Near the front—if not the top—of the 2023 high school quarterback hierarchy, 5-star slingers Dylan Raiola and D.J. Lagway have put on a highlight-packed clinic this season.
Touch, strength, and improvisational gusto, each has wowed the crowd and has demonstrated why they are such highly regarded recruits. And fans will get to see a lot more of both QBs at the college level, too, with Raiola headed to Georgia and Lagway off to Florida.
Dawgs vs. Gators — look out!
But the SEC journey and head-to-head arguments are for another day.
As we move into November playoffs across the country, an interesting question snuck into a conversation about the high school football landscape ahead:
Would you want Raiola or Lagway starting for your team during the postseason grind?
The 2023 season for the Willis (Texas) and Florida Gators‘ top-ranked commit has been nothing short of a video game. Lagway has dismantled defenses this season, showing off touch as well as top-tier arm strength…
Florida 5-star QB commit DJ Lagway continued his monster senior season last night with 5 TDs, including this 52-yard bomb🎯
Lagway has 41 TOTAL TDs through seven games🤯
(🎥: @densilva02) https://t.co/Swm4OW4ksEpic.twitter.com/Nq2zBnpHfz
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) October 6, 2023
And he’s shown the ability to disrupt the defense with his legs as well, having rushed for over 200 yards against The Woodlands.
All 7 touchdowns from @WillisWildkats1 / future Florida Gators QB DJ Lagway (@DerekLagway) with a little help from his friends @B6Jermaine and @JalenMickens4. Yours truly on the call on @dctf https://t.co/PFMb9yyryQ. #txhsfb @Texan_Live pic.twitter.com/J7d69f03QI
— Chase Snyder (@ChasingSnyder) October 29, 2023
On the other hand, few quarterbacks can run an offense like Buford’s Dylan Raiola, who was flashing signs of greatness while under center at Chandler (Arizona) in 2022 before joining the Wolves Super 25 attack this season.
The 6-3 220-pound talent and Georgia commit has the uncanny skill to extend plays, using arm strength and athleticism to turn nothing into something — a la Patrick Mahomes.
Raiola’s second TD of the night goes to five star Florida State commit KJ Bolden. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/yH2gQhQRH3
— Jeremy Johnson (@JeremyO_Johnson) October 28, 2023
Tuck and run?
Yep. Raiola might not possess breakaway speed, but he’s shown the capacity to take advantage of what the defense gives him.
Georgia 5-star QB commit Dylan Raiola scores for the FIFTH time in the first half😳
(🎥: @JeremyO_Johnson)https://t.co/ab9tGXJsarpic.twitter.com/iZTd52CyFR
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) October 28, 2023
After considering all the stats and rewatching the highlights, there wasn’t an obvious answer from our end, so we’re turning it to the fans out there..
Let’s hear it!
