The nation's top-ranked player in the 2024 cycle strengthens Georgia's elite class.
Brad Crawford
Dylan Raiola, the top-ranked player in 2024, committed Monday to Georgia, securing the Bulldogs' future plans at quarterback. Raiola previously committed to Ohio State before backinghe ultimately chose Georgia over Nebraska, USC and Oregon. His announcement resulted in a shockwave of reaction across social media surrounding the two-time defending national champions reloading their arsenal.
Raiola’sdecisionpushes this2024 Georgia class back atop the 247Sports Composite Recruit Rankings.Georgia already has a slew of top-end talent committed for next year's cycle, but Raiola becomes the unquestioned crown jewel. His commitment will undoubtedly have an effect on the rest of the cycle and who goes where at the position.
“Georgia is the cream of the crop,” Raiola said in a previous interview with 247Sports. “They do everything with such class and they do everything the right way.”
More on Raiola's commitment to Georgia, what it means for the rest of the 2024 recruiting cycle
Here is some of the national reaction following Raiola's decision and what it means for the Bulldogs moving forward.
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 15, 2023BREAKING: Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, has committed to Georgia.
See AlsoFrom The Finish Line: More On The Alexander/Asics InviteGeorgia Ranking Committee | ArticlesMileSplit GA - Top HS Running Source - Coupontoaster BlogMore from @SWiltfong247https://t.co/k2IRzeWxrc pic.twitter.com/WJdXLAQHKQ
Georgia put the full-court press on Raiola and has impressed thePhoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle star since the Bulldogs began their involvement with him. The Bulldogs signed five-stars before at the quarterback position, most recently landingJustin Fields prior to his transfer to Ohio State.
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 15, 20235-star QB Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, announces his commitment to Georgia. @SWiltfong247 shares how Georgia landed the top prospect
Here are Wiltfong's initial thoughts on Raiola's decision and how this impact the 2024 recruiting cycle for the Bulldogs and others moving forward. The first major domino is off the board and he goes to the nation's top program.
Athens,GA is Home!!! I’m a Dawg!! Go Dawgs???? pic.twitter.com/VWN9Vf55sy
— Dylan Raiola (@RaiolaDylan) May 15, 2023
The belief is that Raiola's verbal is strong and the Bulldogs can begin building their future offense around his pledge.
— Overtime (@overtime) May 15, 2023FIVE STAR QB Dylan Raiola just committed to GEORGIA ??
No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class ?? pic.twitter.com/2sBeGxlDbI
On film, Raiola's arm strength and escapability in the pocket looks a lot like reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams at USC. The junior signal caller is projected to be the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and is a former highly-regarded five-star recruit, like Raiola.
Recruiting analyst Chris Singletary evaluated Raiola in March and labeled him as a future first-round selection.
"Raiola checks the box with verified numbers of 6-foot-3, 228 pounds," Singletary writes in his 247Sports' assessment. "With 9.5-inch hands he surely should not have any issues with ball security and control. The ability to drive the ball with velocity regardless of the weather conditions are things that impress because of his mechanics and ability to transfer his weight in the lower body and not just rely on his arm to make throws. He has a fluid throwing motion that does not possess any flaws or hitches.
"Flashed the ability to utilize touch on the ball and not just throw his fastball. The ability to change ball speeds led him to make throws into different windows with trajectory to get to the receiver at a high level. Does a nice job with ball placement throwing receivers open and away from defenses in particular when making plays in the middle of the field where you find high traffic areas against defenses. Shows that he is comfortable playing either in the shotgun or underneath center. Raiola can make all the throws within the route-tree to make plays when he is in the pocket or on the move. The growth he will continue to show will be in facing different defenses with regards to coverages that he will have to decipher as he evolves as a playmaker at the position."
From Fields to Matthew Stafford to Jake Fromm to Carson Beck, the Bulldogs have had no problem finding quarterback talent. This is the first time since Jacob Eason however that Georgia has reached out West for a signal caller. Eason, like Fields, was a former five-star signee in Athens, but his career never materialized into what many assumed it would.
BREAKING: QB Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class, has committed to Georgia https://t.co/5ir2RBbDai pic.twitter.com/KKCzxnziY7
— Dawgs247 (@Dawgs247) May 15, 2023
This is the landmark commitment for Georgia that could push this program further ahead in recruiting as Smart prepares to land yet another top-ranked class on the trail.
