Quarterback of the Iowa Rival Dylan Raiola is anticipated to access the transfer portal. College football’s offseason carousel is starting to spin even though the NCAA transfer portal hasn’t formally opened yet. Early on, big names are emerging, and one of the most noteworthy developments concerns a well-known rival of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola is anticipated to use the transfer portal and start looking into new options elsewhere, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos.
The Big Ten landscape was rocked by the news right away, especially considering Raiola’s stature and the long-standing Iowa-Nebraska rivalry. Raiola, who has played for Lincoln for the last two seasons, was once thought to be a key component of the Cornhuskers’ quarterbacking future. It now seems like he might be leaving Nebraska. Midway through the 2025 season, Raiola sustained a leg injury that prevented him from playing for the rest of the season. What had been another productive season under center was cut short by the injury, which probably contributed to the timing of his anticipated portal entry. According to reports, Raiola is already getting ready to test the market and see what options are available, even though the portal window hasn’t formally opened.
As the Cornhuskers’ quarterback, Raiola finished with a strong 13-9 record while starting 22 games. In terms of statistics, he created an effective resume. Raiola threw for 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns during his time in college, but he also had 17 interceptions. His efficiency was perhaps most impressive, as he completed 69.1% of his pass attempts, demonstrating both accuracy and offensive command. Raiola is a well-known name in Iowa, even though the Hawkeyes only played him once while he was in Lincoln. That one encounter took place at the 2024 Heroes Trophy Game, which aptly encapsulated the rivalry’s ferocity and unpredictable nature. In that game, Raiola kept Nebraska competitive by completing 22 of 32 passes for 190 yards.
But the pivotal moment was delayed. Raiola’s costly fumble in the final seconds gave Iowa prime field position, which the Hawkeyes took advantage of to win 13–10 on a game-winning kick. It was just another chapter in a rivalry full of suspenseful endings for Iowa supporters. It served as a reminder to Raiola of how narrow the margin for error can be when playing quarterback.
Raiola’s anticipated entry into the transfer portal is particularly notable due to his pedigree. He was one of the most sought-after recruits in the country after graduating from Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. Raiola was the No. 2 quarterback and the No. 7 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class, and 247Sports rated him as a five-star prospect.
His hiring was of the highest caliber. Many of the top college football teams, including Georgia, Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, USC, and Notre Dame, among others, extended offers to Raiola. That degree of interest highlights the expectations that followed him to Nebraska as well as his natural talent.
Even though Raiola displayed moments of elite play while with the Cornhuskers, it seems that the combination of injury setbacks, program uncertainty, and the dynamic nature of college football has forced him to start over. Quarterbacks with strong production and starting experience are rarely available for very long in today’s transfer-heavy era, so once Raiola’s name is officially added to the portal, he will probably attract a lot of attention.
Raiola’s departure from Nebraska would represent yet another significant change in the quarterback landscape for Iowa and the Big Ten. It’s unclear if he will sign with another Big Ten school or go somewhere else, but one thing is certain: the college football community will keep a close eye on his choice. Raiola’s predicament serves as another reminder of how quickly rosters and rivalries can change in contemporary college football as the transfer portal period draws near.
