Greg McElroy explains what Dylan Raiola's commitment to Georgia means for Nebraska

The rich got richer on Monday, with Georgia landing Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Dylan Raiola. A huge commitment for head coach Kirby Smart, the 2024 class’ No. 1 overall player chose the Bulldogs over Nebraska and USC. Losing out on any top recruit hurts but those in Lincoln felt like they had a chance of landing a program changing prospect.

“Huge hit for the Nebraska Cornhusker,” ESPN’s Greg McElroy said. “You have an inside track on a kid with that kind of potential and you miss him. Has to be very disappointing.”

Nebraska does have a family member of Raiola on their coaching staff, with offensive line coach Donovan Raiola being Dylan’s uncle. He had been on staff before Matt Rhule had arrived, keeping him on from the previous regime.

The family connection put the Cornhuskers in position to be a real threat in the recruitment. Raiola had been on campus a total of six times, two of which have occurred with Rhule in charge of the program. Even so, Georgia and their recent success was too much to overcome.

“Man, you have a guy on the hook,” McElroy said. “Went to Lincoln multiple times. Went in February, went in March. Canceled a trip to the spring game so we’re talking about a guy that was on the cusp of having gone to Lincoln three different times and then just let him get away a little bit.

“They had him there, man. This one has to hurt. Especially for Nebraska fans, even considering the fact that he would likely be a Day One starter in the event which Jeff Sims goes after this upcoming season to the NFL.”

If there is a silver lining for Nebraska, it’s that there is a ton of time before National Signing Day. Raiola has backed off a commitment before, previously pledging to Ohio State.

Rhule likely has an incredibly uphill battle but McElroy is claiming to never say never.

“But hey, this is May,” McElroy said. “There’s seven months before he has to sign his name on the dotted line. So, hang in there Nebraska fans. Maybe they will keep at it and ultimately, he’ll have a change of heart at some point in the near future.”

Raiola played high school football at Phoenix (AZ) Pinnacle, where he is a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He is the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.