Georgia football fans have seen this movie before - a five-star quarterback flips his commitment at the eleventh hour, and the Dawgs are left to pivot. Most recently, it was Jared Curtis, who stunned the recruiting world by choosing Vanderbilt just weeks before signing day.
If that scenario sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Two years ago, Dylan Raiola made a similar move, backing out of his Georgia commitment and heading to Nebraska instead.
Understandably, these kinds of late changes sting. When a program like Georgia, with national championship aspirations every year, secures a top-tier quarterback, that commitment feels like a cornerstone. So when it crumbles, there’s bound to be frustration - from the coaching staff to the fanbase.
But here’s the thing: Georgia didn’t just survive Raiola’s departure. They thrived without him.
Since Raiola flipped to Nebraska, Georgia has continued to operate like a well-oiled machine. The Bulldogs have captured back-to-back SEC Championships and punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff in both seasons.
And now, they’re knocking on the door of another national title. That kind of sustained excellence doesn’t happen by accident - it’s the result of a program that recruits, develops, and reloads better than almost anyone in the country.
Meanwhile, Raiola’s college career hasn’t quite lived up to the hype - at least not yet. Over two seasons in Lincoln, he put up 4,819 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, but also threw 17 interceptions.
Those are solid numbers, but not quite what you'd expect from a player once considered the crown jewel of a recruiting class. Now, with Raiola reportedly entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, his future is once again up in the air - a reminder of how unpredictable the quarterback position can be, even for the most touted prospects.
Compare that to Georgia’s quarterback situation over the same stretch. Carson Beck took the reins last season and delivered in a big way.
This year, it’s been Gunner Stockton’s turn, and he’s kept the offense humming. Neither was a five-star flip story, but both have been more than capable of leading one of the nation’s most dominant teams.
That’s the Georgia difference - they don’t just chase stars, they build quarterbacks who fit their system and rise to the moment.
So while Curtis choosing Vanderbilt is a tough pill to swallow - especially so close to signing day - Georgia’s recent track record suggests they’ll be just fine. If anything, Raiola’s journey serves as a case study in perspective.
Losing a big-name QB recruit doesn’t have to derail a program. In Georgia’s case, it hasn’t even slowed them down.
And next season, the Bulldogs won’t have to wait long for a shot at a little poetic justice. Curtis and Vanderbilt are scheduled to visit Athens in Week 5. That matchup will be circled on plenty of calendars - not because it’s a marquee SEC showdown, but because it’s a chance for Georgia to show, once again, that the program is bigger than any one player.
At the end of the day, recruiting wins headlines. Development wins championships.
And Georgia? They’re doing just fine in the category that matters most.