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Dylan Raiola, the standout quarterback at Nebraska, has been turning heads with his impressive performances in his first two starts. His playing style, athleticism, and even his jersey number have led to inevitable comparisons to NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes. However, while Raiola might share Mahomes' number 15, the rising college star recently revealed that his inspiration for wearing the number has nothing to do with the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback.
I wore 15 when I first started playing football," Raiola explained, "but it was because of Tim Tebow."
Raiola went on to describe Tebow as a "strong Christian person" and a figure he looked up to for his good character, rather than just his football prowess. Tebow, who became a national icon during his college years at the University of Florida, won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and led his team to two national championships. Though Raiola was just two years old when Tebow was at his peak, he grew up iring Tebow's qualities off the field as much as his success on it.
A new generation of talent
While Raiola looks up to Tebow for his character, his on-field abilities have many drawing parallels to Mahomes. Both players share a similar playing style: mobile, accurate, and unafraid to extend plays. Raiola's quick decision-making and ability to move around the pocket have caught the attention of scouts and fans alike. After his first two games with Nebraska, he has already racked up 423 ing yards and three touchdowns.
The comparisons to Mahomes are not only due to Raiola's skill set, but also the jersey number both athletes wear. Mahomes, already a two-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, has become the standard for modern quarterbacks in the NFL. If Raiola continues his current trajectory, he could be well on his way to a similar path.
Despite the early buzz, Raiola remains grounded, crediting role models like Tebow for shaping his values. Still, his future looks bright, and many believe he could follow in Mahomes' footsteps when it comes to pro success.
Nebraska fans are hopeful that Raiola can lead their team to a strong season, starting with their game against Northern Iowa. With such a promising start, it's clear that Raiola is a name to watch in the world of college football-and perhaps, one day, in the NFL as well.