13 hours Ago By Jack
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s the case, then Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola has the utmost regard for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. When watching number 15 behind center for Nebraska you have to be careful not to confuse him with the best football player on the planet.
The one that resides in Kansas City. While a very good player in his own right, and full of untapped potential, the freshman quarterback for the Cornhuskers has taken his look to a whole different level. From the number 15, to the same facial hair, curls, headband and mirror blade sunglasses, Raiola is the ultimate Mahomes clone.
And don't forget the same pregame ritual too. The No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2024 flipped from Georgia to Nebraska last December and is now in his true freshman season living up to the billing so far while restoring the feelgood factor to Nebraska football.
Off to a 3-0 start and ranked 22nd in the AP Poll, the Cornhuskers are getting ready for a huge top 25 matchup on Friday night, when they welcome Illinois and the 25th ranked Fighting Illini. This will be Nebraska's toughest test to date, but thanks to Raiola, Cornhusker fever is at an all-time high. If imitating Mahomes down to his goatee, works for Raiola, then who is anyone to judge? It might seem weird, but the 19-year-old has Nebraska off to their best start since 2016.
Who cares if the kid is playing dress-up? It's working for him, and more importantly, it's working for his team. Anyone with a half an eye on spotting potential, can see the arm talent and creativity that Raiola possesses. That should be the comparison between him and Mahomes.
Not that they do the same froggy jumps. Nebraska hasn't made a bowl game since the aforementioned 2016 season. Patrick Mahomes was a junior at Texas Tech.
It's been a while. Let Nebraska fans have this. They don't care who their quarterback is trying to emulate.
If there is anyone out there that you want your quarterback to be copying, it's probably the best one on the planet. Besides, even Mahomes doesn't seem to mind. "It's cool, honestly.
I was that guy," said Mahomes, ahead of last Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals. "I loved Alex Rodriguez, played shortstop (and) would try to make plays just like him and do stuff like that. It helped me become the athlete I am (today).
"It's just telling me I'm getting a little old. You have these guys who are coming up and doing some of the side arm (throwing) stuff and everything like that. "I know Dylan, I train with him in the offseason.
He's a great kid, a great football player. I think he is going to make his own stamp on the game and I think you've seen that early in his career." Raiola himself said he doesn't do it intentionally and is only trying to be true to himself.
"A lot of people think I try to be just like him, but honestly, I grew up playing baseball (and) never liked football. As a kid, I always wore glasses," said Raiola at a news conference back in August when the comparisons began to go viral on social media. "I've had this haircut since 6th or 7th grade maybe and I really didn't know about Mahomes then.
I have my own little kick to it so it's not completely like him. "Guess if that is what people want to say (they can). That guy is one of the best, so it's cool.
I just try to do my own and mimic my game after myself." As we get further and further into the college football season and Raiola keeps leading Nebraska to wins, the hype and comparisons are only going to get louder and louder. But like Raiola said, he doesn't care.
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