Reports indicate that Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal. The news broke on Monday, December 15, 2025, with various media outlets confirming the sophomore's decision. Raiola's departure marks a significant shift for the Cornhuskers as they prepare for their upcoming Las Vegas Bowl appearance against No. 15 Utah. The transfer portal window officially opens on January 2, 2026, and remains open for 15 days, closing on January 16.
Raiola, a former five-star recruit and Nebraska legacy, spent the last two seasons with the Cornhuskers. Over 22 games, he amassed 4,819 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions, completing 69.1% of his passes. In the 2025 season, he completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions over nine starts. Despite showing improvements in his play, Raiola's time at Nebraska was marked by inconsistency and a failure to elevate the program to its desired level of national relevance. The Cornhuskers held a 13-9 record with Raiola as a starter.
His 2025 season was cut short due to a broken leg sustained in early November against USC, causing him to miss the latter part of the season. Prior to the injury, Raiola's completion percentage ranked third in the Big Ten, trailing only Oregon's Dante Moore and Heisman finalist Julian Sayin.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule acknowledged Raiola's progress but emphasized the need for further development. Rhule had expressed a desire to maintain the current quarterback room, including Raiola and freshman TJ Lateef, through the January portal window. With Raiola's impending transfer, Nebraska will likely turn to the transfer portal to seek a replacement. Lateef led Nebraska to a win against UCLA and played through a hamstring injury in a loss to Iowa. The Huskers are hoping Lateef will be healthy enough to play in the upcoming bowl game against Utah.
Raiola's decision to transfer comes amidst a wave of quarterbacks entering the portal, including Florida's DJ Lagway and Michigan State's Aidan Chiles. As a former five-star recruit and the No. 7 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class, Raiola will likely attract attention from numerous programs. However, Texas Tech is not expected to be a contender for Raiola's services. Miami, Baylor and Tennessee could be in the mix.
Raiola will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next destination. His departure also follows the decommitment of his younger brother, Dayton Raiola, from Nebraska in December.
