Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has attracted widespread attention for his striking resemblance to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, not only in appearance but also in his pregame routines. Over the past year, the two quarterbacks have developed a close relationship that Raiola describes as comparable to the mentor-mentee bond between basketball legends Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
Raiola, who was a highly touted five-star recruit, made waves during his freshman year with the Huskers partly because of comparisons to Mahomes. Before Nebraska’s matchup against Colorado, Raiola faithfully replicated Mahomes’ pregame ritual, drawing noticeable parallels between the two.
Growing Connection Between Raiola and Mahomes
Since their initial connection, Raiola has built a meaningful relationship with Mahomes. His bond with the Chiefs quarterback grew strong enough to earn him a spot celebrating with the team in the Chiefs’ locker room following their <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/afc/”>AFC Championship victory. This unique camaraderie has encouraged Raiola as he navigates his college career and future prospects.
On a recent appearance on the Cover 3 Podcast, Raiola compared his growing relationship with Mahomes to the famous mentorship from Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant. He said,
“I’m not comparing myself to Kobe or anything, but like Kobe did to Mike, that’s kind of like me to Patrick,”
he said.
“He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league right now, if not the best. For me to have someone to look up to, talk, call or whatever. The comparisons are kind of everything outside. I can’t control God made me look like this and play the same sports.”
—Dylan Raiola, Nebraska quarterback
Historical Inspiration from the Bryant-Jordan Relationship
The analogy to Bryant and Jordan carries significant weight, as Jordan was not known for close ties with his competitors, yet he developed a strong relationship with Bryant. Kobe absorbed everything he could from Jordan’s experience and expertly applied those lessons on the court, earning Jordan’s respect. Raiola hopes to follow a similar path with Mahomes, using their connection as a foundation for growth and success.
Raiola’s Potential as a Future NFL Talent
Raiola’s talent echoes the promise seen in his relationship with Mahomes. According to 247Sports rankings, Raiola was rated as the No. 2 quarterback and the seventh-best player overall in the 2024 recruiting class. His pedigree suggests he has the potential to become a major <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL player, potentially fulfilling a role akin to Bryant’s impact in basketball alongside Jordan.
Despite this promise, Raiola’s first college season had its challenges. He struggled toward the end of his freshman year, finishing with 13 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions. His performance over the final eight games included just four touchdowns compared to nine interceptions, underscoring areas for improvement.
Commitment to Improvement Ahead of 2025 Season
As Raiola prepares for his sophomore season, he is dedicated to proving his progress, especially in physical conditioning. Reflecting on last season, he said,
“After the season, I looked at the man in the mirror,”
he shared.
“I knew I had to make some changes because, when you want different results, you’ve got to change what wasn’t working. With that came conditioning, cardio and physical shape. I just wanted to work. Lost about five percent of body fat and lost about 25 pounds. Kind of just put back on in muscle – not all 25 pounds – but put some of it back on in muscle. … I run three miles every three or four days. For all the work our guys put in, if I wasn’t in shape, that would be a shame.”
—Dylan Raiola
Upcoming Opportunity to Showcase Growth at Arrowhead Stadium
Raiola’s offseason work will soon be tested in a highly anticipated game against Cincinnati, scheduled to open Nebraska’s 2025 season at Arrowhead Stadium, the home venue of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. This opportunity not only symbolizes a full-circle moment but also represents a stage for Raiola to demonstrate how his relationship with Mahomes and focus on improvement have elevated his game.