Dylan Raiola’s 5-Word Message to 2 x NCAA Champion After Sacrificing Playing Opportunity With Him for Father’s Sake

Dylan Raiola’s got that ‘family and legacy’ nitro boost that fuels everything he does. Turning down heavyweights like Ohio State or Georgia? That’s not something you do unless it really means something. For Raiola, it was about honoring his dad’s Nebraska roots; no questions asked. But it doesn’t stop there—when his buddy, a two-time SEC champ, hit the big leagues, Raiola was front and center, showing love. Loyalty isn’t just a buzzword for Dylan; it’s his lifestyle, whether it’s repping his family, his team, or his friends.

Dylan Raiola chose Matt Rhule’s Nebraska over Kirby Smart’s Georgia to honor his dad, Dominic. Dominic Raiola was a stud offensive lineman for the Nebraska Cornhuskers back in the day, from 1998 to 2000. Now, even though Dylan went to Buford high school in Georgia, and the Bulldogs were crushing it with divisional titles at that time, he still picked Nebraska to carry on his dad’s legacy. But no hard feelings with Georgia though, especially not with his buddy Malaki Starks. When Starks went pro, Dylan was the first to hit him up on Instagram, cheering him on with “Go be great, my guy” and some inspiring Long Journey music playing in the background. Shows you that friendship and legacy can go hand-in-hand.

Now there is no doubt that Malaki Starks is built for greatness in the pros, and his achievements speak volumes about it. The guy is a 2x SEC champ with a legendary track record. Starks became one of Georgia’s most celebrated defensive backs in just three years at Athens. He locked in consensus All-American honors in 2023 and earned first-team All-American nods this season from the FWAA and AFCA. Georgia didn’t just lose a player, they lost a potential all-time great. It’s clear they had a special talent on their hands, and now the pro league is going to get to see what he can do.

Last season, Starks practically carried Georgia’s defense with 77 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups while dominating at both safety and the star nickel back position. And by the time he finished, his career stats boasted 197 tackles and six interceptions. Now the catch here is Malaki could have stayed with the Dawgs, adding more to his track record and solidifying his legacy further. Then what made him change his mind?

Is the Sugar Bowl loss the reason for Malaki Starks’ sudden move?

Well, the Georgia Bulldogs had their own ups and downs this season. A national title-winning team snapped out of the playoffs; coming this close is something Kirby Smart and his team would have never imagined. It’s not just about Malaki Starks declaring himself for the NFL but about players losing their trust in Georgia’s program.

Now it’s evident that the Sugar Bowl loss against Notre Dame would not turn out well, and the fear of players entering the transfer portal was also there. In the midst of all this mess, their alleged starting quarterback, Jaden Rashada, enters the transfer portal.

Looks like Georgia’s shaking things up! With wide receiver Anthony Evans hitting the portal, they clapped back by snagging Zachariah Branch. Big moves, but let’s not ignore that tough loss against the Fighting Irish. It stung like a bee. But still, it’s not like Malaki Starks is sweating it. For him, it’s not about wins or losses; it’s about Georgia giving him his shot. And grateful as ever, Starks keeps it classy!

After the Sugar Bowl loss, he said, “Like I said earlier. The people, man. Football will come and go. I may wake up tomorrow and never play football again. But the people who I have in my life are always going to be there. I think they’ve given me an opportunity to be blessed and see things through another lens that I do very much appreciate.” Well, at least he is not leaving with a heavy heart and had a great time in Georgia.

However, for the Dawgs, things still don’t look good, as they will also lose their safety, Dan Jackson, who is out of college eligibility. Now there are also possibilities that Georgia might bring back KJ Bolden, who is on the path of following Malaki Starks. The Dawgs have a bit of a headache right now. They need to regroup, clean house, and get ready for next season. Let’s hope they don’t lose any more stars like Raiola to family legacies this time around!