Imitation is said to be the purest form of flattery.

If so, Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola holds the highest esteem for quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

3Raiola has garnered early season buzz for his Mahomes-esque styleCredit: Getty

You have to be careful not to mistake Nebraska’s number 15 behind center for the world’s best football player. that person who lives in Kansas City.

Although he is a talented athlete in his own right with plenty of unrealized potential, the Cornhuskers’ rookie quarterback has elevated his game.

Raiola is the perfect Mahomes clone—from the number 15 to the identical curls, facial hair, headband, and mirror blade sunglasses.

Remember to follow the same pregame routine as well.

After switching from Georgia to Nebraska in December of last year, the class of 2024’s top quarterback is currently in his true freshman season and is living up to the hype thus far while bringing back the fun element for Nebraska football.

The Cornhuskers, who are now 3-0 and ranked 22nd in the AP Poll, are preparing for a major top 25 clash on Friday night when they welcome Illinois, who are ranked 24th, and the Fighting Illini.

Though Raiola is to blame for the unprecedented level of Cornhusker fever, this will be Nebraska’s most difficult test to date.

Who is to criticize Raiola if copying Mahomes’ every move, down to his goatee, works?

The 19-year-old has Nebraska off to their best start since 2016, which may sound strange.

If the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 is dressing up, so what? Not only is it effective for him, but it also benefits his team.

3Raiola has Nebraska off to their best start in almost ten yearsCredit: Getty

Raiola has a natural talent and inventiveness that is obvious to anyone with even the slightest talent sense.

That’s how he and Mahomes should be compared. Not that they leap froggy in the same way.

Since the above mentioned 2016 season, Nebraska has not qualified for a bowl game. At Texas Tech, Patrick Mahomes was a junior.

A long time has passed.

Give this to the fans of Nebraska. They have no idea who their quarterback aspires to be like.

It’s perhaps the greatest quarterback on the planet, if there is anyone you want your quarterback to emulate.

Furthermore, it doesn’t appear to bother even Mahomes.

“It’s really cool. Prior to the team’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Mahomes stated, “I was that guy.”

“I played shortstop and idolized Alex Rodriguez. I tried to mimic his plays and actions. It aided in my development into the athlete I am now.

It’s only alerting me to the fact that I’m becoming older. These individuals are approaching you and performing side arm (throwing) motions and similar actions.

“I exercise with Dylan throughout the off-season, so I know him. He plays football really well and is a great kid. I believe he will leave his own mark on the game, and you have already seen that so far in his career.”

Raiola admitted that he just tries to be genuine to himself and doesn’t do it on purpose.

3Mahomes has become the NFL’s most recognizable figure in today’s game

Many people believe that I aspire to be just like him, but in all honesty, I was a baseball player growing up and never really enjoyed football. “I always wore glasses as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥,” Raiola remarked during a press appearance in August, around the time the analogies started to gain popularity on social media.

“I really didn’t know about Mahomes back then, and I’ve had this hairstyle since maybe the sixth or seventh grade. I do things a little differently than him, so it’s not exactly like him.

“I guess people can say whatever they want to say. It’s cool because that guy is one of the best. I simply strive to complete my own work and model my play after myself.”

The buzz and comparisons will only intensify as the college football season progresses and Raiola continues to lead Nebraska to victories.

However, as Raiola stated, he is indifferent.