It was the flip heard around the college football world. Twice, actually. Most people remember when Dylan Raiola ditched Georgia for Nebraska in late 2023, sending Lincoln into a literal frenzy. It felt like destiny. The son of a Husker legend returning home to save a program that hadn’t seen a bowl game since the Obama administration.
But then, the second flip happened.
On January 12, 2026, the news hit social media like a freight train: Dylan Raiola was transferring to Oregon. Just like that, the "Mahomes clone" who looked like the future of Nebraska football was heading to Eugene. Honestly, if you've been following the Huskers, it’s a bittersweet pill to swallow. He did what he promised—he got Nebraska back to bowl eligibility. Twice. But the way it ended, with a broken leg against USC and a quiet exit through the portal, has left a lot of fans wondering what the heck actually happened.
The Patrick Mahomes Comparison: More Than Just a Haircut?
You can't talk about Dylan Raiola without mentioning the No. 15 jersey and the curly mohawk. It’s almost eerie. During his freshman season in 2024, the "Baby Mahomes" nickname wasn't just a meme; it was a brand. He pulled up to camp looking like a mirror image of the Chiefs' superstar, and the mannerisms on the field—the sidearm throws, the pre-game trot—were identical.
Even Patrick Mahomes himself noticed, calling Raiola "Lil Cuzzo." They even train together in the offseason.
But was it all for show? Sorta.
Raiola actually wore No. 15 because of Tim Tebow, not Mahomes, though he clearly leaned into the aesthetic. On the field, the talent was real. In his true freshman year (2024), he threw for 2,819 yards and 13 touchdowns. He became the first freshman since Marcus Mariota to complete over 70% of his passes in each of his first three games.
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The kid can sling it. No doubt about that.
Why the Nebraska Love Affair Fizzled Out
It’s easy to blame the transfer portal or "NIL greed," but the reality is way more complicated. Nebraska’s 2025 season started with massive hype. Raiola was playing out of his mind, completing 72.4% of his passes through nine games. He was leading comebacks against teams like Maryland and keeping the Huskers in the top 25.
Then came the USC game on November 1, 2025.
A broken fibula. Season over.
Without Raiola, the Huskers collapsed. They lost their final three games by an average of 24 points. It exposed a lot of cracks in the foundation. While Dylan’s uncle, Donovan Raiola, was the offensive line coach, the unit struggled to keep his nephew upright. Dylan was basically a "statue" in the pocket at times, taking heavy hits because the mobility just wasn't there.
Matt Rhule even said it publicly: "He won't be a great quarterback at 240 pounds."
Rhule wanted Dylan to slim down and move more. He wanted a dual-threat game that fit the Dana Holgorsen system he was trying to build. But Dylan is a pro-style, drop-back passer. He’s a guy who wants to sit in the pocket and pick you apart. When the Nebraska line couldn’t provide that pocket, the marriage started to feel strained.
Dylan Raiola’s Career Stats at Nebraska (22 Starts)
- Total Passing Yards: 4,819
- Touchdowns: 31
- Interceptions: 17
- Record as Starter: 13-9
- 2025 Completion %: 72.4% (Nebraska School Record)
Honestly, he was the best thing to happen to Nebraska in a decade, but the fit just wasn't quite right for the long haul.
The $2 Million Decision: The Oregon Move
So why the Ducks? Oregon is a different beast. Dan Lanning has turned Eugene into a pro-style factory with a Nike-backed NIL war chest.
According to On3 and Rivals, Raiola’s NIL valuation is currently sitting around $2 million. While he had a massive deal with Adidas at Nebraska (thanks to the school's partnership), moving to Oregon puts him right in the middle of the Nike ecosystem.
But it’s also about the roster. Oregon is stacked. They just came off a 13-2 season and a CFP semifinal appearance. If Dante Moore goes to the NFL, Raiola walks into a Ferrari of an offense. If Moore stays, Raiola might redshirt in 2026 and take the keys in 2027. Either way, he’s going to a place where he doesn't have to carry the entire program on his back every Saturday.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Transfer
People think he left because Nebraska wasn't winning enough. That’s not really it. He went 6-3 as a starter in 2025 before the injury. He actually was winning.
The real issue was the "fit" and the future. Nebraska is rebuilding its identity again. They just brought in Anthony Colandrea from UNLV and Daniel Kaelin is back in the mix. The offense is shifting toward more QB mobility. Raiola, meanwhile, is looking at the NFL. He knows he needs a system that mimics a Sunday playbook. Oregon offers that. Nebraska, under the current staff's evolution, was becoming something else.
What's Next for Raiola and the Huskers?
If you’re a Nebraska fan, it hurts. Your legacy QB is gone. Your 2026 QB commit, Dayton Raiola (Dylan’s brother), also decommitted. It feels like the "Raiola Era" ended before it even really peaked.
However, the Huskers are in a better spot than they were before he arrived. He broke the "bowl curse." He showed that five-star recruits will actually sign with Nebraska. He raised the floor of the program.
For Dylan, the road ahead is all about health. That broken leg needs to be 100% before he steps on the field in Eugene. If he can maintain that 72% completion rate in a Dan Lanning offense, we aren't just talking about a college star—we're talking about a first-round draft pick.
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The Actionable Takeaway:
Keep an eye on the Oregon spring game. The quarterback battle between Dylan Raiola and potentially a returning Dante Moore will be the biggest story in the Big Ten. For Nebraska fans, watch how Matt Rhule uses Anthony Colandrea. You might see a much faster, more "run-heavy" Husker offense than you saw with No. 15 under center.
The legacy is still there, but the colors have changed from Scarlet to Green.