The 2025 season at Nebraska was certainly not what Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola envisioned initially. While the campaign wasn’t a total disappointment, it was just another middle-of-the-road 7-5 season with a Las Vegas Bowl invitation.
It might be time for Raiola to explore more competitive programs if he wants to make his way to the NFL eventually. The recent firing of his uncle and offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, and the decommitment of his brother, Dayton Raiola, might prompt him to move in a new direction.
Top 5 Teams That Make Sense For Dylan Raiola
#5 Georgia Bulldogs – SEC
Dylan Raiola initially committed to the Georgia Bulldogs as a high school recruit before flipping to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. There’s a good chance that the Bulldogs will be looking for a new quarterback in 2026 if Gunner Stockton goes to the NFL. This would be a significant upgrade for Raiola, joining a true-blooded program that is always in the SEC and national championship conversations. However, it isn’t a done deal that Stockton will leave, hence why this is so low on the list.
#4 Alabama Crimson Tide – SEC
This is similar to joining the Georgia Bulldogs, with the added factor that it seems much more likely that Ty Simpson will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft following a Heisman-caliber season. Easily a top-five program in the history of the sport, the one downside is that since Nick Saban’s retirement, the Tide has lost some of the aura they generated during their 2010s dynasty run.
#3 Miami Hurricanes – ACC
The Hurricanes are looking for a quarterback in 2026, as Carson Beck has run out of eligibility years. It seems that their strategy of targeting highly experienced quarterbacks for a last dance at Miami (first with Cam Ward and now with Beck) will fail for a second consecutive year, as it seems unlikely they’ll make the College Football Playoff unless the committee grants them a favorable matchup against Notre Dame. Why not a different approach this time: Draft an experienced player with some years of eligibility left, so they can have some breathing room if things don’t pan out. Dylan Raiola fits the bill.
#2 Oregon Ducks – Big Ten
Dante Moore has another year of eligibility left, but it does seem like he will declare for the NFL Draft. When they look for a quarterback, they will likely search for someone with Power Four experience, and Big Ten experience would be preferred. Raiola has two seasons of experience in the conference, and he was recruited by the Ducks back in the day. However, he’s purely a pocket passer, and that could be a deal breaker for Dan Lanning.
#1 LSU Tigers – SEC
Having arrived at Baton Rouge, Lane Kiffin is certainly looking for a quarterback already. Garrett Nussmeier is out of eligibility years, and the Tigers are about to start a lengthy rebuild. Why not bring in Dylan Raiola? He has several years of eligibility left, but brings significant experience as a starter. He could develop under Kiffin and eventually challenge for the national title with them.
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