The Oregon Ducks are doubling down on the Raiola family connection - and this time, it’s not just about the quarterback room.
On National Signing Day, Oregon secured a commitment from Dayton Raiola, the younger brother of Nebraska quarterback transfer Dylan Raiola. Dayton, a 2026 prospect out of Buford High School in Georgia, is set to join the Ducks with a unique twist to his journey: a position switch that could reshape his football future.
Originally recruited as a quarterback, Dayton turned heads at the recent Polynesian Bowl when he lined up at tight end, competing against some of the best high school talent in the country. It wasn’t just a novelty - it was a glimpse into what could become his full-time role in Eugene. According to 247Sports’ Blair Angulo, Dayton is actively transitioning to tight end, a move that could open the door for the Raiola brothers to share the field in Oregon’s offense.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 205 pounds, Dayton brings a unique skill set to the tight end position. He’s not the prototypical size for the role just yet, but his background under center gives him a rare football IQ and field vision that could make him a serious mismatch weapon. Think of him as a hybrid - part quarterback, part playmaker - with the potential to develop into a versatile piece in Oregon’s offensive puzzle.
Before flipping to Oregon, Dayton originally committed to Nebraska back in September 2024. At the time, the family ties ran deep in Lincoln.
Dylan was the starting quarterback, and their father, Dominic Raiola, was on staff as the offensive line coach. But when Dylan entered the transfer portal and Dominic parted ways with the Cornhuskers in November, Dayton reopened his recruitment.
He held offers from Appalachian State and Charlotte but ultimately opted not to sign during the early period in December.
Now, he’s headed to Eugene, where the Ducks are building something intriguing. Dayton is rated as a three-star recruit with an 85 grade and ranked as the No. 79 quarterback in the 2026 class by 247Sports. But that ranking may not fully capture his upside, especially if the tight end transition continues to gain traction.
His senior season at Buford was impressive by any standard. Dayton completed 146 of 236 passes for 2,208 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions.
He added 119 yards on the ground across 45 carries, helping lead Buford to a perfect 15-0 record and a Georgia Class 6A state championship. That kind of poise and production under pressure speaks volumes, regardless of what position he lines up at in college.
Dayton’s commitment adds to an already strong National Signing Day haul for Oregon. The Ducks also inked Irvine (Calif.)
Crean Lutheran defensive lineman Anthony Jones, and finalized the signing of four-star running back Brandon Smith out of Fresno (Calif.) Central East, who had previously committed.
This is more than just a family reunion in the Pacific Northwest - it’s a strategic move by Oregon to add depth, versatility, and football pedigree to its roster. If Dayton continues to develop at tight end and Dylan finds his rhythm under center, the Ducks could be looking at a rare brother-to-brother connection in the coming seasons.
And if that happens, Autzen Stadium might just have a new duo to rally behind.