Dylan Raiola didn’t come to Oregon to take over right away, and that’s exactly why his latest update matters.
With Dante Moore back in Eugene for one more season, the Ducks already solved their biggest quarterback question. That gave Oregon the freedom to add a veteran piece anyway, and they used it to land Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola. For a program that didn’t have to chase a quarterback, that was a bold move - and one aimed squarely at the future.
Raiola arrived at Nebraska carrying huge expectations, the kind that come with being a 5-star quarterback and choosing the Huskers over heavy interest from the top programs. He spent two seasons as a starter there, and he could have gone somewhere else to keep starting. Instead, he made the same kind of choice Moore did: step into a developmental role and focus on getting better.
That plan is starting to show up on the field.
After Oregon’s first Fall scrimmage on Saturday, Dan Lanning sounded encouraged by what he saw from his newest quarterback. Asked whether Raiola had grown since spring, Lanning didn’t hold back.
“Dylan has gotten a lot better. He looks like a night-and-day different player from when he got here in the spring.
With that being said, there's moments already from today that we've got to improve - that's something we've got to attack. And that's the case for every single player on the team, not just Dylan.”
That kind of jump is exactly what Oregon wanted to hear. Raiola was never walking in as a polished finished product. Based on what he showed at Nebraska, there’s still plenty for him to clean up before anyone can count on him as a starter.
For now, the assignment is simpler. Raiola needs to know the offense, keep developing, and be ready if Moore goes down. Oregon has other talented quarterbacks in the room, but none of them bring Raiola’s game experience.
And for a team that keeps emphasizing growth, that matters. College football seasons aren’t always defined only by what happens in the standings.
Sometimes the bigger story is what a staff can build over time. Lanning and Oregon have made a habit of developing players at a high level, and Raiola now looks like the next test case.
In Other News...
Oregon May Have Found An Unexpected Linebacker Answer
Bleu Dantzler arrived in Eugene as an unusual addition to Oregons linebacker room this offseason, bringing a cross-rival transfer story that already makes him one of the more interesting names in camp. A former Oregon State linebacker, Dantzler has spent the summer trying to carve out a place on a defense that is still sorting through its depth, and he has apparently made a strong impression on the coaches watching him every day.
Dan Lanning and defensive ends coach Kamran Araghi have both pointed to Dantzlers work ethic and the progress he has made during fall camp, a good sign for a player looking to turn an opportunity into a role. For Oregon, the appeal is obvious: if Dantzler keeps developing, he could become a useful piece in the front seven as the Ducks get closer to the season. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Lanning Likes What He Sees From Oregon But Two Concerns Remain
After Oregons first fall camp scrimmage, Dan Lanning came away encouraged by what he saw on both sides of the ball, especially the way the Ducks carried themselves physically and defended with intent. The session was closed to the media and public, but Lanning still had enough to point to a group that looks like it has spent its summer doing the work needed to arrive ready for camp.
Even so, the review was not a clean sweep. Lanning flagged ball security and special teams as areas that still need attention, a reminder that August evaluations are as much about identifying leaks as they are celebrating progress. Oregon will keep pushing through practice, with media access coming later in the week, and those next sessions should offer a better sense of how quickly the Ducks can tighten up the details that matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Quarterback Room Gives The Ducks A Rare Edge In 2026
The quarterback room has become one of Oregons most intriguing strengths heading into 2026, with PFF ranking it as the deepest in the country. Dante Moore sits at the center of it after a strong 2025 season, and his decision to return rather than enter the NFL Draft gives the Ducks a proven starter around whom everything else can settle. For a program used to reloading at a high level, having that kind of certainty under center is a luxury that changes the tone of the offseason.
Dylan Raiola adds another layer of security and intrigue after arriving as a former Nebraska starter, giving Oregon a backup with real experience and the upside to be much more than that. Behind him, Brock Thomas and redshirt freshman Akili Smith Jr. give the Ducks more names to work with than most teams can claim anywhere on the roster. It is the kind of depth that can keep Oregon steady if the season turns volatile, while also setting up a quarterback conversation that may not be settled anytime soon. [Read more 🡒]