When Dylan Raiola left the Nebraska football program, he knew that he wouldn't start for Oregon in 2026. However, since he arrived in Eugene, there have been more than a few hints that he might not even start in 2027. Yet another analyst, this time from the Autzen Zoo, believes that the former Husker star's football career will not go the way the former 5-star signal-caller thought it would. Indeed, leaving Lincoln might have been the end of his days as a starter.
When Raiola first joined the Ducks, there was still a chance that starting quarterback Dante Moore would go pro. However, those chances were squashed when he decided to forgo the draft for another year in college. Raiola claimed he knew that all along and was looking to learn, grow, and start in 2027. However, Oregon added one of the best quarterbacks in the 2027 recruiting class earlier this Spring, which started to make it look like he'd at least get pushed for a starter.
Nicholas Rome believes Raiola might not even be the true backup for Moore, which was supposedly the plan from the former Nebraska QB1.
"This season, Dylan Raiola may not even serve as Oregon's true backup to Dante Moore with Brock Thomas returning to the quarterback room," The Autzen Zoo author wrote. "Thomas was Moore's direct backup last season, and it's clear the program is high on him as he served as the quarterback at Pro Day this year. Given all the experience Thomas has in the offense and how good he looked this Spring, he may be the number 2 to Moore again this season."
Dylan Raiola’s uncertain Oregon future could make Nebraska football’s reset look better
Rome also believes that, just because Dan Lanning has the former Nebraska star as well as Akili Smith Jr. returning in 2027, doesn't mean the Big Ten power won't go shopping in the Transfer Portal for an upgrade.
"The Ducks constantly go big game hunting in the Transfer Portal, and with the push to win a National Championship in Eugene, if one of the best quarterbacks in the country hit the market like we see every season, the Ducks would likely pursue it."
From the outside looking in, there might be a bit of satisfaction from Nebraska fans watching things align against Dylan Raiola. It's not that he was ever a villain in Lincoln. In fact, when he was public-facing, he seemed like the consummate teammate. However, there were cracks in his armor as a fan favorite as the 2025 season wound down.
After he broke his leg against USC, rumors began almost immediately that he would transfer, since his backup, TJ Lateef, played very well as a true freshman.
Then there was the confidence from everyone watching that once Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule fired offensive line coach Donovan Raiola (Dylan's uncle), it meant the Huskers were cutting ties with the family. Finally, unlike pretty much every other player who entered the portal this winter from Nebraska, the quarterback waited months before publicly commenting on his departure.
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