Dan Lanning isn’t just planning for next season; his blueprint for Dylan Raiola’s success is already being laid for 2027. Everyone saw Raiola absorb hit after hit at Nebraska. In his two seasons under Matt Rhule, protection never quite caught up. The QB suffered 27 sacks each year and 54 in total. That’s why the Ducks are poised to change the fate of the former 5-star recruit out of Buford High School.
He was sacked a staggering 54 times over two seasons, a consistent 27 per year, highlighting a persistent issue with protection.
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Anaheim (Calif.) Servite OT Drew Fielder announced his commitment to Oregon on Sunday, choosing the Ducks over Washington and UCLA. He had just wrapped up a visit to Eugene and didn’t bother stretching the process. The culture and resources in Lanning’s program were exactly what he was looking for.
Now, Drew Fielder is a big win. Rivals lists him as a 4-star and one of the better O-line prospects nationally, even if the industry rankings vary. Oregon prioritized the 6’6, 280-pound player, who ultimately made a decision he hadn’t originally planned on.
“Going into the visit, I really wasn’t planning to commit,” he said. “I didn’t have a timeframe, but after seeing and hearing everything about Oregon, I know it’s where I wanted to be… Oregon is everything I ever looked for in a program. Between the coaching staff, the player development, and the team culture, they are really second to none.”
Drew Fielder became the fourth commit in Oregon’s 2027 class, joining OT Avery Michael, edge rusher Cameron Pritchett, and LB Sam Ngata. Two of those four are O-linemen. Michael, a 3-star tackle out of Turlock, California, committed earlier the same day. He’s a 6’5, 250-pound No. 47 OT in the 2027 class by the 247Sports Composite.
Dan Lanning already feels good about where the O-line is headed in the near term. Fox Crader and Gernorris Wilson are projected starters in 2026. Center Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu will still be around. 5-star Immanuel Iheanacho arrives in the 2026 class. But this is about what comes after 2026.
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Oregon fans are understandably focused on QB Dante Moore’s return next season and what that offense could look like. Dylan Raiola’s arrival from Nebraska adds another layer to the long-term picture, even if he’s expected to spend time developing behind Moore. Dan Lanning and O-line coach A’lique Terry have quietly stacked recruiting wins up front over the past two cycles: Iheanacho, Tommy Tofi, Koloi Keli, and now, Fielder and Michael. This recruiting focus is Lanning’s way of rewriting the narrative surrounding Raiola and sacks.
Why Dylan Raiola didn’t thrive at Nebraska
Dylan Raiola’s Nebraska second season took a hard turn against USC in November. Midway through the third quarter, with the Cornhuskers leading 14-6, the QB was sacked, fumbled, and had his leg rolled up in the process. It was game over for him as he suffered a broken fibula. At the time of the injury, he was 10-for-15 for 91 yards and a TD.
The play was a disaster from the start, as Eric Gentry got a hand on him before Anthony Lucas delivered the main hit. It bent him backwards as Kameron Crawford recovered the fumble.
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Dylan Raiola finished his two Nebraska seasons with 4,819 passing yards, 31 TDs, and the aforementioned 54 sacks. Even with clear improvement in 2025 with a 72.4 percent completion rate, 18 TDs, and six picks, the protection problem never went away. TJ Lateef stepped in afterward, and Nebraska went 1-3.
Oregon is trying to make sure Dylan Raiola never has to live in that space again. Recruiting offensive tackles early isn’t the most interesting. But if you’re wondering what Dan Lanning is giving the QB that Matt Rhule couldn’t in two years, start there.
