Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 college football recruiting rankings, is turning heads, as he prepares for visits to five elite programs this month. Raiola has established himself as a five-star signal caller in the upcoming recruiting class, and his scheduled trips are helping him learn more about the programs that are vying for his attention.
Georgia Tech, Georgia, Nebraska, Oregon, and USC. These are the teams that Raiola will be visiting over the next few weeks, according to recruiting insider Chad Simmons. Each team has its own unique selling points, and Raiola will be looking to assess which program will give him the best opportunity to grow and develop as a player.
Among the teams Raiola is visiting, Georgia is thought to be a strong contender for his commitment. The school recently won its second-straight College Football Playoff national championship, and the quarterback has spoken highly of the program. However, Georgia’s quarterback room is already crowded, with Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff, and Gunner Stockton all in the running to replace Stetson Bennett.
Georgia Tech is also in the running for Raiola’s commitment, following a top-to-bottom change in the program. With Brent Key as head coach and Buster Faulkner as offensive coordinator, the Yellow Jackets are hoping they can establish a relationship with Raiola that leads to his commitment.
Nebraska is another team that is trending with Raiola. The Cornhuskers were a high-profile stop for the quarterback earlier this year, and he was greeted there by his uncle Donovan, who is currently the team’s offensive line coach. Raiola’s father Dominic also has a history with Nebraska, having been an All-American and Rimington Trophy winner at the school.
Oregon is also in the mix, having signed Austin Novosad as part of its 2023 recruiting class. The team is looking for a replacement for Bo Nix, who is returning to the quarterback role this season. Redshirt sophomore Ty Thompson, the highest-rated quarterback recruit to ever sign with Oregon, is staying with the program and hoping to take the reins.
Finally, Raiola recently visited USC, where he met with football coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Caleb Williams. The Trojans are hoping to attract Raiola to their program, with Malachi Nelson as the presumptive heir to Williams.
Initially, Raiola had committed to Ohio State, but he changed his mind and revealed that he had de-committed from the program. This move opened the door for other teams to make their pitch to the quarterback, and Raiola has remained open to considering all options.
At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Raiola has established himself as a superstar in the 2024 college football recruiting class. He passed for 3,241 yards with 32 touchdown passes and rushed for nine additional scores in 12 games as a sophomore. Raiola hit over 64 percent of his throws for 2,435 yards with 22 touchdowns with five interceptions in his junior campaign.
Three main contenders have emerged for Raiola’s commitment, with USC, Nebraska, and Georgia currently in the lead. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine is giving USC a 46.7 percent likelihood of landing Raiola, with Nebraska (27.6 percent) and Georgia (18.5 percent) close behind. Rivals is predicting that Raiola will choose Georgia with a 56 percent likelihood, while giving Nebraska a 45 percent chance at the quarterback.
Regardless of where Raiola ultimately decides to commit, it is clear that his talent and potential have caught the attention of some of the top programs in college football. The coming weeks will reveal which team will be able to woo the five-star signal caller to their program.
