Oregon just slammed the door on Miami’s transfer QB lifeline

Sam Leavitt chose LSU, then on Wednesday, Husan Longstreet did the same, and suddenly, Miami looked to be out of options at quarterback. Then, there was a momentary glimpse of hope that Mario Cristobal could find Carson Beck’s replacement, but Oregon just as quickly slammed the door shut. 

The hope was tied to Dante Moore, Oregon’s star quarterback, making his announcement that he was returning to Eugene for the 2026 season. Moore was widely viewed as QB2 in the 2026 NFL Draft, behind Fernando Mendoza, but at just 20 years old, with only 20 starts under his belt, Moore decided to come back for another year. 

Moore’s announcement came on Wednesday afternoon, a few days after Nebraska transfer and former five-star Dylan Raiola announced that he was joining the Ducks. ESPN’s Pete Thamel had previously alluded to the possibility that Raiola would redshirt and sit behind Moore for a season, as Moore did behind Dillon Gabriel in 2024. Still, when announced that he was returning, it seemed possible that a QB-needy program with deep pockets like Miami could change his mind. 

Well, moments after Moore’s announcement, On3’s Hayes Fawcett poured cold water all over that idea, drenching Hurricanes fans in the process. Fawcett reported that Raiola will sit behind Moore in 2026, essentially taking a year off after becoming the Day 1 starter at Nebraska in his true freshman season. 

Dylan Raiola isn’t coming to Miami, will sit behind Dante Moore in 2026

Miami has struck out in its pursuit of another veteran transfer portal quarterback under Mario Cristobal after an impressive run from Cam Ward in 2024 to Carson Beck in 2025. Cristobal and the Canes reportedly threw a $6.5 million offer at former Alabama QB Ty Simpson to attempt to get him out of the 2026 draft, but were unsuccessful. Then, they lost out on Leavitt and Longstreet to LSU, and now Miami is going to have to get creative to find its next starting QB. 

There are two options potentially still lingering out there, though neither is technically available: DJ Lagway and CJ Bailey. Lagway has committed to Baylor, but has yet to officially sign with the Bears. If Miami could change his mind, he wouldn’t be the first transfer QB to flip commits in this year’s portal window. Bailey hasn’t entered the portal at all and has announced that he’s returning to NC State. However, the Miami native still has two days to enter the portal before it closes on Friday. 

If neither of those options is a possibility, then it looks increasingly like Miami will be left without a chair when the music stops.