LOOK: Dylan Raiola gets some sweet kicks after commitment to Georgia
Georgia quarterback commit Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2024 according to the On3 Industry Ranking, showed off some shoes he got after announcing his commitment to Kirby Smart and company. Not only do they show off the nice red and black, but they serve to honor Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy who lost their lives in a tragic car accident earlier this year.
Willock, a sophomore offensive lineman, played in all 15 games last season for Georgia, starting two including the Bulldogs’ big win over then-No. 1 ranked Tennessee. Meanwhile, LeCroy was also a member of the football program, serving as an important recruiting staffer for Georgia’s most recent classes that ranked at or near the top of the country.
This isn’t the first time Raiola has done something to honor LeCroy, who he grew to know through the recruiting process. After her death in January, Raiola changed his Twitter profile picture to one of him and her on a visit to Athens. In March before his visit to Georgia, he told On3’s Chad Simmons that he was looking forward to getting back to the area where she left her legacy.
“Someone near and dear to my heart Chandler LeCroy, she won’t be there but she’ll be there in spirit,” Raiola said. “Definitely going to miss her, but that’s where she left her legacy. I look forward to getting back.”
Raiola recently announced his commitment to Georgia earlier this month and took an official visit to Athens for the annual scavenger hunt recruiting event shortly after.
“It’s been awesome being able to recruit for a guy like Coach Smart and the rest of their staff. The staff is incredible. For me to be able to get out here and throw with these guys, to see what it’s like to be out here at Georgia and around some committed guys, I have some key pieces that we want to add so making that a priority, we wanted to do this,” Raiola said, speaking with reporters in attendance after a throwing session he organized over the weekend of his visit. “Having them out here it means a lot to me, and getting the work in, it was tremendous.”
Georgia’s Class of 2024 currently ranks No. 1 in the country with 16 commits on board already. Raiola and fellow quarterback commit obviously headline things, but five-star cornerback Ellis Robinson IV isn’t a bad one to have committed either. He ranks No. 7 in the country overall and as the top player for his position according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
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Other commits for Georgia in the Class of 2024 include: four-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick (No. 38 overall, No. 3 LB), four-star tight end Jaden Reddell (No. 49 overall, No. 2 TE), four-star wide receiver Ny Carr (No. 60 overall, No. 11 WR), four-star safety Jaylen Heyward (No. 68 overall, No. 3 S), four-star safety Peyton Woodyard (No. 70 overall, No. 4 S), four-star cornerback Demello Jones (No. 80 overall, No. 12 CB) and four-star running back Dwight Phillips (No. 97 overall, No. 7 RB). Wide receiver NiTareon Tuggle, offensive tackle Marcus Harrison, wide receiver Sacovie White, tight end Colton Heinrich, offensive tackle Malachi Toliver and punter Drew Miller rank outside of the top 100 according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Raiola Scouting Report
Advanced arm talent with the ability to make a wide variety of high-level throws as a high school signal-caller. Was identified as a top arm talent and quarterback in the 2024 cycle early on in his high school career. Physically developed at around 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. Has continued to add mass later on in his high school career. Owns a natural, loose throwing motion with arm dexterity to deliver off-platform and from multiple arm slots. Showed a deep catalog of throws as a sophomore. Easily drives the ball to all levels of the field. Played both under center and in the shotgun as a junior. Ahead of the curve as a ball-handler and in the quick passing game. Shows good footwork and awareness in the pocket. Capable of creative plays in the face of pressure. Primarily a pass-first quarterback as a junior, not running for many yards and finishing with -82 yards rushing – an anomaly for a top quarterback prospect. Will need to show more mobility and playmaking ability. Transferred to his third high school prior to his senior season. The son of 14-year NFL center Dominic Raiola. Also a standout baseball player as a pitcher and catcher. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting
