Georgia football: Matthew Stafford connection helped drive Dylan Raiola to Athens
Georgia football landed the commitment of Dylan Raiola with an underlying family connection to Matthew Stafford playing a role.
Georgia has their next quarterback of the future with five-star 2023 recruit Dylan Raiola announcing his commitment to the Bulldogs on Monday.
And Matthew Stafford may have something to do with it.
It’s often mentioned that Raiola is the son of Dominic Raiola, a Rimington Trophy winner for Nebraska. But the elder Raiola also played the entirety of his 14-year NFL career in Detroit, snapping the ball to Georgia alum Matthew Stafford from 2009 to his Raiola’s retirement following the 2014 season. Dylan apparently calls Stafford “Uncle Matthew.”
And Stafford was tutored by newly-returned Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo when he was in college. Bobo was the quarterbacks coach for the Bulldogs from 2001 to 2006 and OC from 2007 to 2014. Stafford played at Georgia from 2006 to 2008.
Dylan Raiola’s commitment to Georgia has Matthew Stafford-Mike Bobo connection
The relationship between the Raiola family and Stafford along with the relationship between Stafford and Bobo clearly didn’t harm the recruitment of Raiola to Georgia. While he originally committed to Ohio State, he ultimately chose the Dawgs over Nebraska and USC this time around.
“Georgia’s program isn’t based off of one person or one position group,” Raiola told ESPN. “I’m committed to growing and developing as a person and a student-athlete. I’m excited to work with Coach [Mike] Bobo and Coach [Montgomery] VanGorder.
“It’s pretty unique how this will come full circle as Coach Bobo developed Uncle Matthew [Stafford] during his time at Georgia.”
Like Raiola now, Stafford was an outstanding high school prospect and came to Georgia as the No. 1 quarterback prospect in his class. He went on to set records in Athens.
The Bulldogs are obviously hoping Raiola and Bobo can combine to reach some of the same offensive heights as Stafford and Bobo managed more than a decade ago.
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