Dylan Raiola, Nebraska’s highly anticipated freshman quarterback, has drawn frequent comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, and the similarities between the two are uncanny. Raiola, the top recruit in the 2024 class, made his debut for the Cornhuskers in their season opener against UTEP, and fans couldn’t help but notice how much he resembles the Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback.
From the moment Raiola stepped off the team bus, his likeness to Mahomes was apparent. Sporting the same haircut and goatee, Raiola’s physical build mirrors that of Mahomes—both are tall, muscular, and exude a commanding presence.
Raiola stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 220 pounds, nearly identical to Mahomes’ 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame. Adding to the visual similarities, Raiola wears the same style of sunglasses and even shares the number 15 on his jersey, just like Mahomes.
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But the resemblance doesn’t stop there. Raiola’s game-day attire, including a full arm sleeve on his throwing arm, a half arm sleeve on the opposite arm, a playsheet wristband, and a towel wrapped around his waist, closely matches Mahomes’ signature look.
For those unfamiliar with Raiola, it would be easy to mistake him for the Super Bowl champion.
Interestingly, despite the comparisons, Raiola insists that his look is not a deliberate attempt to mimic Mahomes. Growing up, Raiola was more focused on baseball and didn’t pay much attention to football until later. His current style, including his haircut and attire, has been part of his persona since his middle school days, long before he became aware of Mahomes.
While the physical similarities between the two quarterbacks are striking, Raiola is just beginning his journey in college football, whereas Mahomes is already established as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The true test will be whether Raiola’s on-field performance can match the legacy of the player he so closely resembles.
As the season unfolds, Nebraska fans will be watching closely to see if their new star can live up to the immense expectations.
