What I Learned About Dylan Raiola and Ryan Puglisi at the Elite 11 Finals
A lot of things tend to lose their luster over time. Whether it be that favorite meal that you've had one too many times or the latest trend that's forever replaced by the next hot thing. The Elite 11 is the anthesis of that in the scouting world. We are going on 27 iterations of a camp that attempts to identify the No. 1 quarterback in high school football, and every year there are not only storylines but things to learn about the players here.
So, when the University of Georgia has not one, but two quarterback commits — Dylan Raiola and Ryan Puglisi — here at the event, it's important to learn as much as humanly possible about them over the three-day camp. That's what we set out to do here this week. It's a physical box-checking assignment first, then we spend the week learning as much about the intangibles as humanly possible.
Here are three days of notes and observations.
Dylan Raiola
Uncommonly talented. Those are the two worlds I'd used to describe Raiola. For an individual that's only been playing the quarterback position since he was a 9th grader, he's one of the most effortless throwers this camp has seen. He also happens to throw a tremendously catchable football, if you told me he didn't throw a loose football all week, I wouldn't fight you on it. It's everything we'd heard about arm talent-wise, though he does play with far more touch than I expected for a guy that's sold as a power-arm thrower.
There are some things outside of the throwing of the ball that we noticed as well. Silly things, seventeen-year-old things. Like being last off the bus, or forgetting that you've got the snap count during a drill, or forgetting what we are doing in the drill. There were some obvious signs of something coaches would refer to as "not being locked in." These are minor things, they are small details that tended to go by the wayside this week, and if you're getting knit-picky, that's where you point. Though I've found over the years that this position isn't always about who's the best thrower of the football. Rarely does success occur because someone is the most talented quarterback. It's almost always because they do all of the little things required to have sustained excellence at this sport. He's still working on that part of the game of football it seems to me. But my god, the thrower this young man is already.
It's also worth noting that when the 7-on-7 portion of things began, Dylan Raiola was hands down the best quarterback that day at the Elite 11. He scored touchdowns on four of five drives, he didn't turn the ball over, he played on time, and he made big plays.
Ryan Puglisi
You know all those "little things" we were just talking about, well, Puglisi is "All the Small Things." Prime example, the Pro Day event is supposed to be randomized, you don't know when it's going to be your turn other than a "Hey you're on deck and you're in the hole." So, as Puglisi seems to begin to get ready to go, I noticed that he was following the guy in front of his and taking "dry reps." He was walking with the group, taking the reps mentally and on air, preparing his mind and body for what it is he's about to do.
Typically the football players that do "all the little things" are the ones that are suspect in the talent department. They do all the small things because they can't physically do the big ones. Ryan Puglisi is NOT that. I always try to ask players and coaches at this event what they think about all these QBs, and to a man, most quarterbacks I talked to said that Puglisi had one of if not the strongest arms at this event. He can make every throw. Does it look as effortless and smooth as Raiola, I would say no, but does it get there when and how it needs to, yes.
99% of 17-year-olds pack it in and find a new place to play their college football when the number one ranked player at their position commits to their school. The lip service prior to meeting Puglisi was great, he said everything right, he told the media what he should about competition, about sticking it out and fighting for what he wants. I got to see that in person this week, and it's not lip service, that's who that young man is. He wants to climb the biggest mountain, he wants to ride the biggest buck.
I don't know if Dylan Raiola is quite ready to lead at Georgia, but he's damn sure ready to play. Conversely, I don't know if Ryan Puglisi is ready to play at Georgia, but he's damn sure ready to lead.
Other Georgia News:
- BREAKING: Georgia's 2024 Schedule has Been Released
- Elite 11 Finals Preview: Who's Going to Win?
- Kirby Smart, NIL and Transfer Portal Make it "Excruciating" on Coaches
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