In a recruitment saga that gripped the college football world for months, five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola has officially committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes, stunning programs like Tennessee, BYU, Georgia, and USC, all of which had poured considerable effort into courting the blue-chip signal-caller. The announcement instantly reverberated across the national college football landscape, elevating Ohio State’s 2025 class to near-legendary status and reasserting the Buckeyes’ dominance in quarterback development.
Raiola’s decision marks one of the most significant recruiting victories in recent memory—a triumph not only because of the elite talent Ohio State is acquiring but also because of the intense competition they outlasted. In an era where NIL deals, transfer portal shifts, and high-profile decommitments rule the headlines, the Buckeyes proved that tradition, coaching pedigree, and vision still matter.
The Prodigy: Who is Dylan Raiola?
Dylan Raiola is not just another elite quarterback prospect—he’s the quarterback prospect. Hailing from Buford High School in Georgia after earlier stints in Texas and Arizona, Raiola has long been at the top of every major recruiting board. Ranked No. 1 at his position and top-five nationally by nearly every scouting service, Raiola combines rare physical traits with high-level football IQ and leadership intangibles.
At 6’3”, 220 pounds, Raiola possesses an NFL-ready frame. His arm strength rivals that of professional quarterbacks, and he has a knack for making throws on the run, off-platform, and deep downfield with effortless velocity. But perhaps more importantly, Raiola has shown consistent poise under pressure—whether facing fierce pass rushes or enduring the glare of national attention since his sophomore year.
He is the son of Dominic Raiola, a former All-American center at Nebraska and 14-year NFL veteran with the Detroit Lions. With that pedigree, Dylan was raised around the game and has studied it with an attention to detail far beyond his years.
Recruitment Rollercoaster: From Ohio State to Georgia to Now
Raiola’s recruitment journey has been anything but linear. Initially committing to Ohio State in May 2022, Raiola surprised many by decommitting from the Buckeyes later that year. Georgia, led by Kirby Smart and riding the wave of back-to-back national titles, swooped in and earned a verbal commitment in 2023. That seemed like the end of the road.
But as recruiting momentum shifted and Raiola transferred to Buford High School in Georgia—where he experienced a less-than-ideal senior season due to injuries and offensive scheme mismatches—whispers began to circulate. Despite Georgia’s stability and proximity, Raiola began reevaluating his options.
Programs like USC, led by quarterback guru Lincoln Riley, Tennessee with offensive wizard Josh Heupel, and even BYU, a program deeply tied to his family’s Mormon roots, began pushing hard. Tennessee fans especially saw Raiola as the potential heir to Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava—offering immediate star power and the chance to compete in the SEC.
Yet in a dramatic twist, Ohio State reemerged late in the process, re-establishing relationships and presenting Raiola with a renewed vision of what could be. Coach Ryan Day, quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly (newly arrived from UCLA) delivered the knockout pitch. The pitch? The chance to lead a quarterback legacy that includes Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud, and now Will Howard.
Why Ohio State Won
Three key factors swung the pendulum back toward Columbus: coaching pedigree, offensive fit, and future NFL readiness.
1. Quarterback Development:
Ryan Day has built a reputation as one of the best developers of quarterback talent in the country. C.J. Stroud’s meteoric rise under Day’s guidance speaks volumes. The program has become synonymous with NFL pipeline status, and Raiola, with eyes on the 2028 NFL Draft, clearly recognized that.
2. Chip Kelly’s Arrival:
The addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator added a new wrinkle to the Buckeyes’ pitch. Kelly’s tempo-based schemes and quarterback-friendly systems excited Raiola, who thrives in rhythm, play-action, and spread looks. The thought of combining Day’s pro-style passing tutelage with Kelly’s innovation sealed the deal.
3. Immediate Competition & Support:
With Will Howard likely holding the QB1 spot in 2025 but leaving eligibility after that season, Raiola sees a clear path to the starting job by 2026. Add in a receiving corps that routinely features future first-rounders and a rock-solid offensive line, and Raiola is set up for success.
Ripple Effects Across College Football
Raiola’s commitment is about more than one player. It’s a seismic moment that could impact recruiting cycles, coaching decisions, and depth charts nationwide.
Tennessee:
Vols fans believed they had a shot. With Nico Iamaleava in place, adding Raiola to that quarterback room would have given Heupel flexibility, especially with the impending NFL attention Nico will attract after 2025. Missing out on Raiola puts added pressure on Tennessee to find its QB of the future elsewhere.
BYU:
The Cougars made a heartfelt push. With strong family and faith ties to the program and a desire to return to prominence in the Big 12, BYU viewed Raiola as a potential franchise-changer. Missing out stings, and now their coaching staff may pivot to other top LDS recruits, but there’s no sugarcoating the blow.
Georgia:
Though Georgia had Raiola in the boat, the late shift was unexpected. Now they turn back to other highly-rated signal-callers in the 2025 and 2026 classes, including Julian Lewis. Still, Kirby Smart’s championship culture makes them a consistent contender, regardless of the loss.
USC and Others:
Lincoln Riley and other QB-centric programs missed on Raiola, underscoring the high stakes of modern recruiting. The Trojans now look toward the future, but the pressure is on to land an elite QB in the next cycle.
Buckeyes’ Future: Raiola’s Role in Reloading the Empire
Ohio State hasn’t won a national title since 2014. The Buckeyes have come close—regularly in the College Football Playoff hunt—but haven’t closed the deal. Dylan Raiola could be the quarterback who breaks that drought.
He’s likely to redshirt or play backup in 2025 but is expected to take over in 2026. That timeline aligns perfectly with the maturation of Ohio State’s young wide receiver corps and an offensive line bolstered by top-100 recruits.
Raiola’s arrival also acts as a magnet. Already, highly rated recruits are tweeting their excitement, hinting at a potential wave of offensive and defensive talent following suit. In recruiting, quarterbacks are often the cornerstone around which elite classes form—and Dylan Raiola is as big a cornerstone as there is.
The NIL Factor
While Raiola’s camp has remained quiet on specifics, there’s no doubt that NIL played a role. Sources suggest Ohio State presented a robust NIL package emphasizing long-term branding, connections in Columbus and beyond, and partnerships with companies that align with Raiola’s family values and career goals.
Unlike some programs that push flashy upfront money, Ohio State’s NIL pitch focused on sustained success and preparing Raiola for the next level—both on the field and financially. That maturity in the pitch reportedly impressed Raiola’s family, especially his father, Dominic.
A Decision Rooted in Vision
In a statement following his commitment, Raiola said:
“Ohio State is where I feel I can grow the most—as a quarterback and as a person. The tradition, the coaching, the fans, and the way they develop quarterbacks…it just felt like home. I’m ready to work.”
It’s a decision rooted in vision. Not hype. Not gimmicks. But clarity about what it takes to reach the NFL and win championships along the way.
Dylan Raiola’s commitment to Ohio State is a thunderclap that will echo across the 2025 season and beyond. In an increasingly chaotic recruiting landscape, the Buckeyes emerged victorious by doubling down on what they do best—developing quarterbacks, maintaining consistency, and showcasing a clear path to greatness.
For Ryan Day, it’s a statement win. For the Ohio State faithful, it’s a reason to believe again. And for college football, it’s yet another twist in the drama that makes the sport irresistible.
