Nebraska loses commitment from 2026 QB Dayton Raiola

After being committed to Nebraska for more than a year, three-star Buford (Ga.) quarterback Dayton Raiola has backed off his pledge to the Cornhuskers, Rivals’ Chad Simmons reported on Wednesday.

Raiola, the younger brother of starting QB Dylan Raiola, committed all the way back in September 2024, choosing NU over Charlotte and Appalachian State. He has now decided to reopen his recruitment just a few weeks before National Signing Day, though.

“My recruitment is 100% open,” he told Simmons.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder now becomes one of the top uncommitted passers in the country. He ranks as the nation’s No. 1602 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

Raiola also checks in as the nation’s No. 99 quarterback and No. 158 player in Georgia this cycle.

A two-year starter for state powerhouse Buford, he has thrown for more than 3,600 yards and 43 touchdowns across the past two seasons while completing 58% of his attempts. As a junior, he led the Wolves to a Class 6A semifinal berth and has them poised for another deep postseason run this year.

Huskers’ struggles on the recruiting trail continue

His decommitment is another blow to a Nebraska recruiting class that has struggled to gain much momentum during the 2026 cycle. Matt Rhule and Co. only have nine commitments in total — the lowest mark of any program in the FBS.

Their class ranks No. 77 nationally and No. 18 in the Big Ten, according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Maybe the most surprising is that this comes on the heels of last year’s crop, which finished in the top-25 of the final team rankings.

Raiola also marks the fourth decommitment from NU’s class, joining four-star defensive back CJ Bronaugh, three-star wide receiver Dveyoun Bonwell-Witte, and three-star offensive lineman Leon Noil.

The Huskers could, however, be planning to load up on their high school recruiting in 2027 instead. They already have five commitments in that cycle, headlined by five-star caliber safety Tory Pittman and Trae Taylor, the nation’s No. 4 quarterback.