The evidence of a dynasty has been mounting.
Long before Georgia won back-to-back national championships, there was a sense that something was being constructed in Athens. In the past two years, however, the Bulldogs have escalated the conversation, pushing rival Alabama aside somewhat seamlessly along the way.
On the heels of their second national title, a 65-7 bludgeoning of TCU that still doesn't quite feel real, the word "dynasty" was attached to Kirby Smart's team with far greater frequency and ease. Now, four months later, one can't help but feel even stronger about those claims with more reinforcements on the horizon.
Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 quarterback and top overall player in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports, committed to Georgia on Monday. The 6'3", 220-pound QB has starred at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, Arizona. He chose the Bulldogs over USC, Nebraska and others.
"There's a culture and a standard that I was attracted to," Raiola said to ESPN on his decision. "The more time that went by, the stronger I felt about Georgia and ultimately led to this decision."
While Raiola's commitment to the defending national champions isn't necessarily a surprise, the decision requires proper context. His father played for Nebraska, and the connection to the school and its latest reboot under Matt Rhule felt significant.
As for USC, the allure is obvious. The Trojans are closer to home, and Caleb Williams, fresh off winning a Heisman, is likely to depart for the NFL after the coming season.
The potential pairing with head coach Lincoln Riley—coupled with easier access to the starting QB vacancy in an offensive-minded system—had plenty to offer. In this instance, it wasn't enough.