Dayton Raiola Flips to Oregon, Following Brother Dylan’s Path
The Raiola name continues to make waves in college football recruiting circles, and this time it’s Dayton making the headlines. The younger brother of former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola has officially flipped his commitment from Nebraska to Oregon, announcing Wednesday that he’ll be joining the Ducks’ 2026 class.
It’s a big move for Oregon - and a tough blow for Nebraska.
Dayton, a quarterback prospect in his own right, had been verbally committed to Nebraska, giving Husker fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the program. But that optimism took a hit with Wednesday’s news, as Dayton decided to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, who transferred to Oregon earlier this offseason.
For Oregon, this is another recruiting win in a stretch that’s seen the Ducks stack talent at key positions. With Dylan already on campus and expected to be a centerpiece of Oregon’s offense moving forward, adding Dayton to the pipeline only deepens the Raiola family’s connection to Eugene. It also gives Oregon another highly-touted quarterback to develop behind the scenes.
From a football perspective, the move makes sense. The chance to play alongside his brother, in a program that’s trending upward and heading into a new era in the Big Ten, was likely too good to pass up. And with Oregon’s offensive system built to highlight quarterback play - fast-paced, dynamic, and quarterback-friendly - Dayton will have every opportunity to grow his game at the next level.
For Nebraska, though, this marks another chapter in a recruiting saga that’s been filled with twists. Dylan Raiola’s initial commitment to Georgia, followed by his flip to Nebraska and eventual transfer to Oregon, was already a rollercoaster.
Now, Dayton’s departure adds another layer to the story. Nebraska had hoped to build around the Raiola legacy, but with both brothers now headed west, the Huskers will need to pivot and refocus their long-term quarterback plans.
Still, it’s worth noting that Nebraska’s staff had been bracing for this possibility. With Dylan no longer in Lincoln and Oregon emerging as a national contender with a strong NIL presence and a clear vision for its future in the Big Ten, the writing may have been on the wall. That doesn’t make it any easier for Husker fans, but it does put the decision in context.
In the end, this is a family move as much as a football one. The Raiola brothers will now have the chance to share a college experience, compete at the highest level, and potentially make a major impact on a program that’s positioning itself to be a perennial contender in the new-look Big Ten.
For Oregon, the quarterback room just got deeper. For Nebraska, it’s back to the drawing board - but the game is far from over.