2026 Nebraska Football Commit Dayton Raiola Set to Play in Nationally Televised Game

The younger brother of Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola will begin his senior high school season on ESPN2 in August.

2026 QB commit Dayton Raiola at a private workout. | @dayton.raiola/Instagram

Dayton Raiola will be on the bright lights before ever playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The 2026 Nebraska football quarterback commit will make a national appearance on ESPN2 after the worldwide sports programming network announced its list of high school football broadcasts for the upcoming high school football season. No. 12 Buford (Ga.) will host No. 11 Milton (Ga.) on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN2.

Raiola and Buford will also make their first appearance inside of Buford's brand new 10,000-seat Phillip Beard Stadium. The $62 million stadium features a 3,500-square-foot video scoreboard, 15 covered luxury suites, and two-story field house complete with a locker room. The stadium is one of the largest high school football stadiums in the Southeast for one of the top high school football programs in the nation.

Buford High School in Georgia has officially opened its new $62 million football stadium.

• 10,000 seats
• 15 luxury suites
• 3,500 sqft video scoreboard
• Two-story fieldhouse with locker rooms

This is nicer than many college football stadiums.

(📸: Miguel Martinez/AJC) pic.twitter.com/sjyUTeC9DL

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) July 29, 2025

Raiola committed to Nebraska football last September, becoming the Huskers' first commit of the 2026 cycle. He followed the steps of his older brother, Dylan, who was the starter for Buford his senior season.

Dayton Raiola enters his second season leading the Buford High School Wolves. The Eagles are the defending Georgia High School Association 5A state champs after taking the 2023 7A title. Dayton finished his 2024 campaign with 1,953 passing yards and 19 touchdowns across 14 games, pushing Buford to a state semifinals finish.

The contest features two teams ranked in the top 12 nationally and includes many ESPN-Top 300 talents. Milford's roster includes tight end Grant Haviland, the No. 113-ranked player in the class of 2027. Buford features Raiola, a three-star recruit by ESPN, as well as Texas A&M defensive tackle commit Bryce Perry-Wright (No. 55) and Georgia athlete commit Tyriq Green (No. 175).

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule with 2026 commits Dayton Raiola (middle) and Claude Mpouma. | @c_pu_ma_/Instagram

The 6-foot-2 quarterback is the son of former Husker All-America center Dominic Raiola and the nephew of Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola. Dayton has been a frequent visitor to Nebraska football events, including the Huskers' 28-10 September victory over Colorado in 2024, as well as the 2025 Husker Games and other recruitment opportunities.

Raiola earned an offer and commitment over in-state quarterback Jett Thomalla of Millard South. Thomalla made headlines earlier this summer after flipping his commitment from the Big 12's Iowa State to the SEC's Alabama. The 2026 four-star quarterback led the Patriots to a Class A championship in 2024 after passing for a state-record 3,664 yards with 47 touchdowns and three interceptions.

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