Oregon head coach Dan Lanning left no room for ambiguity when discussing his quarterback acquisition. Dylan Raiola, the former five-star prospect who captured national attention at Nebraska, has officially joined the Ducks, and Lanning could not contain his enthusiasm.
Dan Lanning Endorses Dylan Raiola and Explains the Quarterback Dynamic
Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the coach praised Raiola’s abilities while detailing how the talented signal-caller fits into a quarterback room already anchored by Dante Moore, who recently announced his return to Eugene for the 2026 season.
During his appearance alongside Pat McAfee, Lanning offered a revealing look at what drew Oregon to Raiola in the first place and why he believes the former Cornhusker fits seamlessly into the program’s culture.
MORE: Breaking Down the 4 Key Rules in Donald Trump’s Proposed College Football Changes
“We recruited Dylan Raiola out of high school and he has extreme talent,” Lanning said. “We’re really excited that he’s a part of our team.”
McAfee drew a parallel between Raiola’s path and that of Moore, who similarly chose Eugene despite already having starting-caliber talent. Moore committed to the program, sat behind Dillon Gabriel, and developed his craft before emerging as the starter. Lanning acknowledged that blueprint directly.
“Once you’re in a program, now it’s like, OK, proof’s in the pudding,” Lanning explained.
The coaching staff sees genuine camaraderie, not tension, among its quarterbacks. Lanning emphasized that Moore and Raiola have already sharpened one another through just a handful of spring sessions in March.
“Everyone of these guys cheer for each other’s success,” Lanning said. “So these guys compete at the highest level, but when they’re out there on the field, they’re hoping for each other’s success because the stronger we are as a team.”
Raiola’s journey to Eugene carries a significant backstory. Originally committed to Georgia out of high school, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback flipped his pledge to Nebraska, a decision that made him a lightning rod for scrutiny, particularly among SEC fans. His choice to adopt Patrick Mahomes’ jersey number, hairstyle, and warm-up routine only amplified the spotlight on him.
In Oregon, Raiola has embraced reinvention. He now wears No. 8, a jersey steeped in Ducks tradition, after receiving approval from former Oregon quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Gabriel. The connection runs deeper than symbolism: Mariota and Gabriel both grew up in Hawaii, and Raiola lived there for nearly a decade.
Oregon’s momentum extends beyond the quarterback room. Four-star edge rusher Rashad Streets announced his commitment to the Ducks on “The Pat McAfee Show” on April 4, citing the program’s honesty and long-term consistency in recruiting.
MORE: NFL Exec Slams Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier Film as Draft Stock Tumbles
“They were one of my first big offers, and they’ve stuck with me ever since, never steered me wrong, always told me the truth,” Streets said. “I feel like they weren’t trying to sell me something.”
With the sting of a 56-22 Peach Bowl defeat to national champion Indiana still motivating the roster, Lanning described his 2026 squad with one word: “Hungry.”
Spring practice No. 5 loomed ahead, and the Oregon coach made clear his players are channeling last season’s disappointment into relentless preparation, with a spring game set for April 25 serving as the next public measuring stick.
