For Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, a season-ending injury was already a devastating blow. After leading the Cornhuskers to a 6-3 record and bowl eligibility, his year was cut short by a broken fibula during a 21-17 loss to the No. 20 USC Trojans. But the tough news did not stop there for the young star, who has famously modeled his game after Patrick Mahomes.
While Raiola recovers, his idol just publicly named a different college quarterback as his favorite to watch.
Why Did Patrick Mahomes Name a New Favorite College Quarterback?
With the Kansas City Chiefs on a bye week, former Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes served as the guest picker on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” The Chiefs quarterback was in Lubbock for the No. 9 Red Raiders’ game against the unbeaten No. 8 BYU Cougars in Week 11. Despite his well-known connection to Raiola, Mahomes singled out a different player for his top praise.
Mahomes picked Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore as his favorite QB to watch in college football. “Dante Moore might be my favorite quarterback to watch in college,” Mahomes said.
“Dante Moore might be my favorite quarterback to watch in college.” — Patrick Mahomes
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) November 8, 2025
The comment drew attention, especially considering the numbers both quarterbacks have put up. So far this season, Moore has led the Ducks to a 7-1 record while tallying 1,772 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and four interceptions, and he has added 131 rushing yards. In comparison, before his injury, Raiola had registered 2,000 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions for the Cornhuskers.
How Deep Was the Connection Between Raiola and Mahomes?
Mahomes’ praise for Moore is particularly notable given how closely Raiola has followed the NFL star’s career. The similarities between Mahomes and Raiola extend beyond fashion choices, as the Nebraska quarterback went viral for mimicking the Chiefs QB’s pre-game routine before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes last year. Additionally, Raiola trains with quarterbacks coach Jeff Christensen and trainer Bobby Stroupe, both of whom were integral to Mahomes’ development.
During a July segment of the “Cover 3” podcast, Raiola even compared his relationship with Mahomes to that of NBA legends Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, who shared a close bond and similar playing styles.
“I’m not comparing myself to Kobe or anything, but like Kobe did to Mike, that’s kind of like me to Patrick,” Dylan Raiola 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.”
This connection was reinforced by real-world access. Raiola was in the Chiefs’ locker room during their AFC championship celebrations, and Mahomes himself was at Arrowhead Stadium on Aug. 30 to watch the Nebraska quarterback lead the Cornhuskers to a 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats.
