How Dylan Raiola Could Help Georgia Become Even More Dominant in the Long Run
The past week has been nothing short of excellent for the Georgia Bulldogs on the recruiting trail. Not only did the Bulldogs pick up a top-ranked punter in the 2024 class and a 6'8, 330-pounder out of New York, but they also nabbed the highest-ranked QB and No. 1 overall player in the 2024 class, Dylan Raiola. But Raiola's commitment could be just the beginning of the next era of Georgia Football.
During Kirby Smart's tenure at the University of Georgia, the common perception about his program is that it simply does not recruit or develop elite talent at the quarterback position. After all, the last 5-star prospect to start for the Bulldogs was Jacob Eason all the way back in 2016.
This has led many to theorize that the lack of elite quarterback recruits has deterred elite wide receivers from committing to play for the Bulldogs. Which to be fair, may somewhat be true. The past two of the Bulldogs leading receivers have transferred out of the program ahead of their junior seasons, and the Bulldogs have never had a 5-star recruit at the receiver position under Kirby Smart.
George Pickens is the highest-ranked receiver to have played for the Bulldogs under Kirby Smart. He was a 4-star recruit from the class of 2019.
Despite this, Georgia has still accomplished numerous achievements. The Bulldogs have won 33 of their previous 34 matchups and are back-to-back reigning national champions (the only team to do so in the College Football Playoff era) all while pumping mass amounts of players into the NFL Draft each year. The team has greatly succeeded in spite of its seemingly “non-elite” talent at the wide receiver and quarterback position.
But regardless as to whether or not the talent in Georgia’s quarterback room has negatively affected their ability to recruit high-level receivers, Raiola’s commitment has undeniably turned some heads in the 2024 class.
Jeremiah Smith, the number one ranked receiver in the 2024 class alluded to the fact that Raiola committing to the University of Georgia would certainly force him to reassess his options.
“Georgia getting Dylan means a lot to me and my interest in them… I have to really give Georgia a look now that they have Dylan.”
-Jeremiah Smith on Dylan Raiola’s commitment
Smith and Raiola were once both committed in the same class to play football at Ohio State. However, Raiola de-committed from the Buckeyes in December of 2022.
Dylan Raiola during his official visit to the University of Georgia
But Smith is not the only receiver who has noticed the Bulldog’s acquisition of the nation’s top quarterback recruits. 5-Star receiver Mike Matthew’s, another top-20 ranked receiver from the 2024 class has also chimed in about how Georgia’s addition of Raiola has changed his view on the team.
“It does play a big part in how I see Georgia. Having someone on that level being able to throw me the ball would be nice.”
-Mike Matthew’s on Dylan Raiola’s commitment to On3.com
But even though Smith and Matthews have yet to join Georgia’s 2024 class (and there is a chance that they don’t), Raiola’s commitment could set Georgia up for even more long-term dominance in that more elite recruits on the offensive side of the will begin to play for Georgia. Once that occurs, the Bulldogs' offense will likely become an even bigger juggernaut than it already is.
What makes this such a problem for the rest of the College Football world, is that Georgia already has one of if not, the best defenses in the nation. The past two seasons, the Dawgs have held opponents to a combined 12.2 points per game and will likely be just as solid in the upcoming 2023 season.
During the 2021 season, the Bulldogs held opponents to a league-best 10.2 points per game.
While it is uncertain as to which players will be eventually joining Raiola in the Bulldogs 2024 class. The incoming influx of offensive talent, combined with Georgia’s consistent dominance on the defensive side of the ball could make the Bulldogs an even greater force to be reckoned with in the coming future.
Georgia's 2024 Commits:
- Dylan Raiola, QB
- Ellis Robinson IV, DB
- Demarcus Riddick, LB
- Jaylen Heyward, S
- Ny Carr, WR
- Peyton Woodyard, S
- Dwight Phillips Jr., RB
- NiTareon Tuggle, WR
- Malachi Toliver, OT
- Demello Jones, S
- Sacovie White, ATH
- Ryan Puglisi, QB
Other Georgia News:
- How Dylan Raiola’s Commitment Affects No. 1 Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith
- Georgia Commit Ryan Puglisi Responds to Dylan Raiola Commitment
- What Dylan Raiola's Commitment Means for Georgia
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