If the Nebraska football team does indeed dip into the transfer portal to get a replacement for Dylan Raiola, the pickings are a bit slimmer than people might think. Granted, some of the reason those pickings are slim is that the portal doesn't even open until January 2.
However, much like Raiola, there are several quarterbacks who have already made it clear they intend to transfer when the portal opens. Just because the pickings are slim doesn't mean there are no choices at all.
If Nebraska can grab one of the top quarterbacks in the portal who have stated their intentions to transfer as of now, they'll have a talented gun slinger on the roster. At worst, they could have a little more depth and a possible big-time prospect in their quarterback room.
5 Dylan Raiola replacements Nebraska football can target in the transfer portal
Colton Joseph-Old Dominion
The departure of Raiola and the rise of TJ Lateef indicate Nebraska is looking for a more mobile quarterback who is still a very good passer. Old Dominion's Colton Joseph fits that bill.
Joseph completed 306-of-512 passing attempts for 4,251 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions from 2023-25 at Old Dominion. He also totaled 1,654 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 272 attempts. While it's likely he'll head to the SEC, the Huskers should gauge interest as he's one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks expected to go in the portal.
Kenny Minchey-Notre Dame
There's another Big Ten school that's recently been linked to Kenny Minchey, so Nebraska might have some competition from Wisconsin. Still, Minchey could be quite gettable for the Huskers. He competed for the starting job at Notre Dame this past season and is now looking to go somewhere to start.
In 2025, Minchey completed 20 of 26 passes for 196 yards. He also ran 7 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. He hasn't played a ton, but he's worked on one of the best teams in the country.
Sam Leavitt – Arizona State
Nebraska actually targeted Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt in December of 2023 before Raiola got in the picture when Leavitt was at Michigan State. Now he's back in the portal and will be one of the hottest names in this cycle. NU will have the money to go after a quarterback like him. It's all about if he's interested in the Huskers.
Brendan Sorsby – Cincinnati
Nebraska certainly knows Brendan Sorsby pretty well after going up against him in the season opener this year. He wasn't all that impressive against the Huskers, but he put together quite the season after losing in Kansas City.
This year, he threw for 2,800 yards, 27 TDs, and 5 INTs while also running for 580 yards and 9 TDs. The Huskers will almost certainly inquire, but he's thought to be looking squarely at Texas Tech.
Aidan Chiles – Michigan State
Chiles had a rough 2025, even getting benched toward the end of the season. However, his coach was also fired, and it's possible the Jonathan Smith regime was why he struggled.
The former Oregon State Beaver has some talent, and Nebraska might even look for him as more of a veteran backup for TJ Lateef, with the option to win the job if he plays well in the spring and next year's fall camp.