Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola knows the comparisons are inevitable. Fans, media and young kids alike see Patrick Mahomes when they see him — the same hairstyle, the same athleticism, the same pregame flair. But Raiola insists it’s not about imitation, it’s about circumstance.
“Everybody be like, ‘Oh, he wants to be like him,’ and all this stuff,” Raiola said on CBS Sports Confidential Conversations. “It just so happens he played baseball, I played baseball. He plays quarterback, I play quarterback … I can’t get mad at God for making me look like him.”
Raiola has developed a personal relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and three-time Super Bowl champion, even visiting the locker room during last season’s AFC Championship celebration. Both share the same personal quarterback trainer Jeff Christensen.
That bond only adds to the intrigue as Raiola opens the 2025 season on Mahomes’ home turf. Nebraska kicks off against Cincinnati on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
For Raiola, the Mahomes connection is less about mimicry and more about mentorship. He has compared it to the relationship Kobe Bryant once shared with Michael Jordan — an opportunity to absorb lessons from one of the best while still carving out his own identity.
“It ain’t cap. It’s real love,” Raiola said. “… [Mahomes] is cool, bro. He knows what it is.”
The sophomore quarterback’s network of mentors doesn’t stop there. Raiola, the godson of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, said he has also begun recently connecting with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, who has defended Raiola amid the constant comparisons, said fans should recognize the difference between influence and identity.
“The one thing that bothers me when people look at [Raiola] is the Mahomes comparisons — that’s just cheapening who he is,” Rhule said on his podcast “House Rhules”. “So, yeah, he follows the greatest quarterback playing the game right now. He’s 19 years old, why wouldn’t he? He knows the guy.”
Raiola admitted the comparisons can wear on him, especially when they come from kids who overlook his own name.
“Every time a little kid around here is like, ‘Yo, mini-Mahomes!’ I’m like, ‘What’d you say? What’s my name?'” Raiola said. “I’m trying to be my own guy.”
The 2024 season gave Raiola a crash course in college football reality. A former five-star recruit, he finished with 13 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, struggling late with just four scores to nine picks over his final eight games.
Determined to flip the script, Raiola said this offseason he overhauled his conditioning and strength, dropping body fat, adding lean muscle and building a cardio routine that includes running several miles every few days.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Spurs close to signing Simons after Chelsea interest
Tottenham Hotspur are close to completing the signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig with Chelsea having also been interested in the attacking midfielder.The clubs have agreed a deal worth just over £51m, while the 22-year-old has also agreed personal terms. It comes after successful negotiations between Spurs and RB Leipzig, who hold a good relationship.Chelsea are set to miss out to their Premier League rivals, having also been interested in Simons. They have already agreed a £40m fee with Manchester United to sign Alejandro Garnacho.Simons was excused from training on Thursday, according to Sky in Germany, and travelled to London to explore a move to the Premier League. Datawrapper This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the […]
Make your prediction with Rangers vs Celtic analysed
An Old Firm clash never needs any extra intrigue, but the first meeting of the season comes amid unrest from both Rangers and Celtic fans.While the blue side of Glasgow wants their head coach sacked, the green and white side are trying to get rid of their club's board. The first Scottish Premiership meeting of the season follows a dismal week for both sides in Europe, with failure to qualify for the Champions League - after Celtic lost on penalties to lowly Kairay Almaty, Rangers were hammered 6-0 by Club Brugge for a 9-1 aggregate defeat. Sunday 31st August 11:00am Kick off 12:00pm Russell Martin has made a dismal start at Ibrox, while Brendan Rodgers is in the final year of his current deal at Celtic and has made no secret about his frustration at the lack of summer signings.How […]
Osaka: Ostapenko’s Townsend comments ‘one of worst things you can say to black player’
Naomi Osaka hit out at Jelena Ostapenko over her courtside confrontation with opponent Taylor Townsend.The incident at the US Open on Wednesday has been one of the most talked-about of the tournament, with Ostapenko accusing American Townsend of having "no education" and "no class" following their second-round match. The comments, which Ostapenko justified as a reaction to Townsend not apologising for a shot that hit the top of the net, have prompted accusations of racism.Ostapenko strongly denied that on social media, while Townsend also said she did not interpret the remarks in that way.However, Osaka said: "I think obviously it's one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport." "I know Taylor and I know how hard she's worked and I know how smart she is, so she's the furthest thing […]
College football winners, losers: Nebraska survives as Big Ten ekes out four ugly Thursday victories
Week 1 of the college football season kicked off Thursday, and it delivered plenty of drama, highlights and insights, capped by a thrilling finish in Nebraska's 20-17 win over Cincinnati (in front of power couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, nonetheless). It was just part of an ugly but unbeaten night for the Big Ten, which had four teams in action.Rutgers topped Ohio 34-31, Minnesota beat Buffalo 23-10 and Wisconsin edged Miami (Ohio) 17-0. But the headliner was Nebraska, which is expected to take a step toward national relevance in coach Matt Rhule's third season following the program's first bowl bid since 2016.That step forward nearly became a big step back as Cincinnati launched a potential game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Huskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. intercepted Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby with 39 seconds remaining to preserve the […]
Tennis-Schlacht bei US Open – Altmaier haut Tsitsipas raus!
Daniel Altmaier (26) hat seinen bisher größten Erfolg bei den US Open gefeiert, folgt Alexander Zverev (28) und Jan-Lennard Struff (35) in die 3. Runde des Turniers in New York (alle Spiele live bei sporteurope.tv)!In einem Fünf-Satz-Krimi haut er den früheren Top-Ten-Spieler Stefanos Tsitsipas (27) aus Griechenland 7:6 (7:5), 1:6, 4:6, 6:3, 7:5 raus. Im entscheidenden fünften Satz wehrt Altmaier beim Stande von 4:5 einen Matchball ab. Was für eine Tennis-Schlacht!Foto: tennis MAGAZIN<!-->]-->So krachend spannend wie die Schlussphase verläuft auch die Partie. Wahnsinn, welche Kondition Altmaier an den Tag legt. In der 1. Runde gegen den Serben Hamad Medjedovic (22) stand er sogar 4:46 Stunden auf dem Platz, hat also nach nur zwei Runden schon weit über neun Stunden auf dem Platz in den Knochen.So richtig spannend wird es dann aber nach dem Match beim Handschlag am Netz. Da hat […]
Lucas Musetti descarta lesão de Neymar, mas não crava titularidade em Santos x Fluminense: “Clinicamente, está liberado”
Fora da Seleção Brasileira, Neymar está curado do edema na coxa que supostamente o tirou da convocação. Assim, o craque está à disposição da comissão técnica de Juan Pablo Vojvoda para enfrentar o Fluminense, no Brasileirão. Porém, Lucas Musetti aponta problemas extracampos que podem tirar o jogador da partida. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESantos silenciado por equipe de NeymarEm live do “UOL Esporte”, o jornalista Lucas Musetti expôs uma disputa interna, entre o Santos e o staff de Neymar. De acordo com ele, o Peixe não tem autonomia para dar informações sobre as lesões do camisa 10. Bem como, a NR Sports, empresa do pai do jogador, também não confirma nada.“O GE publicou que o Neymar tinha um edema. Edema é uma pré-lesão, uma sobrecarga muscular, como os médicos definem. Fui checar com o Santos, e a resposta foi: “Lucas, não podemos falar. […]
Related
Spurs close to signing Simons after Chelsea interest
Tottenham Hotspur are close to completing the signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig with Chelsea having also been interested in the attacking midfielder.The clubs have agreed a deal worth just over £51m, while the 22-year-old has also agreed personal terms. It comes after successful negotiations between Spurs and RB Leipzig, who hold a good relationship.Chelsea are set to miss out to their Premier League rivals, having also been interested in Simons. They have already agreed a £40m fee with Manchester United to sign Alejandro Garnacho.Simons was excused from training on Thursday, according to Sky in Germany, and travelled to London to explore a move to the Premier League. Datawrapper This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the […]
Osaka: Ostapenko’s Townsend comments ‘one of worst things you can say to black player’
Naomi Osaka hit out at Jelena Ostapenko over her courtside confrontation with opponent Taylor Townsend.The incident at the US Open on Wednesday has been one of the most talked-about of the tournament, with Ostapenko accusing American Townsend of having "no education" and "no class" following their second-round match. The comments, which Ostapenko justified as a reaction to Townsend not apologising for a shot that hit the top of the net, have prompted accusations of racism.Ostapenko strongly denied that on social media, while Townsend also said she did not interpret the remarks in that way.However, Osaka said: "I think obviously it's one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport." "I know Taylor and I know how hard she's worked and I know how smart she is, so she's the furthest thing […]
Make your prediction with Rangers vs Celtic analysed
An Old Firm clash never needs any extra intrigue, but the first meeting of the season comes amid unrest from both Rangers and Celtic fans.While the blue side of Glasgow wants their head coach sacked, the green and white side are trying to get rid of their club's board. The first Scottish Premiership meeting of the season follows a dismal week for both sides in Europe, with failure to qualify for the Champions League - after Celtic lost on penalties to lowly Kairay Almaty, Rangers were hammered 6-0 by Club Brugge for a 9-1 aggregate defeat. Sunday 31st August 11:00am Kick off 12:00pm Russell Martin has made a dismal start at Ibrox, while Brendan Rodgers is in the final year of his current deal at Celtic and has made no secret about his frustration at the lack of summer signings.How […]
College football winners, losers: Nebraska survives as Big Ten ekes out four ugly Thursday victories
Week 1 of the college football season kicked off Thursday, and it delivered plenty of drama, highlights and insights, capped by a thrilling finish in Nebraska's 20-17 win over Cincinnati (in front of power couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, nonetheless). It was just part of an ugly but unbeaten night for the Big Ten, which had four teams in action.Rutgers topped Ohio 34-31, Minnesota beat Buffalo 23-10 and Wisconsin edged Miami (Ohio) 17-0. But the headliner was Nebraska, which is expected to take a step toward national relevance in coach Matt Rhule's third season following the program's first bowl bid since 2016.That step forward nearly became a big step back as Cincinnati launched a potential game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Huskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. intercepted Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby with 39 seconds remaining to preserve the […]
Tennis-Schlacht bei US Open – Altmaier haut Tsitsipas raus!
Daniel Altmaier (26) hat seinen bisher größten Erfolg bei den US Open gefeiert, folgt Alexander Zverev (28) und Jan-Lennard Struff (35) in die 3. Runde des Turniers in New York (alle Spiele live bei sporteurope.tv)!In einem Fünf-Satz-Krimi haut er den früheren Top-Ten-Spieler Stefanos Tsitsipas (27) aus Griechenland 7:6 (7:5), 1:6, 4:6, 6:3, 7:5 raus. Im entscheidenden fünften Satz wehrt Altmaier beim Stande von 4:5 einen Matchball ab. Was für eine Tennis-Schlacht!Foto: tennis MAGAZIN<!-->]-->So krachend spannend wie die Schlussphase verläuft auch die Partie. Wahnsinn, welche Kondition Altmaier an den Tag legt. In der 1. Runde gegen den Serben Hamad Medjedovic (22) stand er sogar 4:46 Stunden auf dem Platz, hat also nach nur zwei Runden schon weit über neun Stunden auf dem Platz in den Knochen.So richtig spannend wird es dann aber nach dem Match beim Handschlag am Netz. Da hat […]
Lucas Musetti descarta lesão de Neymar, mas não crava titularidade em Santos x Fluminense: “Clinicamente, está liberado”
Fora da Seleção Brasileira, Neymar está curado do edema na coxa que supostamente o tirou da convocação. Assim, o craque está à disposição da comissão técnica de Juan Pablo Vojvoda para enfrentar o Fluminense, no Brasileirão. Porém, Lucas Musetti aponta problemas extracampos que podem tirar o jogador da partida. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESantos silenciado por equipe de NeymarEm live do “UOL Esporte”, o jornalista Lucas Musetti expôs uma disputa interna, entre o Santos e o staff de Neymar. De acordo com ele, o Peixe não tem autonomia para dar informações sobre as lesões do camisa 10. Bem como, a NR Sports, empresa do pai do jogador, também não confirma nada.“O GE publicou que o Neymar tinha um edema. Edema é uma pré-lesão, uma sobrecarga muscular, como os médicos definem. Fui checar com o Santos, e a resposta foi: “Lucas, não podemos falar. […]
Be the first to leave a comment