I’m one for moving on. So, I’m going to share my final thoughts on Dylan Raiola going to Oregon and then I won’t broach the subject again. I wish him well. But it’s hard for me to get too busted up over him leaving. Frankly, I think Nebraska is better off and has improved their quarterback room immensely with Anthony Colandrea, Daniel Kailen, TJ Lateef, and now Tanner Vibabul. Not to mention 2027 commit Trae Taylor.
In the news today Oregon starting QB Dante Moore announced he would be foregoing the NFL draft and returning to Eugene for another season. Some expect Raiola to bolt, guessing Moore’s return wasn’t in his plans when he decided to go to Oregon. Making a change at this point wouldn’t be unexpected. Raiola has shown a tendency not to stick anywhere long.
Others say Moore’s return is okay, because part of Raiola’s plan was to red shirt anyway, going the same route Moore went by sitting out a season and learning from Dillion Gabriel. It sounds like a great idea and a perfect opportunity for him to heal, get in better shape, become more athletic, and work on his footwork.
But will he? He had two offseasons to do that at Nebraska and it didn’t happen.
If sorry, maybe I’m skeptical because humility has never been one of Dylan’s strong suits. We’re talking about someone who played at three different high schools, committed to both Ohio State and Georgia and then decommitted when he realized he wouldn’t be an immediate starter. He finally went to Nebraska because he knew they would make him the day one starter and give him a truck load of money.
Rhule admitted his mistake on a podcast this week, basically, saying he should have signed Kyle McCord and let Dylan sit a year. But I’m not convinced Raiola would have come to Nebraska if Rhule had gone that route.
Honestly, I was shocked when Raiola announced he was going to Oregon. I don’t see him fitting the QB mold the Ducks have created under Dan Lanning. Their last three QB’s have had the ability to scramble and even run the ball.
In 2023 QB Bo Nix rushed for 234 yards and 6 TDs while being sacked 5 times for -31 yards.
In 2024 QB Dillion Gabrial rushed for 149 yards and 7 TDs while being sacked 21 times for -162 yards.
In 2025 QB Dante Moore rushed for 156 yards, 2 TDs while being sacked 17 times for -128 yards.
In Dylan Raiola’s two seasons at Nebraska (2024-25), he had 0 positive yards and 0 TDs rushing. He was sacked 54 times for -274 yards.
You can point to the offensive scheme or pass blocking and say his poor stats are due to that. But even if you cut the sack total in half, he holds the ball too long and he’s scared to run or get hit. And what about the 0 rushing TDs in 96 rushing attempts? In my opinion it’s a important stat. How important?
If you watched the Miami – Ole Miss game and witnessed Carson Beck rushing for the winning TD, then you know how important it can be. Miami had the ball at the three-yard line, but after dropping back to pass Beck took off from the eleven-yard line and scored with seconds left in the game. If you were a head coach, who would you be more comfortable with making that play to win, Moore or Raiola?
I read a comment this week that said, “Dylan’s feet aren’t his best asset.” Looking at his rushing numbers, that’s far from a news flash, and the Ducks are deeply mistaken if they think adding a ‘Nike Swoosh’ to the concrete blocks on Raiola’s feet will create the rushing numbers they are looking for.
Much of Raiola’s success will depend on Oregon’s new offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer. The 38-year-old Mehringer replaces Will Stein who took the Kentucky head coaching job. Mehringer had the title of co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach before Stein left.
Mehringer is from the Tom Herman coaching tree and has followed him throughout his career. From playing for him at Rice to being a GA under him at Iowa State and Ohio State, to serving as his wide receiver’s coach at Houston and Texas. It’s safe to say Herman has been a big influence on him. As for offensive coordinator experience, Mehringer was OC/QB coach at James Madison in 2014, and at Rutgers in 2016. He was also co-OC or WR/QB coach at Florida Atlantic in 2020 and at New Mexico in 2021.
Mehringer is a popular coach with his players and is known for being innovative. He also has a reputation for being a top recruiter. He has coached multiple quarterbacks and came up under a quarterback coach in Herman. If anyone can make Raiola more than just a quarterback who wins with his arm, then perhaps he can.
We’ll have to wait and see. But if I were a Duck fan, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST VIOLENT!!
Photo courtesy of The Falls City Journal
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