| Sources: GoDucks.com, 247Sports, SI Oregon (2025-2026)
Dylan Raiola transferred to Oregon after two seasons at Nebraska, bringing 4,819 career passing yards and 31 touchdowns across 22 starts. He is recovering from a broken fibula suffered November 1 against USC and is being managed carefully through spring practice. Raiola received permission to wear #8, Marcus Mariota's iconic number. He is not competing with Dante Moore for the starting job in 2026. He is the insurance policy, the proven backup, and the 2027 successor. That kind of quarterback depth is rare in college football. Most programs would start Raiola. Oregon has the luxury of developing him behind a Heisman candidate.
4,819
Career Pass Yards
At Nebraska
31
Career Pass TDs
22 starts
#8
Jersey Number
Marcus Mariota's number
Jr
Eligibility
2 seasons remaining
4,819
Career passing yards at Nebraska
31 TDs across 22 starts. Now wearing Marcus Mariota's #8. The backup who could start anywhere else in the country.
thequackreport.com
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The grass is not always greener. In fact, the grass is damn green in Eugene.
Dan Lanning
The culture that attracts transfers like Raiola
Why He Matters
The transfer portal has turned college football into a league where quarterback depth defines your ceiling. Oregon lost Austin Novosad to the portal. Behind Dante Moore, the cupboard was bare. Raiola fixes that. He has started 22 college games. He has thrown for nearly 5,000 career yards. If Moore gets hurt, Oregon does not go from CFP contender to 8-4. That alone is worth the roster spot. But Raiola is also the future. Moore will leave for the NFL after 2026. Raiola inherits the offense in 2027 with a full spring and fall camp to prepare. Dan Lanning has never had this kind of QB succession plan.
The Recovery
Raiola broke his fibula on November 1 against USC at Nebraska. The timeline puts him at roughly five months post-surgery by the spring game. Oregon is being cautious, limiting his spring reps, but he is throwing and participating in team activities. By fall camp, he should be fully cleared. The broken leg does not change his arm talent. It does mean the spring game may not show you everything he can do.
The Mariota Number
Wearing #8 at Oregon is not something you just do. That is Marcus Mariota's number. The only Heisman winner in program history. Raiola asked for permission and received it. That tells you two things: Raiola understands the weight of the number, and the program believes he is worthy of carrying it. When he takes the field in #8, 54,000 people at Autzen will remember what that number meant. If Raiola becomes the starter in 2027, that number becomes his story too.
What to Watch at the Spring Game
1
Mobility: the broken fibula was November 1. Watch whether he is moving freely or favoring the leg.
2
Arm talent: Raiola has a strong arm. Watch his deep ball and his ability to throw with anticipation.
3
Command of the offense: is he calling the plays at the line? Does he look comfortable in Mehringer's system?
4
Chemistry with the receivers: he is new to this WR room. Early chemistry matters for a potential 2027 starter.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Dante Moore is the starter in 2026. Raiola is the experienced backup and the projected 2027 starter. He transferred from Nebraska with 4,819 career passing yards and 22 starts.
Raiola entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Nebraska. Oregon offered the combination of a proven program under Dan Lanning, a clear path to starting in 2027, and the chance to compete for a national championship.
Raiola wears #8, Marcus Mariota's iconic number. He received permission from the program to carry it. Mariota is the only Heisman Trophy winner in Oregon history.
Sources: GoDucks.com, 247Sports, SI Oregon (2025-2026). This page covers on-field performance and publicly available recruiting data only.