Dylan Raiola should start on Day 1 at Georgia, while Malachi Nelson takes over at USC

#USC fans need the sophomore version of Malachi Nelson to meet the hype in 2024, when Dylan Raiola likely plays as a UGA freshman.

Phoenix Pinnacle High School quarterback Dylan Raiola has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs. A year after committing to Ohio State, the No. 1 quarterback from the 2024 class, a five-star prospect, announced on social media Monday morning that he has committed to Kirby Smart’s program.

As soon as Raiola de-committed from Ohio State at the end of his junior football season at Chandler High School, Nebraska, USC and Georgia were hot after Raiola, who is rated the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation by most recruiting services.

Raiola put out on social media Monday: “Athens, GA is Home!!! I’m a Dawg!! Go Dawgs.”

Georgia won the past two national college football championships.

In the past two seasons at Pinnacle, Raiola has thrown for 5,776 combined yards with 54 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Georgia did not add a quarterback in the 2023 signing class, which coincided with the Bulldogs winning a second consecutive national championship with the depth chart of Stetson Bennett, Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton.

Expect Stockon, Vandagriff or both to transfer next season and find new homes, becuause Raiola should be ready to start in 2024.

USC may have lost out on this top prospect, but having Malachi Nelson as a projected starter for at least two years in 2024 and 2025 is very promising.

Raiola is a better prospect to me than Nelson, but Nelson is no slouch; he was a top-three quarterback in the 2023 class this past season.

I expect Raiola to be the best and most talented quarterback since Matthew Stafford and an eventual Heisman Trophy candidate and possible winner. Most importanly, Raiola will help the Dawgs stay in national title contention.