The Oregon Ducks have made one of the biggest splashes of the college football transfer portal season, securing a commitment from former Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola. The news, which broke on January 12, 2026, sent ripples throughout the college football world and has left fans in Eugene buzzing with anticipation for what’s next. Raiola, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound signal-caller, brings both high expectations and a fascinating backstory to the Ducks’ quarterback room.
Raiola’s journey to Oregon is as intriguing as it is impressive. A five-star recruit and the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, he was one of the most coveted prospects in the nation before landing at Nebraska. He wasted no time making an impact, starting as a true freshman in 2024 and leading the Cornhuskers to a 7-6 record. Though his stats were a mixed bag—13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions—his poise and arm talent were evident from the get-go.
By 2025, Raiola took a significant leap forward. He started nine games for Nebraska, dramatically improving his accuracy to a 72.4% completion rate while throwing for 2,000 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Unfortunately, his sophomore campaign was cut short by a broken fibula in early November. Despite his absence down the stretch, Nebraska finished with a 7-6 record for the second consecutive season.
Now, as a transfer, Raiola is rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 5 quarterback, and No. 14 overall player in the portal, according to 247 Sports. He still has two years of eligibility remaining and a redshirt available, making him a valuable asset for any program. Oregon wasted no time in pursuing him, especially with uncertainty swirling around the future of their current starter, Dante Moore.
Moore, a former five-star recruit himself, led the Ducks in 2025 after redshirting behind Dillon Gabriel. Moore’s performance has put him squarely in the sights of NFL scouts, and he currently sits at No. 2 in the CBS Sports NFL Draft Prospect Rankings. With the NFL draft declaration deadline looming on January 14, 2026, all eyes are on Moore’s decision—will he return to Eugene for another season, or will he make the leap to the pros?
If Moore opts for the NFL, Raiola would presumably step in as Oregon’s starting quarterback in 2026. If Moore stays, Raiola could follow a similar path to Moore’s, spending a redshirt year learning the Ducks’ system before taking the reins. According to CBS Sports, “Raiola’s commitment to Oregon isn’t just fascinating because of the potential for Moore to come back. He’s also a different kind of quarterback from the archetype the Ducks have looked for in recent years.”
Indeed, Raiola’s playing style sets him apart. While Oregon’s recent quarterbacks—Moore, Gabriel, and Bo Nix—have been known for their mobility and efficiency, Raiola is more of a gunslinger. He’s from the “Patrick Mahomes school” of extending plays and taking risks, always hunting for the big play downfield. He’s not a designed runner, which marks a shift from the Ducks’ recent offensive tendencies.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning and his staff seem ready to embrace this change. After a lopsided loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinal, there’s a growing sense that the program could benefit from a fresh approach. The Ducks have already promoted Drew Mehringer to offensive coordinator, signaling a willingness to shake things up. Perhaps a new quarterback archetype is just what Oregon needs to stay in the national title conversation.
Raiola’s arrival isn’t the only major addition for the Ducks this offseason. UAB transfer wide receiver Iverson Hooks, who caught 72 passes for 927 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, is also heading to Eugene. The prospect of Hooks catching passes from either Moore or Raiola has Ducks fans dreaming of an explosive offense in 2026. As reported by On3 Sports, "UAB transfer WR Iverson Hooks has committed to Oregon... He totaled 72 receptions for 927 yards and 7 TDs this season."
Of course, the transfer portal is a two-way street, and Oregon has seen its share of departures as well. Tight end Vander Ploog, a four-star recruit who did not play in 2025, plans to enter the portal, while other programs around the country are also shuffling their rosters in search of the perfect mix for the upcoming season.
Raiola’s decision to join Oregon wasn’t made in a vacuum. The Ducks have established themselves as a premier destination for quarterbacks looking to develop and compete at the highest level. Since Lanning took over, Oregon’s quarterbacks have thrived in a system that values efficiency, quick decision-making, and the ability to distribute the ball to playmakers in space. While Raiola’s style may differ, his arm talent and playmaking ability fit the bill for a program eager to break through on the national stage.
The stakes are high for Raiola. As CBS Sports noted, “For his part, Raiola will have loads of pressure on him to raise his level of play on a more consistent basis, particularly against elite competition. This is clearly a move he’s making to contend at a different level than he was able to at Nebraska.” If he succeeds in Eugene, Raiola could vault up NFL draft boards for 2027 or even 2028, depending on how his eligibility and Moore’s decision play out.
Meanwhile, Oregon fans are left to wonder: What will the quarterback room look like come fall? Will Moore return for another run at a national title, or will Raiola be handed the keys to one of the most high-powered offenses in the country? The answer may not come until the NFL draft deadline passes, but one thing’s for sure—the Ducks have positioned themselves well no matter what happens.
With the transfer portal set to close on January 16, 2026, the college football landscape is shifting rapidly. Oregon’s aggressive approach in landing Raiola and Hooks shows they’re not content to rest on their laurels. Whether it’s Moore, Raiola, or a combination of both, the Ducks’ quarterback situation will be one of the most closely watched storylines in college football heading into the 2026 season.
As spring approaches, Raiola is expected to be healthy and ready to compete, having recovered from his broken fibula. With two seasons of eligibility and a redshirt year in his back pocket, he gives Oregon both immediate security and long-term upside at the game’s most important position. The Ducks’ coaching staff, led by Lanning and newly promoted offensive coordinator Mehringer, will have some big decisions to make—but that’s a problem any program would love to have.
For now, the Ducks and their fans can savor the arrival of a top-tier quarterback talent and the promise of more fireworks in Eugene. The quarterback dominoes are still falling, but with Dylan Raiola in the fold, Oregon’s future looks as bright—and as unpredictable—as ever.
