Inside Dylan Raiola's Nebraska divorce: NIL drama, family influence and Oregon's QB succession plan
Why one of college football's highest-paid players in 2025 is starting over as a backup
Thoughts?
Lots of spin and fiction in that story. The 3.5 million number is BS for starters. It’s also a fact that NU had decided to move on from Donovan and Dylan shortly after Dylan’s injury. Dana was frustrated by Dylan’s inability to execute the whole offense and RPO QB run game. There’s no way in hell Dylan “wanted” to sit for a year as a backup.![]()
Inside Dylan Raiola's Nebraska divorce: NIL drama, family influence and Oregon's QB succession plan
Why one of college football's highest-paid players in 2025 is starting over as a backupwww.cbssports.com
Thoughts?
Ya the last part about willing to sit is laughable. The only reason he came to Nebraska because he didn’t have to sit.Lots of spin and fiction in that story. The 3.5 million number is BS for starters. It’s also a fact that NU had decided to move on from Donovan and Dylan shortly after Dylan’s injury. Dana was frustrated by Dylan’s inability to execute the whole offense and RPO QB run game. There’s no way in hell Dylan “wanted” to sit for a year as a backup.
I'm assuming it's 50-50 he is the starter there next year. They have other quality dudes that came to start as well.Everyone has a plan until they are punched in the face. We will see if he’s ever the head of the Flying V pack up there
A booster of substance told me the TOTAL deal was 3 million over 3 years, not 3 million per year. Now maybe that got renegotiated but there were reports of 3 million per year early on and he said that was completely false.I‘ve heard it was a little over 2 Million.
Exactly. I agree with this 100%. After Dylan was injured it was clear Dylan wasn’t coming back and the coaches were totally fine with it.Lots of spin and fiction in that story. The 3.5 million number is BS for starters. It’s also a fact that NU had decided to move on from Donovan and Dylan shortly after Dylan’s injury. Dana was frustrated by Dylan’s inability to execute the whole offense and RPO QB run game. There’s no way in hell Dylan “wanted” to sit for a year as a backup.
I recall people hoping DR wouldn't leave because there would be a mass exodus of players.Exactly. I agree with this 100%. After Dylan was injured it was clear Dylan wasn’t coming back and the coaches were totally fine with it.
He is yet another five star bust.
He thought their QB was gone and had said as much. He was surprised he ended up staying - anything he’s saying now about sitting is turd polishing.Lots of spin and fiction in that story. The 3.5 million number is BS for starters. It’s also a fact that NU had decided to move on from Donovan and Dylan shortly after Dylan’s injury. Dana was frustrated by Dylan’s inability to execute the whole offense and RPO QB run game. There’s no way in hell Dylan “wanted” to sit for a year as a backup.
Totally agree.Everyone has a plan until they are punched in the face. We will see if he’s ever the head of the Flying V pack up there
He's basically our version of Tanner Lee at Tulane. Glimpses of amazing but not consistent.I expected a lot more juice in that article haha, right when I started thinking they might be getting into any interesting details the article ended.
The entire saga felt like both sides expected more from the other, whether it was performance, development, adding the right roster pieces, getting even more spotlight, etc.
I know I certainly expected WAY more from Raiola, he never performed like a 5* game changer type of talent here. Maybe he'll reach that point with different coaches? I'm not sure. I wouldn't even include him in my top 5 QBs we've had in the past 20 years or whatever though. I don't have ill will toward him, but I will be surprised if he ever becomes a starter at Oregon.
DIdn't read. I'm glad he moved on. The whole Mahomes thing was just gay. It just seemed like a rich kid without respect for the history of the program.![]()
Inside Dylan Raiola's Nebraska divorce: NIL drama, family influence and Oregon's QB succession plan
Why one of college football's highest-paid players in 2025 is starting over as a backupwww.cbssports.com
Thoughts?
There is NO WAY that Nebraska "moved on" from Dylan. Their offense completely cratered without him and they went out and got an inefficient qb from a lower conference to replace him. Dana doesn't even run a qb run heavy offense, and Dylan's lack of mobility only hurt because he had no pass protection. This is such a stupid take, not surprised by the source but in no reality ever would this Nebraska team dump a qb would was looking at a 25 td season with 3000 yards and a 70% completion %. The chances of Dylan making it 3 years at NU without transferring were almost nil when he came here. We would get two years..either he gets drafted or transfer. It was the latter.Lots of spin and fiction in that story. The 3.5 million number is BS for starters. It’s also a fact that NU had decided to move on from Donovan and Dylan shortly after Dylan’s injury. Dana was frustrated by Dylan’s inability to execute the whole offense and RPO QB run game. There’s no way in hell Dylan “wanted” to sit for a year as a backup.
It doesn't matter. I don't think AC will be better, but he will be different. Both Dylan and Nebraska needed something different. I'm glad its over for Dylan, and for NU.There is NO WAY that Nebraska "moved on" from Dylan. Their offense completely cratered without him and they went out and got an inefficient qb from a lower conference to replace him. Dana doesn't even run a qb run heavy offense, and Dylan's lack of mobility only hurt because he had no pass protection. This is such a stupid take, not surprised by the source but in no reality ever would this Nebraska team dump a qb would was looking at a 25 td season with 3000 yards and a 70% completion %. The chances of Dylan making it 3 years at NU without transferring were almost nil when he came here. We would get two years..either he gets drafted or transfer. It was the latter.
I think it’s 50-50 if Dylan is at Oregon next year.I'm assuming it's 50-50 he is the starter there next year. They have other quality dudes that came to start as well.
Unless he loses 35 pounds and works extensively on lateral quickness & quicker blinking...I don't see it.
They basically moved on from Dylan when they told Donovan he was being let go at the end of the season. I heard Donnie was gone the week before the sh$$ hit the fan with the Raiola’s. Shortly after that Dayton “decommited”. They knew Dylan would leave. There were multiple posters on here saying with several weeks left that Donnie was getting canned.There is NO WAY that Nebraska "moved on" from Dylan. Their offense completely cratered without him and they went out and got an inefficient qb from a lower conference to replace him. Dana doesn't even run a qb run heavy offense, and Dylan's lack of mobility only hurt because he had no pass protection. This is such a stupid take, not surprised by the source but in no reality ever would this Nebraska team dump a qb would was looking at a 25 td season with 3000 yards and a 70% completion %. The chances of Dylan making it 3 years at NU without transferring were almost nil when he came here. We would get two years..either he gets drafted or transfer. It was the latter.
You live in a false reality.There is NO WAY that Nebraska "moved on" from Dylan. Their offense completely cratered without him and they went out and got an inefficient qb from a lower conference to replace him. Dana doesn't even run a qb run heavy offense, and Dylan's lack of mobility only hurt because he had no pass protection. This is such a stupid take, not surprised by the source but in no reality ever would this Nebraska team dump a qb would was looking at a 25 td season with 3000 yards and a 70% completion %. The chances of Dylan making it 3 years at NU without transferring were almost nil when he came here. We would get two years..either he gets drafted or transfer. It was the latter.
I am guessing also but I would say you’re pretty accurate with your guess. As you say it’s just different with all the money involved it’s a business now . It’s no different than I want more money and different benefits to stay at your company to work and you want me to stay but not under those conditions so I just go on my way.My best guess (and it's only a guess) - both parties were ready to move on. Anyone who thinks we were beholden to DR and clutching our pearls praying he'd stay are misguided IMO. We likely wanted him to stay but with different guidelines. One Nebraska requirement might have been that Uncle Donnie is getting fired. Another might've been that we aren't raising your NIL like you want. Or NU won't guarantee they won't bring in a transfer portal competitor.
See how this works?
The Raiola family also likely had demands that we did not want to meet. In the old days when a kid left the school it was usually one side or the other that made the decision. Today? Often the two parties couldn't agree on a bunch of things money related (and other things). For the money we were paying Dylan and the demands the family made - yes, Nebraska was likely at ease with the separation.
Does NU wish he would've stayed? YES. But under different agreements. So yes, both parties realized they were at an impasse. Just my guess.
My best guess (and it's only a guess) - both parties were ready to move on. Anyone who thinks we were beholden to DR and clutching our pearls praying he'd stay are misguided IMO. We likely wanted him to stay but with different guidelines. One Nebraska requirement might have been that Uncle Donnie is getting fired. Another might've been that we aren't raising your NIL like you want. Or NU won't guarantee they won't bring in a transfer portal competitor.
See how this works?
The Raiola family also likely had demands that we did not want to meet. In the old days when a kid left the school it was usually one side or the other that made the decision. Today? Often the two parties couldn't agree on a bunch of things money related (and other things). For the money we were paying Dylan and the demands the family made - yes, Nebraska was likely at ease with the separation.
Does NU wish he would've stayed? YES. But under different agreements. So yes, both parties realized they were at an impasse. Just my guess.
We can all see his deficiencies but can we really expect better production than 73% completion, 18/6 and with some of the worst pass protection in the country. I mean lets say he was slightly better...80% completion, 20/4, 3000 yards in 2/3 of a season for a true sophomore. That is INSANE production. I can imagine that they had the uncle donnie discussion and that might have been a non-negotiable for both sides. But in a "football only" universe, NU needed him back, but with a better oline. Just like with Rhule, I will end up being right as we see Colandrea is a complete downgrade from Dylan. He might run a bit in the first three games but he won't stay healthy through the big 10 schedule, and you guys will puke when he has to read defenses and make tough throws on 3rd and long. Losing Dylan will be one of the big "misses" of the Rhule era in hindsight.My best guess (and it's only a guess) - both parties were ready to move on. Anyone who thinks we were beholden to DR and clutching our pearls praying he'd stay are misguided IMO. We likely wanted him to stay but with different guidelines. One Nebraska requirement might have been that Uncle Donnie is getting fired. Another might've been that we aren't raising your NIL like you want. Or NU won't guarantee they won't bring in a transfer portal competitor.
See how this works?
The Raiola family also likely had demands that we did not want to meet. In the old days when a kid left the school it was usually one side or the other that made the decision. Today? Often the two parties couldn't agree on a bunch of things money related (and other things). For the money we were paying Dylan and the demands the family made - yes, Nebraska was likely at ease with the separation.
Does NU wish he would've stayed? YES. But under different agreements. So yes, both parties realized they were at an impasse. Just my guess.
Donnie isn't coaching at Oregon. Dylan isn't even starting at Oregon and he likely lost millions to leave Nebraska to go sit on the bench. This is a major indictment on Nebraska. Dylan could have stayed in an offense he is familiar with, in a place he is familiar with, been a 3 year starter, and get paid millions...instead he chose to leave to a place with no family ties, isn't his favorite team growing up, who isn't paying him as much, and hasn't promised him playing time, all the while recovering from injury and having to earn the respect of a very good program. Just another case of "Rhule's way" leading to losing. There is no reason that Donnie could not have "moved on" and taken another job while Dylan stayed at NU.They basically moved on from Dylan when they told Donovan he was being let go at the end of the season. I heard Donnie was gone the week before the sh$$ hit the fan with the Raiola’s. Shortly after that Dayton “decommited”. They knew Dylan would leave. There were multiple posters on here saying with several weeks left that Donnie was getting canned.
Dude, you’re so off with the situation, you have zero clue.Donnie isn't coaching at Oregon. Dylan isn't even starting at Oregon and he likely lost millions to leave Nebraska to go sit on the bench. This is a major indictment on Nebraska. Dylan could have stayed in an offense he is familiar with, in a place he is familiar with, been a 3 year starter, and get paid millions...instead he chose to leave to a place with no family ties, isn't his favorite team growing up, who isn't paying him as much, and hasn't promised him playing time, all the while recovering from injury and having to earn the respect of a very good program. Just another case of "Rhule's way" leading to losing. There is no reason that Donnie could not have "moved on" and taken another job while Dylan stayed at NU.
Reading your comments its clear you do not have a clue what you're talking about. Its best you stop talking before you make a bigger fool of yourself.We can all see his deficiencies but can we really expect better production than 73% completion, 18/6 and with some of the worst pass protection in the country. I mean lets say he was slightly better...80% completion, 20/4, 3000 yards in 2/3 of a season for a true sophomore. That is INSANE production. I can imagine that they had the uncle donnie discussion and that might have been a non-negotiable for both sides. But in a "football only" universe, NU needed him back, but with a better oline. Just like with Rhule, I will end up being right as we see Colandrea is a complete downgrade from Dylan. He might run a bit in the first three games but he won't stay healthy through the big 10 schedule, and you guys will puke when he has to read defenses and make tough throws on 3rd and long. Losing Dylan will be one of the big "misses" of the Rhule era in hindsight.
Donnie isn't coaching at Oregon. Dylan isn't even starting at Oregon and he likely lost millions to leave Nebraska to go sit on the bench. This is a major indictment on Nebraska. Dylan could have stayed in an offense he is familiar with, in a place he is familiar with, been a 3 year starter, and get paid millions...instead he chose to leave to a place with no family ties, isn't his favorite team growing up, who isn't paying him as much, and hasn't promised him playing time, all the while recovering from injury and having to earn the respect of a very good program. Just another case of "Rhule's way" leading to losing. There is no reason that Donnie could not have "moved on" and taken another job while Dylan stayed at NU.
Wat? You act like it isn't the fault of the school when they can't maintain or recruit talent. The fact Nebraska can't recruit a single draft pick in the first 5 rounds is just the kids fault, not NU's. Rhule has no responsibility in keeping his talent on the roster, no responsibility to provide the best coaching, development, and experience. Puke. And Donny isnt the decider because Donny isn't at Oregon. Rhule sucks, the program is ***, Dylan was wasting his time to the extent that he decided to go be a backup at a good school to develop when two years starting at NU did absolutely nothing for him. I am sure it is hard to accept that NU is trash and an embarrassment, but there isn't a single data point to support competency in the program. We were a bad team last year, and lost our two best players. Both could have come back.As written, your response does not make sense.
1. You tell us Raiola had it made with Nebraska - millions of dollars, starting job, etc.
2. New place has no family ties, nor his childhood dream school, no promised playing time
3. Then you.......blame Nebraska for him making this decision?
I'm sure you have something swirling in your head - but here you have not provided a single reason why he actually left. You generically blame Rhule / Nebraska, but your argument lacks any reasonable reason, insight or suggestion as to WHY.
We gave him the world: Starting job, millions of dollars, the guy even was promised to lead the team out of the tunnel. He leaves NU and you blame the school? Make your argument make sense with at least SOMETHING because so far it is illogical. You can't stand Rhule (we get it). I'm not a big fan either. But you have not connected any dots here as to what might have happened, other than basically saying "Rhule sucks!"
Wat? You act like it isn't the fault of the school when they can't maintain or recruit talent. The fact Nebraska can't recruit a single draft pick in the first 5 rounds is just the kids fault, not NU's. Rhule has no responsibility in keeping his talent on the roster, no responsibility to provide the best coaching, development, and experience. Puke. And Donny isnt the decider because Donny isn't at Oregon. Rhule sucks, the program is ***, Dylan was wasting his time to the extent that he decided to go be a backup at a good school to develop when two years starting at NU did absolutely nothing for him. I am sure it is hard to accept that NU is trash and an embarrassment, but there isn't a single data point to support competency in the program. We were a bad team last year, and lost our two best players. Both could have come back.
Wat? You act like it isn't the fault of the school when they can't maintain or recruit talent. The fact Nebraska can't recruit a single draft pick in the first 5 rounds is just the kids fault, not NU's. Rhule has no responsibility in keeping his talent on the roster, no responsibility to provide the best coaching, development, and experience. Puke. And Donny isnt the decider because Donny isn't at Oregon. Rhule sucks, the program is ***, Dylan was wasting his time to the extent that he decided to go be a backup at a good school to develop when two years starting at NU did absolutely nothing for him. I am sure it is hard to accept that NU is trash and an embarrassment, but there isn't a single data point to support competency in the program. We were a bad team last year, and lost our two best players. Both could have come back.
Okay everyone, I tried.
You proved my point. "Rhule sucks!" is the only argument you have.
You don't want a dialogue, you want a soap box to b*tch. Got it. I'll stick with people who actually like to discuss what may have happened rather than "Did I tell you guys yet - Rhule sucks!"
In fairness, how are we supposed to discuss what happened when nobody seems to know what happened? Pro DR crowd is gonna blame Rhule. Anti DR crowd is gonna blame DR. Doesn’t seem like that big of a stretch to me.
Totally agree some can and will blame Rhule. And that is totally reasonable. I blame Rhule for a lot of things (like Satterfield, horrible Novembers, soft team etc) What I'm asking is how do people think the DR thing went down?
Is the theory Raiola just happened to wake up one day and was like "Rhule now sucks! Rhule gave me everything I wanted but...now he sucks." See where I'm going? People who blame Rhule - it would be nice to have a theory behind what went down. The "Rhule sucks" thing is light in details.
I'm open to blaming Rhule but Orclover hasn't given any meat on that bone.
They took their ball and tried for multiple schools but asked for too much and finally found a school in Oregon.My overly simple take is that there are 2 theories. One is that, yeah the Raiolas decided Rhule and NU weren’t giving him a good enough opportunity and they decided to take a shot at a program with more potential. Both for his development and for chances to win. Even if that meant he’d have to sit a year. So, they took their ball and went to Eugene. Theory 2 is that Rhule decided he’d seen enough, given enough, catered enough, etc and DR wasn’t talented enough to put up with all of it. Squeak wasn’t worth the grease so to speak.