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By Tyler Erzberger
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Dylan Raiola has never been a quarterback to take it slow or quietly.
When he announced that he was going to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Matt Rhule, it was as if a prince was becoming a king in hopes of raising a fallen empire.
He was a five-star savior. He modeled his game after Patrick Mahomes. He even modeled his hair after the Kansas City Chiefs QB.
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Raiola wanted to be bombastic and stylish on the field while keeping that swagger off the field as well through his demeanor and coolness.
It didn't work, though.
Two seasons in Lincoln and it was mediocrity for Raiola, who had flashes of the prospect he was believed to be, but no actual marquee games or heroic moments he hoped for when he moved up from high school to college.
So when it was announced he was transferring in the portal, it wasn't a shock. He would want to go to a Power Four school, rebuild his stock in a single year, try for a College Football Playoff spot, and then declare for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Except that isn't what exactly happened. While Raiola did sign with a school that produces big games and NFL quarterbacks consistently in Oregon, he has changed his motivation.
More news: New York Jets Fans React to Dante Moore Passing on NFL Draft for Oregon
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More news: Oregon Loses QB Amid Dylan Raiola Transfer Portal Buzz
For the first time, Raiola is going slow -- under the radar and into the background.
With Dante Moore's announcement to stay at Oregon for an extra year before heading to the pros, Raiola is said to be OK with the decision and ready to redshirt a year on the bench learning from Dan Lanning before taking over the starting job in 2027.
It's a decision that comes with significant growth from Raiola, who will need to work on his scrambling, unforced errors, and overall consistency if he wants to be a first-round pick. And with the 2027 Draft looking like one of the deepest ever at QB with Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, Sam Leavitt, LaNorris Sellers, and the aforementioned Moore all possible picks, it could be the best choice for Raiola to wait a year until 2028.
While multiple reports say Raiola is confident in his position to wait and learn, don't be surprised if schools like Miami and Ole Miss possibly get in contact. Both schools offered Ty Simpson $6.5 million to play for their teams in 2026 before publicly rejecting both to enter the draft. With few options left on the table, Raiola might be the biggest fish left who could be swayed.
The transfer portal officially closes on Jan. 16, 2026.
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