Dylan Raiola was long heralded as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class, one of the rare premier quarterback talents to emerge in recent years. His commitment to Ohio State in May 2022 created immediate buzz and optimism, not just because of his rare physical gifts but also because of his clear admiration for Ryan Day and the Buckeye culture. Yet, later in December of that same year, he stunned fans by decommitting. Remarkably, through that entire pivot, Raiola never burnished or denigrated the Buckeyes; instead, he has repeatedly affirmed his respect for Day, the program, and the iconic Ohio Stadium. In the years since, he has continued to voice appreciation for what he experienced and learned in Columbus.
When Raiola committed to Ohio State on May 9, 2022—his 17th birthday—he identified not only the strong tradition of the program and its elite quarterback room, but specifically Coach Ryan Day as a major draw. He cited Day’s reputation for quarterback development and how Day’s offense provided a structure that put playmakers in positions to make plays, easing pressure on the quarterback himself. He remarked that Coach Day and quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis were “very young, so very personable,” and praised the sense of brotherhood among players and staff at Ohio State . He talked about how the offense built around the QB, how the receiving corps and surrounding talent made the system strong, and how he wanted to be part of that environment .
Over the ensuing months leading up to his decommitment, Raiola made multiple visits to campus—first in October 2021, then multiple visits in spring 2022, including a camp where he was instructed directly by Day and Dennis at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. At one of those camps, he said he was “speechless” at how much he learned from Day, calling himself a sponge soaking up corrections on ball placement and pocket mechanics. He described a drill Day challenged him to place the football exactly one inch above a target 15 yards away—symbolic of the attention to detail Ohio State demands . His approach to training was to perfect technical aspects in offseason, then bring it all to game day: “Work on it now, then just go play ball,” as he put it . That camp, as well as watching Day coach live with his future wide receivers and look them in the eye as teammates, only reinforced why he had chosen to join the Buckeyes.
But in December 2022, Raiola decommitted. In that announcement, Captain Dominic Raiola—his father—said, “We have a lot of respect for Coach Day and the Ohio State program,” and clarified that nothing was off the table; the process wasn’t closed, it was restarted . Most recruits who flip often try to downplay their previous choice; Raiola did no such thing. He expressly maintained respect for Day and Ohio State throughout that time.
He ultimately landed at Georgia mid‑2023, then transferred to Nebraska late in 2023—where he was a legacy recruit (his father and uncle both had strong ties to Nebraska) and where he was eventually named starter in 2024 . But even after decommitment and a full transfer cycle, the praise for Day and the Buckeyes persisted. Ryan Day, when asked about Raiola as Nebraska’s QB in October 2024, said: “Whether it’s de‑commitments or transferring, it’s part of the world that we live in right now\… He’s got an opportunity to be a great player, I think he’s already playing at a high level.” That statement reflected a continued sense of goodwill—and Day did so without rancor, indicating that the split was amicable .
Among Ohio State fan communities and in press coverage, it’s often noted that Raiola “talks about Ohio State and Ryan Day in a good way despite being a former decommit” . Rather than bitterness or negativity, the discourse around Raiola’s departure centers on his desire for an immediate path to starting and playing time, and his tendency to move to programs where that seemed possible. But importantly, he did not frame it as a rejection of the coaching staff or the Buckeye culture; rather, he portrayed it as a personal choice, affecting his development and future ambition. Fans and observers repeatedly note that Ohio State did not pressure him to decommit; it was his own choice .
Even after moving on, Raiola’s evaluations suggest he internalized much of what Day and Dennis instilled in him. He continued to refine ball placement, precision, and the mechanics emphasized during those early sessions at the Woody Hayes center. His intense attention to detail and drop‑back timing—hallmarks of Ohio State coaching—have been noted during his freshman year at Nebraska, even as critics questioned his fitness levels and consistency on long throws .
It’s also telling that Raiola continues to mimic NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford in his appearances, pregame rituals, haircuts, and mannerisms—a figure who spent his entire career with the Detroit Lions, where credit goes to Raiola’s father, Dominic, who was Stafford’s teammate. That connection underscores Raiola’s respect for legacy and continuity, mirroring the respect he retained for his former Ohio State affiliation even after the split .
Some fans and commentators on Reddit have weighed in that Raiola “only wanted to go someplace where he was guaranteed to start as a true freshman” and that he wasn’t comfortable competing with other quarterbacks at Ohio State; they contrast that with Nebraska’s approach, which has started true freshman QBs more readily in recent years . However, even those critics concede that Ohio State’s culture and coaching attract top talent, and that Raiola’s departure had little to do with personal animus toward Day or the program—they emphasize choice, not disrespect.
Given all that, it’s striking how consistent Raiola has remained in lauding Coach Day. He’s called him “the best coach to do it,” in reference to quarterback development; he’s recalled taking everything “like a sponge” while working with him; he’s said that practice sessions with Day reaffirmed why he committed so early; and importantly he has acknowledged Day’s system and Ohio State’s player development even after he had moved on .
On the program side, Ohio State has nearly always handled the matter graciously. Media reports and Ohio State insiders have described the decommitment as painful—but not acrimonious—and have framed it as part of normal recruiting volatility in modern college football. One outlet in 2022 wrote that it “stings” but noted it in the context of Stroud and Ewers also departing, and that Ohio State continued to land talent like Kyle McCord and Devin Brown in the quarterback room .
By the time of Raiola’s departure, Ohio State had already begun securing other quarterback prospects like Air Noland and later, Julian Sayin. Public sentiment among fans evolved to acceptance, especially as the coaching staff continued to stay in touch with Raiola and there were no public negative comments from him toward the Buckeyes .
In summary, Dylan Raiola’s relationship with Ohio State and Ryan Day has remained consistently respectful and appreciative—even though he ultimately decommitted, followed through with commitments elsewhere, and now plays for Nebraska. From his early public statements, he consistently praised Day as a “special coach” with a system tailor-made for quarterback success. His first in‑person workout with Day left him “speechless” and committed to getting better. When he decommitted, his father emphasized respect remained intact. When referencing Ohio State after the fact, Raiola’s tone stayed positive, praising what he learned and what Day imparted. Day himself returned that respect in press conferences. And even as discussions online reflect frustration or skepticism about Raiola’s decision, they also punctuate that honorably, he never burned bridges or disparaged OSU or its staff.
That ongoing respect is rare in the modern college football recruiting world, where flip‑flopping and negativity often follow decommitments. Instead, Raiola’s example suggests an unusually mature handling of a major recruiting change: admiration for the institution and coach, even while taking a different path in pursuit of personal goals. He speaks highly of The Shoe, the Buckeye brand, and Day’s quarterback room—because the time he spent in that environment clearly shaped him. He hasn’t wavered in crediting Day’s emphasis on ball placement, pocket poise, timing, and detail—things that remain visible in his play at Nebraska, flawed at times, yes, but rooted in fundamentals he absorbed early on.
Ultimately, Dylan Raiola holds Ohio State, Ryan Day, and The Shoe in high regard not as empty gestures but as repeated themes in interviews, interactions, and public remarks. That respect hasn’t faded despite his decommitment; on the contrary, his continued praise suggests that the lessons he learned in Columbus stuck with him—and that even now, he values Day’s role in his development, regardless of where he ended up.
