5-star QB Dylan Raiola 'locked in' with Ohio State, working to build Buckeyes' 2024 class

Chandler (Ariz.) five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola committed to Ohio State on May 9. Nearly six months following his announcement, Raiola’s pledge with the Buckeyes is very strong.

“Schools are still recruiting me, but I gave Ohio State my word,” Raiola told On3. “I’m firmly locked in with Ohio State.”

At the moment, Raiola is recruiting multiple prospects to join Ryan Day‘s program. They include Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Miami Chaminade-Madonna Prep five-star wide receiver Joshisa Trader, Philadelphia (Penn.) Roman Catholic four-star wide receiver Tyseer Denmark, Gainesville (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star running back Jerrick Gibson and Tampa (Fla.) four-star running back Stacy Gage.

Raiola is also speaking to multiple top-30 defensive prospects such as Buford (Ga.) five-star safety KJ Bolden, Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius four-star defensive lineman Justin Scott and Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco four-star safety Peyton Woodyard. He added that “I’d be here for a little bit” if he named each recruit he is in contact with.

“I always tell them it’s building the relationship first and then we can get to the recruiting later,” said Raiola, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 On3 Consensus and 2024 On300. “I’m just really trying to learn about new people in this football world.”

When Raiola speaks with these recruits, he makes sure to tell them why they should choose Ohio State. Right now, the Buckeyes’ 2024 recruiting class contains two prospects in Raiola and New Palestine (Ind.) four-star interior offensive lineman Ian Moore.

“I just am honest with them and tell them that it’s a special place,” Raiola said. “I can tell you about it, but if you don’t go up there and see it, it’s different when you’re there. For the most part, all the recruits I’ve talked to know that the coaching staff is authentic and I just give the reasons why I committed. The brotherhood, the strength program they have there, the nutrition, the academics, the whole nine yards. It’s the best place to go to.”

Raiola can already picture himself ‘playing in the ‘Shoe’

Raiola, who was last in Columbus for the Buckeyes’ win over Notre Dame on Sept. 3, has been impressed by the scarlet-and-grey’s performance this season. He “tries to learn from them on Saturdays” and follows multiple players, including quarterback C.J. Stroud.

By watching Ohio State’s games live, Raiola is also getting a glimpse of the future.

“I can see myself making those plays playing in the ‘Shoe and just throwing to those kind of receivers in that offense,” Raiola said. “I think I view it a little different, just in a way that I’m gonna be there in the next couple of years. I’m just getting my mind mentally ready for it.”

Even though Raiola and the Buckeyes are on opposite sides of the country, their coaching staff is making an effort to help the five-star quarterback. They gave him drills to improve his pocket presence and are “always open” for feedback if Raiola reaches out to them.

“They’ve gotten stronger,” Raiola said of his relationships with Ohio State coaches. “They’ve gotten better. It changed in a good way, though, meaning they want to help me more with football things and it’s not really recruiting. It’s more like coaching right now, which I like. I’m trying to watch film with them, talk to them about plays and things like that. They’re just trying to help me better my game on Friday night.”

This fall, Raiola wants to help bring a state championship to Chandler, one of the winningest programs in Arizona high school football. The five-star is also looking forward to helping the Buckeyes, both in the present and a few years from now.

“Just seeing what they’re doing Saturdays and just keeping the relationships with the coaches,” Raiola said about why he feels good with Ohio State. “I know that I’m gonna be a big piece in their offense in the next couple years, but also the pieces around me, the receivers, the tight ends. I think just getting recruits is gonna help and just the relationships with coach Day, (quarterbacks) coach (Corey) Dennis and the whole coaching staff.”