranked third among all quarterback recruits nationally according to the 247Sports Composite. He became the Cornhuskers’ first five-star signee in nearly two decades, generating excitement about the program’s trajectory under new leadership.
Raiola started immediately as a true freshman, navigating the challenges typical of young quarterbacks adjusting to major college football. His debut season featured growing pains alongside flashes of the talent that made him one of the country’s most sought-after recruits. The early experience positioned him for what many hoped would be a breakout sophomore year before the injury derailed those plans.
Oregon presents opportunity under new offensive coordinator
At Oregon, Raiola will work with Drew Mehringer, who was recently promoted from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator. Mehringer assumed the role after Will Stein departed to become head coach at Kentucky. The new coordinator has spent all four years of Dan Lanning’s tenure on Oregon’s offensive staff, providing continuity despite the position change.
The Ducks have established themselves as College Football Playoff regulars, reaching the postseason in consecutive years. They fell in the quarterfinals during the 2024 season before losing 56-22 to Indiana in last week’s semifinal at the Peach Bowl. Oregon’s offensive system and recent success offer Raiola a platform to revitalize his career trajectory after the disappointing end to his Nebraska tenure.
Moore’s decision looms over Oregon’s quarterback situation
Raiola’s commitment doesn’t necessarily indicate Moore’s departure for the NFL. Oregon has successfully managed multiple talented quarterbacks before, signing both Moore and Dillon Gabriel from the transfer portal in 2023. Moore redshirted his sophomore season while sitting behind Gabriel before taking over starting duties this year.
The Ducks could potentially retain both quarterbacks if Moore returns, creating a competition scenario similar to previous seasons. Alternatively, if Moore declares for the draft, Raiola would enter Eugene as the presumptive starter with two years of eligibility remaining. Either situation provides Oregon with experienced quarterback depth as they pursue another playoff appearance.
The transfer represents both a fresh start for Raiola and a calculated addition for Oregon as they reload following another deep postseason run. With his combination of recruiting pedigree and starting experience, Raiola brings immediate credibility to whatever role he fills in Eugene.