As the lights shine brightly over Ohio Stadium this Saturday, all eyes will be on Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola as he prepares for one of the biggest challenges of his young college football career. Facing the formidable No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes in a highly anticipated matchup featured on Fox’s “Big Noon Saturday,” Raiola will step into a hostile environment with national attention on him and his teammates.
Despite being just seven games into his freshman season, Raiola has already sparked comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes. These parallels stem from various aspects, including Raiola’s play style, the iconic No. 15 he dons, and even his physical resemblance to the three-time Super Bowl champion.
The comparisons first emerged when Raiola reported to training camp on July 31, where a striking photo of him surfaced on social media. Sporting a goatee and sunglasses reminiscent of Mahomes, coupled with a similar hairstyle, the image quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter).
This moment marked the beginning of a narrative that would only gain momentum as Raiola continued to impress on the field.
During his home opener against UTEP on August 31, Raiola stepped off the team bus wearing those same sunglasses, further fueling the Mahomes comparisons. The resemblance wasn’t merely superficial; it extended to his performance on the field. Shortly after Raiola threw his first career touchdown pass, Mahomes himself chimed in, tweeting a highlight clip with the affectionate caption, “Lil cuzzo!!”
In an interview on September 11, Mahomes shared his thoughts on the comparisons. “It’s cool, honestly. I was that guy,” he reflected, reminiscing about how he admired Alex Rodriguez and emulated him in his own early athletic pursuits. “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.”
As Raiola prepares for this pivotal game against Ohio State, the pressure will be on him to demonstrate the talent that has drawn such lofty comparisons. While the national spotlight can be daunting, Raiola’s ability to handle attention and rise to the occasion has been evident throughout his early career.
With Mahomes as a mentor and a source of inspiration, Raiola has a unique opportunity to carve out his own identity in the world of college football. As he steps onto the field on Saturday, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this young quarterback can channel the magic of Mahomes and lead the Cornhuskers to a statement victory against one of the best teams in the nation. The comparisons may be flattering, but it’s Raiola’s journey that will ultimately define him.
