Dylan Raiola’s Connection With His Brother Has Oregon Buzzing

It's a family affair in Eugene... and the on-field connection already looks strong.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola transferred from Big Ten foe Nebraska this offseason. With that decision came a bonus domino: his brother, Dayton Raiola, committed to the Ducks and coach Dan Lanning.

Feb 9, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (left) and running back Emmett Johnson walk to their seats before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Dayton also played quarterback at the high school level, but is now a tight end at Oregon and is wearing jersey No. 81.

The Ducks are eight practices into spring football, and the Raiola brothers are already turning heads on offense.

Dylan Raiola and Dayton Raiola Connection

In a video posted by the Oregon Football Instagram account, Dylan connected with Dayton for a touchdown and the two celebrated in the end zone. It's an early sign of a quarterback in Dylan that is already comfortable in the Ducks system, highlighted by a built-in connection that could fast-track production.

It's a family affair in Eugene.

Oregon QB Dylan Raiola ➡️ TE Dayton Raiola

📹 @oregonfootball #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/O7MXUhRLbd
— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) April 13, 2026

Of course, it's just a sneak peek that doesn't warrant massive overreactions but... It's also a glimpse into the future. If the freshman Dayton develops quickly, the Ducks suddenly have a quarterback-receiver duo with rare natural sync for the 2027 season, with Dylan in position to lead the offense.

For Ducks fans this is a fun reminder of the excitement in 2023 of cheering on two other brothers in form Duck quarterback Bo Nix and receiver Tez Johnson. Johnson was Nix's go-to target as he broke the Oregon single-season record for receptions with 86 while racking up 1,182 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Nix earned a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist and became a first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) during the second half against the Liberty Flames in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

If the Raiola brothers can emulate the same type of production, the sky is the limit for the Ducks offense.

Dayton was a two-year starter at Georgia's Buford High School and was previously committed to Nebraska. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound athlete ranked as a three-star, the No. 128 athlete and No. 1860 player nationally in the 2026 class, per 247 Sports Composite.

Dylan is now fully recovered from injury. While Raiola’s arm talent has long been well-documented, it’s his football IQ that is helping him command Oregon’s high-volume offense that is standing out to coaches within the program.

Oregon Ducks Nebraska Cornhuskers College Football Big Ten Dylan Raiola Dante Moore quarterback USC Trojans broken fibula — Nov 28, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) greets the team as the walk into the stadium before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

"Dylan's progressed well. Through the winter months, we were still kind of nursing that injury. Now he's full go. He is beyond cerebral. I've known him for a little bit. I've known his family for a little bit, and I always knew he was smart, but he has really impressed me with his football knowledge. I think because of that, he's been able to pick up this offense at a very quick rate," Oregon quarterbacks coach Koa Ka'ai said of Raiola.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback has two full seasons of eligibility left. He represents a rare succession plan after starter Dante Moore likely goes to the NFL in 2027. Raiola is expected by many to redshirt the 2026 season, which allows him the opportunity to build chemistry with his teammates before earning a potential starting role in 2027.

Last season at Nebraska, Raiola played in nine games before suffering a season-ending broken fibula in Nebraska’s 21-17 home loss to the USC Trojans. Before his season ended, Raiola threw for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 2025 for the Cornhuskers.

The first chance Oregon fans will have to see both Raiola brothers in an Oregon uniform comes during the Ducks' annual spring game on April 25 in Autzen Stadium. Admission is free.

Oregon Ducks Family Ties

Beyond the Nix-Johnson family tie, there are several other family connections within the Oregon Ducks program.

Combat Ducks quarterback Akili Smith Jr. throws a pass before the game as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Ducks spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon defensive back Cruz Rushing and outside linebacker Elijah Rushing bring a brotherly bond to the field, while outside linebacker Teitum Tuioti is the son of defensive line coach Tony Tuioti.

Along the offensive line, center Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu follows in the footsteps of his older brother, former Duck Faaope Laloulu. The family ties extend even further with quarterback Akili Smith Jr., the son of former Oregon standout Akili Smith, who starred in the late 1990s and was selected No. 3 overall in the 1999 NFL Draft.

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