Dylan Raiola addresses criticism of his relationship with Patrick Mahomes

There are plenty of quarterbacks who try to emulate the players they look up to. Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola is no different with Patrick Mahomes, but his emulation has also led to criticism for the young quarterback. In particular, there is criticism that he has taken things too far at times.

Raiola and Mahomes do have a real relationship, though. Now, ahead of the Nebraska opener, which Mahomes plans on attending at Arrowhead Stadium, Raiola opened up about their relationship. On Hail Varsity, he also addressed some of the criticism he’s heard from fans about that affinity he has for the Kansas City quarterback.

“So, we kind of train with the same people,” Dylan Raiola said. “We were in Texas at the same time and kind of crossed paths. I had the opportunity to kind of watch him just throw. Talked to him, introduced myself, and like any other person, he’s just a normal guy. Respects and likes to relate to other people. That was kind of the first time we met.”

The first connection between Mahomes and Raiola that fans noticed was superficial. They both wear the No. 15. On top of that, Raiola seemingly styled his hair after Mahomes too. At the time, Mahomes was even prompted to respond to the hairstyle, calling it “cool.”

At the same time, their connection does seem to be deeper than that. Raiola shared that Mahomes shared his number with him and that he’s become a mentor to him over the years.

“Came back to Texas later that month, and I saw him again. He gave me his number. That was kind of like shook me up because I should be asking him for his number,” Raiola said. “But he gave it to me. I’m just so grateful for that, to add to another guy that I can reach out to for advice and I just think ever since, it’s been him supporting and I’ve been supporting him because at the end of the day, I’m still a fan of football. Whether it’s him, whether it’s Matthew [Stafford], whether it’s Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, like, I just like watching good quarterback play, and I think you can learn something from every single guy. It just so happens to be that my guy is three hours down the road.”

It does seem that this mentorship goes beyond just the surface level. Last January, Raiola was seen in the Kansas City locker room. There, running back Isiah Pacheco jokingly compared him to Mahomes.

“So, I’m grateful for that relationship,” Dylan Raiola said. “I know it’s something that people don’t get very often, and it’s something I don’t take for granted.”

Dylan Raiola admitted that their conversations are often not about football. At the same time, if there’s one thing he’s learned from that relationship with Patrick Mahomes, it’s the work ethic that the Kansas City quarterback approaches the game with.