Dylan Raiola Says He Sees Patrick Mahomes Like Kobe Bryant Viewed Michael Jordan

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola said during Big Ten Football Media Days that he looks up to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes much in the same way that Kobe Bryant idolized Michael Jordan.

Mahomes is certainly a good role model. In seven years as a starter, Mahomes' Chiefs have won five AFC titles and three Super Bowls. They've also made the AFC Championship Game in each of his seven seasons.

On a personal level, Mahomes has won two NFL MVP awards and three Super Bowl MVP awards while making six Pro Bowls and earning First Team All-Pro spots.

Raiola is entering his second year as Nebraska's quarterback. He entered college football with incredible hype, notably ranking third overall among quarterbacks on the 247Sports Composite list of class of 2024 recruits.

He was thrown into the fire immediately at Nebraska, taking the reins of a struggling program that hadn't enjoyed a winning season since 2016. Raiola has since gotten the Cornhuskers on the right track, with the team going 7-6 and winning the Pinstripe Bowl in his first season.

Raiola wears No. 15 like Mahomes, and he even has a similar haircut. When asked about Raiola last September and how the Cornhusker quarterback clearly looks up to him, Mahomes said the following, per Adam Teicher (then of ESPN).

"It's cool, honestly," Mahomes said. "I was that guy. I grew up watching players. I remember when I would grow up, I loved Alex Rodriguez playing shortstop and I tried to make plays just like him and do stuff like that, and it helped me become the athlete that I am.

"I know Dylan, I trained with him in the offseason. Great kid, a great football player, and I think he's going to make his own stamp on the game. And I think you've seen that early in his career."

Raiola will look to continue his ascendance this season, beginning on Aug. 28 at Cincinnati.