Nebraska sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola has been called “Baby Mahomes.” Everything about him — from his haircut to his style of play to his jersey No. 15 — harkens back to Patrick Mahomes, as do his self-confidence and ability to win.
As a freshman with Nebraska, Raiola led the Cornhuskers to their first winning season since 2016, when they won the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College. Does he have a little more in common with Mahomes than just the headband?
Is Dylan Raiola Related to Patrick Mahomes?
Raiola and Mahomes are not related, but, as Cody Nagel of CBS Sports noted, they do have a connection. While it’s not familial, Mahomes has referred to Raiola as “Lil cuzzo.” They also share the same trainer, Jeff Christensen.
Raiola and the Cornhuskers kick off their season Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Mahomes’ stomping grounds, Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiola has said he likes to emulate high-character people, including Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and Mahomes, who has three Super Bowl wins in five appearances.
As for his personal connection to Mahomes, Raiola discussed it on the “Cover 3” podcast last month.
“I’m not comparing myself to Kobe or anything, but like Kobe did to Mike, that’s kind of like me to Patrick,” 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 of everything outside. I can’t control God made me look like this and play the same sports.”
“It ain’t cap. It’s real love.” 🗣️@HuskerFootball QB Dylan Raiola discussed his relationship with Patrick Mahomes w/ his teammates pic.twitter.com/66fKISBxdr
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 25, 2025
Raiola has the rare privilege of having more than one great quarterback in his corner. His godfather is Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, and he can also count Tom Brady among his mentors.
While Raiola and the Cornhuskers won a bowl game, he did have his ups and downs in 2024. He completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 2,819 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Those are not gaudy numbers, but they are respectable considering he plays for a program on the rise.
Head coach Matt Rhule is confident in his young quarterback, though, and, as Nagel reported, he thinks the Mahomes comparisons are unfair.
“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.”
All that said, Raiola is looking to ball out in 2025.
