QB Raiola, No. 8 recruit, turns UGA for Nebraska

• Pete Thamel, ESPNDec 18, 2023, 05:21 PM ET

Dylan Raiola, ESPN’s top pocket-passing quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, informed ESPN on Monday he’s switching his college commitment to Nebraska from Georgia.The decision

marks a potential seismic shift in fortunes for Nebraska football, as Raiola’s commitment makes him the highest-ranked high school recruit to choose the Cornhuskers given that ESPN began tracking rankings in 2006, per ESPN Statistics & Information.Raiola is ranked No. 8

overall in the 2024 ESPN 300. In a phone interview Monday, Raiola

in-depth how a lifetime of being intertwined with Nebraska football played into his decision. His daddy, Dominic, was an All-American offending lineman there, and his uncle Donovan is the school’s offending line coach. “I firmly believe that Nebraska remains in my

blood,”Raiola informed ESPN.”It’s a terrific opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. Nebraska is an unique place.”Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Nebraska marks the 3rd school Raiola has been connected to in his recruitment. He dedicated to Ohio State early in May 2022, only to decommit and select Georgia in May 2023. The Bulldogs on Monday found out that quarterback Carson Beck, who had a 12-1 record in his first

season as a starter, will return in 2024 for his senior season.Raiola said there’s allure to possibly bring back glory to the Cornhuskers amidst the program’s seven-year bowl drought

spanning three head coaches. Nebraska’s history consists of 5 championship games and 3 Heisman Trophy winners.”I think it’ll suggest a lot to bring it back,”Raiola stated.”Even if of the legacy of so many great players that have actually strolled through that locker space that’s been established there– to keep doing what they developed.”… Just the history of the Nebraska football program. It’s not simply another program.”The flip to Nebraska marks a major touchstone early in the tenure of Matt Rhule,

who completed with a 5-7 mark in his first season. Nebraska had inconsistent quarterback

play this year, with the nation’s No. 126 passing offense and No. 120 scoring offense. The Cornhuskers had top-20 surfaces in scoring defense, rush defense and total defense.Rhule previously discovered success as the coach at Temple and Baylor, and he invested three seasons as an NFL coach before going back to Nebraska. He made a strong impression on Raiola.”I think from my papa being there, I understand the

history of the program,”Raiola stated.” I also comprehend my household legacy there and the fan base and aspirations. I highly believe in the vision and culture that Coach Rhule has actually established with his personnel.”Raiola played high school football in both Texas and Arizona before he moved to Buford(Georgia)High School this past summer season. He threw for 2,666 yards, 34 touchdowns and simply 1 interception in his final season.Raiola strategies to register early at Nebraska and be on school in January. He visited over the weekend, with the outside expectation that he planned to ultimately commit there.”I increased there with an open mind,” Raiola said. “I think it was simply another opportunity to be around the entire training personnel and understand

really Coach Rhule’s vision and culture and what he intends for Nebraska to be. He comprehends that himself. That’s substantial. He can implement that into his coaching design and the way

he engages with his players. “… I noticed the way that his players gravitate to him. He really appreciates the individual and the guy that you are becoming. He uses the football platform to assist establish you as a man. That’s what makes him the most special. He gets the most out of them, because he’s developed strong relationships. “Raiola has actually spent his entire life rooting for the Cornhuskers, as his dad won the Remington Award in 2000 as the top center in college football and made first-team All-America honors. He was likewise a finalist for the Lombardi( top lineman) and Outland Awards(top interior lineman ). When asked who his preferred Cornhusker player growing up was, Dylan Raiola said he”rooted for the whole group.”” That speaks a lot on just how much it suggested for my papa. My dad instilled that tradition in me,”Raiola stated.”What he’s instilled in me and all that he’s taught me growing up is that he discovered a great deal of that from his time at Nebraska.

“While there’s no conclusive starter at quarterback for 2024, Nebraska has prevented taking a high-profile quarterback from the NCAA transfer website. Raiola stated he aspires to compete this spring and knows absolutely nothing will be handed to him. “You need to go in and make your stripes and compete and fall in line with what guys developed last year,”Raiola said.”

You’re still a freshman. You have to listen to everybody ahead of you. That’s the gorgeous aspect of it. “When asked to compose the perfect script of his career at Nebraska, Raiola acknowledged that it won’t be direct however stated he’s anticipating the adventure.”I do not think there’s a twenty-twenty of what it’s going to be,” he said.”There’s going to be ups and downs. … I can’t inform you what it’s going to be, but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”