Oregon Ducks add Dylan Raiola in quarterback depth reshuffle

Dylan Raiola announced his commitment to the Oregon Ducks on Jan. 12, giving Lane County fans a high-profile addition to a crowded quarterback room. The former Nebraska starter arrives as a top transfer-portal recruit and a former five-star prospect, immediately changing the projection for 2026 quarterback competition in Eugene.

Raiola spent two seasons at Nebraska, throwing for a combined 4,819 yards with 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He missed the final games of the season with a broken fibula but showed statistical improvement in his second year, raising his completion percentage and yards per attempt. In the transfer portal rankings he was listed as the fifth-ranked quarterback, signaling national interest in his skill set.

How Raiola fits in depends largely on Dante Moore's decision this offseason. If Moore returns, Raiola is likely to slot into a backup or developmental role behind Oregon's presumed veteran starter. If Moore declares for the NFL Draft, Raiola becomes one of the leading internal candidates to compete for the starting job. Either scenario deepens the Ducks' options and reduces single-player exposure risk for the program.

Oregon’s current depth chart already includes experienced backup Brock Thomas, underclassmen Akili Smith Jr., Ryder Hayes and Mark Wiepert, plus incoming freshman Bryson Beaver. That mix of transfers, returners and freshmen creates a competitive environment that could accelerate player development but also complicate playing-time expectations. For Lane County, more competition at quarterback tends to increase the stakes for spring practice, the spring game and fall camp—events that draw local interest and ticket sales.

Beyond on-field implications, Raiola’s arrival reflects broader trends in college football: the transfer portal continues to reshape rosters, and programs are balancing immediate needs with long-term recruiting pipelines. For Oregon, adding a high-profile transfer could influence recruiting conversations, boost practice attendance interest, and adjust how coaches allocate reps among quarterbacks during spring drills.

For fans tracking the next steps, the immediate items to watch are Dante Moore’s declaration decision and spring practice reps that will start to clarify readiness and fit. Raiola’s Nebraska production and prospect pedigree give him a credible claim to meaningful reps, but the competition in Eugene is now noticeably deeper.

Our two cents? Be patient and pencil in the spring game as a must-see—this quarterback race will be one of the more consequential storylines for Autzen energy next fall, and Lane County season-ticket holders should expect a lively competition that could set the tone for Oregon’s offense.