The Nebraska Cornhuskers are facing a major setback as quarterback Dylan Raiola has been ruled out for the season and his younger brother, Dayton Raiola, has officially decommitted from the program. The developments strike a blow to Nebraska’s plans just weeks before the early signing period on December 3–5.
Dylan Raiola’s Season-Ending Injury
Dylan Raiola suffered a broken right fibula during the Nov. 1 matchup against USC. The sophomore quarterback took a hard hit early in the third quarter, lost a fumble, and immediately collapsed in pain. Despite wanting to return, he couldn’t put weight on his leg and was removed for the remainder of the game.
Before the injury, Dylan had been delivering an impressive 2025 campaign, completing 72.4% of his passes, throwing for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only six interceptions across nine games. Nebraska’s offense had been built around his growth and accuracy, making his loss even more significant.
True freshman TJ Lateef stepped in and has shown promise, completing 13 of 15 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns in the recent win over UCLA.
Dayton Raiola Decommits Ahead of Signing Period
Just weeks after Dylan’s injury, his younger brother Dayton Raiola reopened his recruitment. The three-star quarterback from Buford High School, ranked No. 76 pocket passer in the 2026 class, had committed to Nebraska in September 2024. He announced his decommitment on November 19, creating a new challenge for the Huskers’ recruiting staff.
With Dayton’s exit, Nebraska now has no quarterback committed for the 2026 class and holds one of the smallest recruiting groups in the FBS with only nine total pledges. Dayton becomes the fourth decommitment in the cycle, raising concerns for a program already navigating heavy transition.
Family Ties and Uncertain Future
The Raiola family has deep Nebraska roots. Their father, Dominic Raiola, is a former Cornhusker standout and longtime Detroit Lions center. The possibility of both sons leading the program was seen as a major win for Nebraska’s future. That vision is now at risk.
Meanwhile, Dylan’s injury and Dayton’s departure fuel questions about the program’s stability and momentum under head coach Matt Rhule, who is in his third year of rebuilding the team.
What Comes Next for Nebraska
Nebraska must quickly pivot ahead of the early signing period. The team still holds commitments from two SC NEXT 300 prospects — offensive tackle Claude Mpouma and cornerback Danny Odem — but the absence of a quarterback recruit in 2026 leaves a major gap.
The Huskers do have a commitment from 2027 quarterback Trae Taylor, ranked No. 4 pocket passer and No. 94 overall in the ESPN Junior 300. But for the immediate future, all eyes are now on TJ Lateef as he leads the offense through the rest of the season.
The combination of Dylan Raiola’s injury and Dayton Raiola’s decommitment places Nebraska at a crucial crossroads with both on-field performance and long-term recruiting strategy.