Dylan Raiola might be in the process of learning a harsh life lesson about the grass not always being greener. The former Nebraska football star transferred to Oregon this winter with the understanding that he won't start for the Ducks in 2026. But what if he also doesn't start for Dan Lanning's squad in 2027?
This season, Raiola knows that "the man" in Eugene is returning starting quarterback Dante Moore. The former Husker admitted as much. In recent media appearances, he claimed he's happy to sit and learn from Moore in anticipation of rising to QB1 in 2027. But those plans are now a bit murkier after Oregon landed the top quarterback prospect in the 2027 class, Will Mencl.
Dylan Raiola might never see meaningful minutes after leaving Nebraska football
Rated the No. 1 quarterback in the country by Rivals and No. 6 by 247Sports, Mencl picked Oregon over fellow finalists Penn State and Auburn. He did that despite knowing that Dylan Raiola is waiting in the wings. Mencl picked the Ducks over other teams that seem far more desperate for a starting quarterback than the team that has one who was QB1 for Nebraska for two seasons.
Standing at 6-3, 200 pounds, Mencl stars for powerhouse Chandler High School in Arizona. He is described as a “mobile quarterback with a prototypical frame and some pop in the arm” by 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins.
Will Mencl is a direct competitor for Dylan Raiola just like TJ Lateef was at Nebraska
“Crafty in the face of pressure and can move the chains on the scramble with his power and field vision,” Ivins wrote. “Athletic enough to coordinate some RPO action.”
In the Navy All-American Bowl back in January, Mencl was 7-12 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown, rushing for 20 yards on three carries as well.
It's Mencl's mobility that could be the real issue for Raiola. Nebraska coaches loved Dylan's arm, but while they didn't talk a ton about it, they clearly would have loved for him to be more mobile both in and outside the pocket.
If Mencl shows he's got the ability to learn quickly, has a cannon arm, and can move around, Dylan Raiola might be in trouble. He might be in the kind of trouble where his move away from Nebraska football turns into another Transfer Portal mistake.
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