How ‘total buy-in’ of Oregon program led Dylan Raiola to the Ducks

Dylan Raiola might not know what it feels like to sit on the bench, but it's an idea he's had to grow to accept since arriving on campus in Eugene. The Oregon Ducks are prepared to roll with Dante Moore for presumably his final season in pursuit of a national championship, while Raiola studies behind him and stays ready if he's needed. "You’ve got to humble yourself," the former Nebraska starting quarterback said Tuesday.

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't take a couple of practices to get used to it. But at the same time, it's all learning, and it's all trying to eventually achieve the goal of mine, and obviously of Dante's right now. And that's our whole room's goal: to get Dante to where he wants to go.

It's a great person to learn from. ” Raiola, a former 5-star, started all 22 games he was healthy for with the Cornhuskers over the past two seasons. There were some growing pains, as Raiola led the Big Ten with 11 interceptions in 2024 and finished his time in Lincoln with a 13-9 record.

He suffered a broken fibula in November and was sidelined for the rest of the season before entering the transfer portal. In the past, Raiola has been subject to heavy criticism, both on and off the field. When he decided to come to Oregon, it wasn't with the mindset that he would pick up where he left off and try again.