Dylan Raiola’s college chapter at Nebraska didn’t end the way anyone expected. Once a five-star recruit with sky-high expectations, Raiola is now headed for the transfer portal, officially stepping away from a turbulent two-year run in Lincoln. But even as his own football future hangs in the balance, Dylan made time to show love to his younger brother, Dayton - who’s gearing up for the biggest game of his high school career.
On Monday, Dylan posted a message of support on Instagram, featuring Dayton suited up in Buford Wolves gear with the caption: *“Let’s go finish the job 10! Love you boy.”
- Dayton, wearing No. 10, is set to lead Buford into the Georgia Class 6A state championship game Tuesday night against Carrollton at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Wolves are 14-0 and ranked No. 2 in the state heading into the title clash.
Dayton has been nothing short of electric this season. He’s thrown for 2,064 yards and 26 touchdowns, adding five more scores on the ground.
That kind of production helped power Buford to a perfect season and a shot at the school’s 15th state title - but first since 2022. And while he’s been busy carving up defenses, Dayton also made headlines off the field by decommitting from Nebraska on November 19, just two weeks before signing day.
After more than a year as a Cornhuskers commit, he told Rivals that his recruitment is now wide open.
So as one brother chases a ring, the other is preparing for a reset.
Dylan’s decision to enter the transfer portal - which officially opens January 2 - comes after a sophomore season that ended in frustration and injury. A broken fibula suffered against USC on November 1 halted his campaign after 22 consecutive starts.
He exits Nebraska with 4,819 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Solid numbers on paper, but they only tell part of the story.
The reality? Dylan struggled to find rhythm behind a shaky offensive line.
His lack of mobility made him a sitting target, and he was sacked 54 times over two seasons. The offense often stalled, and the pressure mounted - both literally and figuratively.
The final blow came on December 6, when head coach Matt Rhule fired Dylan’s uncle, Donovan Raiola, after four years as Nebraska’s offensive line coach.
It’s a tough ending for a player who once flipped from Georgia to Nebraska as the No. 3 quarterback in the 2024 class. He even set a freshman program record with 2,819 passing yards. But the promise of that first year gave way to injuries, inconsistency, and a program in flux.
Now, both Raiola brothers find themselves at pivotal crossroads. For Dayton, it’s a shot at a championship and a fresh look at his college options. For Dylan, it’s about finding the right fit - a place where he can reset, stay healthy, and finally tap into the potential that once made him one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the country.
Tuesday night, all eyes will be on Dayton under the lights in Atlanta. And somewhere, Dylan will be watching - not just as a brother, but as someone who knows exactly how much this moment means.