August 5, 2026
Raiola says Oregon has 'a lot more talent' than Nebraska after transferring
The former Nebraska starter drew attention Tuesday with candid remarks comparing his old program to the Ducks.
Dylan Raiola, the former Nebraska quarterback who transferred to Oregon in January, sparked controversy Tuesday when he told reporters that the Ducks carry significantly more talent than the program he left behind in Lincoln.
Raiola spent two seasons with the Huskers, starting 22 consecutive games and throwing for 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns while helping Nebraska reach back-to-back bowl games for the first time in over a decade. His sophomore year was cut short after nine games — during which he threw for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns — when he suffered a broken fibula. He entered the transfer portal shortly after the regular season ended.
Raiola Reflects on Lincoln, Embraces Eugene
There's not cornfields here. There's mountains and trees, and I love the nature. As far as football, it's different, you know, with coaches and players, we have a lot more talent than we did at Nebraska. And I don't say that to knock on them, but I think everybody will know that. But I'm very grateful for my time there. Learned a lot from my coaches, teammates — still have those relationships — but I think that I'm really excited for what Oregon's going to bring.
— Dylan Raiola, via Sam McKewon
The comments came as Nebraska opened fall camp Tuesday, with players speaking to the media ahead of the first practice of the 2026 season. The Huskers, who received votes in the Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll but did not crack the rankings, enter the year under fourth-year head coach Matt Rhule with 14 starters returning — one of the most experienced rosters in college football. Transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea, the 2025 Mountain West Player of the Year, is set to take over under center. Colandrea praised the offensive line Tuesday, calling it the best he has been around during his college career.
Nebraska faces a demanding schedule that includes five ranked opponents, headlined by No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Oregon. Raiola will be competing for playing time in Eugene, as Oregon enters camp with multiple quarterbacks on its roster. At Nebraska, meanwhile, the mood Tuesday was one of confidence. Receiver Riley Van Poppel said the team did not come to Nebraska to win seven games, echoing the optimistic tone Rhule struck at Big Ten Media Days last week in Chicago.
