When Nebraska parted ways with offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, it wasn’t just a coaching change-it was the beginning of a full-scale Raiola family exodus. The ripple effect was swift: Dylan Raiola, the highly touted quarterback prospect, is headed to Oregon, and now it looks like his younger brother Dayton is on his way there too.
According to longtime insider Steve Sipple, who spoke recently on Lincoln’s 93.7 The Ticket, the Raiola brothers are moving as a unit. While Dylan’s transfer to Oregon has already made headlines, Sipple revealed that Dayton is expected to follow suit-though not with the same fanfare or opportunity.
Dayton’s recruitment has been a bit of a mystery. Unlike his older brother, he wasn’t a major name in the national recruiting scene.
Nebraska was his only Power 4 offer, and when he decommitted, it raised eyebrows. He didn’t sign during the early period, opting instead to wait until February, and now it’s becoming clearer why.
Sipple suggested that Oregon isn’t offering Dayton a scholarship. Instead, the younger Raiola might be joining the Ducks as a preferred walk-on-and possibly at a new position.
“I think Dayton would go with him,” Sipple said during the radio segment. “I think Dayton, being a walk-on, is what you're talking about, and maybe even as a tight end.”
That’s a notable shift for a player who had been committed to Nebraska as a quarterback. If Oregon sees more potential in him as a tight end, it speaks to both Dayton’s athletic versatility and the Ducks’ willingness to get creative to keep the Raiola family together.
It’s not uncommon to see programs bring in siblings as part of a broader recruiting strategy, especially when one of them is a high-profile prospect like Dylan. But this situation is a bit different.
Nebraska had put its chips on the table for the Raiola family, and when Donovan was let go, it effectively cleared the board. Oregon, meanwhile, appears to be capitalizing-landing a five-star quarterback and potentially adding his younger brother in a developmental role.
What’s clear is that Oregon is making a calculated move here. Dylan Raiola brings immediate upside to their quarterback room, and if Dayton can carve out a role-whether under center or catching passes-it could be a win-win. For now, the Ducks look like the big beneficiaries of a family decision that reshaped Nebraska’s recruiting outlook in a matter of weeks.