Coaches Corner: How Kirby Smart's past experiences could impact Dylan Raiola at Georgia

Before Stetson Bennett went from walk-on to two-time national champion, Georgia went on a run of four and five-star quarterbacks. Jake Fromm, Justin Fields, JT Daniels, Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff have all worn the Bulldogs uniform in the last six years — and Kirby Smart landed his biggest recruit yet in Dylan Raiola last week.

However, Raiola’s commitment could make for a significant decision from Smart and the staff. It has similarities to the decision Smart had to make with Fromm and Fields, opting to go with Fromm as the starter in 2018 — which helped lead Fields to transfer to Ohio State. He could be in that spot once again in 2024. Beck and Vandagriff both have eligibility left after 2023, assuming neither tests the NFL Draft waters, and there could be flashbacks to that 2018 decision.

In light of Raiola’s commitment, though, On3’s Jesse Simonton said Smart learned something from the Fromm-Fields situation. He knows it’s all about getting the most talented players in the system. From there, it’s all about seeing how things play out.

“I think the biggest thing Kirby Smart learned is that you just keep stacking five-star quarterbacks and eventually you’re probably going to hit on them,” Simonton said on Coaches Corner. “I think there’s some revisionist history in terms of how the Justin Fields-Jake Fromm situation played out. Jake Fromm took Georgia to a national championship game as a freshman. You just weren’t going to bench that guy. Should they have handled Fields a little bit differently in terms of when he played as a freshman? His usage, I think, [former Georgia offensive coordinator] Jim Chaney did him no favors there and that’s why Fields ultimately decided to transfer.

“But Kirby just knows this is a talent acquisition business. The more swings you have, eventually, you’re going to hit. And I think Dylan Raiola is the highest-rated guy of this crop. He’s considered a transcended generational talent. We’ll see what happens.”

Raiola’s resume speaks for itself. A Five Star Plus+ recruit, he’s also the No. 1 player in the nation from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. That makes him the most talented quarterback recruit Smart and Georgia have had at the position since Fields.

Of course, Fields also brought in plenty of hype. He was also a Five Star Plus+ prospect and the No. 2 player from the 2018 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking. That pedigree made for a tough decision from Smart when Fields arrived on campus. He could bench Fromm, fresh off a national championship appearance, or he could keep Fields on the bench.

He chose the former, which led Fields to leave the program and make a name for himself at Ohio State.

Georgia still has its current quarterback competition to solve, though. Beck impressed during spring practice, and Vandagriff opted to stay in Athens rather than enter the transfer portal. Depending on what happens this year, it could make 2024 even more interesting for the Bulldogs at the quarterback position.