Oregon Ducks' newest transfer portal addition in quarterback Dylan Raiola received the blessing to wear the program's legendary No. 8.
As the Oregon Ducks continue to work through their Spring season, many fans are excited to see some of the new faces on the roster for the upcoming season.
One of the most notable transfer portal additions for head coach Dan Lanning this offseason was former Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola, who was once one of the highest-rated quarterbacks coming out of high school in recent memory.
Raiola is set to sit behind the team’s starting quarterback from last season, Dante Moore, but will be a perfect successor to the star playmaker once he inevitably declares for the NFL Draft.
However, the Ducks' fan base was shocked to see that Raiola was wearing No. 8 during Spring practices, instead of the No. 15 he wore with the Cornhuskers. The No. 8 has been a legendary number for the program, with former Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Dillon Gabriel wearing the number during their careers with the Ducks.
On a recent episode of “Meet the Flock,” Raiola explained the process of how he was able to receive the blessing to wear the No. 8.
"The last two people to wear it, if you look at Dillon Gabriel and Marcus Mariota," Raiola stated. "So before I even thought about wearing it, I called Dillon, and I asked him. And then I actually asked him if I could have Marcus' number, and I called Marcus. I was blessed with the opportunity to wear it."
Raiola’s journey throughout his college career saw him live in multiple states throughout the country, including Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. But his number change has a deeper meaning, as he was born in the state of Hawaii, similar to Mariota and Gabriel.
"I'm from Hawaii,” Raiola noted. “I lived there for about nine or 10 years, so I call that home, and I always go back there and visit."
The No. 8 holds significant value to the prestigious program, as Mariota is widely viewed as one of the best quarterbacks to step on campus. In his three seasons with the Ducks, the star quarterback threw for over 10,000 yards and 105 touchdowns, while also rushing for nearly 2,300 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground.
Now, Raiola will have massive shoes to fill once he becomes the starting quarterback in 2027.
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