Dylan Raiola’s got that Patrick Mahomes vibe, no doubt. The Mohawk, the No. 15 jersey—it’s like he’s channeling the Chiefs’ superstar. And it’s not just the look; the kid’s got the arm talent, the clutch factor, and that off-script magic that makes Mahomes so electric. Raiola thrives in chaos, just like Mahomes, extending plays, launching bombs, and threading needles from any angle. While the comparisons are spot-on, let’s be real: Raiola’s still a ‘work in progress’ QB at Nebraska, and his HC is making that pro-league prep super clear.

On the February 27th episode of The Pat McAfee Show, live from the NFL Combine, Nebraska’s head coach Matt Rhule dropped a hilarious nugget. Pat McAfee, ever the instigator, posted a clip on X that everyone’s buzzing about. The big question? Would Raiola follow Mahomes’ lead and ditch the Mohawk after Mahomes himself went for a buzz cut following the Super Bowl? Turns out, Raiola might have been planning a trim, but Mahomes beat him to the punch. “It’s funny. You know, if I’m being honest, I think he was going to cut his hair anyway and then, when Mahomes did, it was like, (no),” Rhule said.

And here comes Rhule, setting the record straight on Dylan Raiola’s football future. During the conversation, Huskers HC continued to shower praise on his freshman quarterback but made one thing clear—he’s preparing Raiola for the long haul. “I love the kid, and he came there; his parents trusted him to come here not because of my offensive philosophy; I’m not renowned for that. It’s the other part. I do not want him showing up someday as the first pick and going to some team in New York or some team in LA and, all of a sudden, for the first time in his life, he’ll experience adversity,” said the coach. He understands that the transition to the pro level is a massive leap, and he’s all set to equip Raiola with the mental and emotional tools necessary to navigate it.

This isn’t about coddling or shielding him from the inevitable challenges; it’s about instilling discipline and accountability. Rhule is creating a demanding environment that mirrors the pressures Raiola will face in the pros. “Yeah, he has fun, he runs around, he celebrates. He does all the things, but he’s in there every morning at six, and when he doesn’t do something right, he’s hearing about it from me. And, if he misses a nutrition appointment and he wants to show up to throw, I’m like, No, you’re not allowed to throw today because you missed your nutrition appointment. So, he’s getting all that stuff,” said the Nebraska head coach.

While Rhule has concerns about Dylan Raiola’s football future, he also knows the quarterback’s potential is sky-high. Raiola’s freshman season had its ups and downs—2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions—but the grind never stops. “Social media paints people different ways. I wish all of our kids were like Dylan is. You know what? He’s a work in progress. We’re all works in progress. But if tomorrow morning, and the mat drill isn’t good, he’s going to hear about it, and he’ll do it again the next day. So, don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine,” said Rhule.

However, Rhule didn’t stop there. See, Raiola has drawn Mahomes comparisons for a reason—and Rhule made his stance clear, saying, “He’s going to be a guy. Yeah, he’ll be a guy. I love the kid. Whatever team gets him in three years? They’re going to get a guy.” Right now, the Cornhuskers HC has nothing but praise for Raiola—but in Nebraska, his weight is the talk of the town.

Concern over Dylan Raiola’s weight

On Wednesday, Matt Rhule joined The Triple Option podcast, covering a range of topics—including his freshman quarterback’s first season. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Raiola took the reins as Nebraska’s QB1 from day one. A true freshman starter with that size and talent? That’s a big question.

Rhule didn’t shy away from addressing Raiola’s weight, emphasizing the importance of keeping it in check. And he believes 225 pounds is the sweet spot for his QB’s mobility and playmaking ability. “His weight. Making sure he’s a guy that can extend plays, making sure he’s a guy that’s nimble, make sure he’s a guy who can run. He’s a much different quarterback at 225 than he will be at 245,” Rhule explained.

Moreover, Rhule made it clear—Raiola is locked in on keeping his body right. “So, he is buying into that. He comes in every morning and does cardio before he throws. So, he understands that he’s a big man and wants to keep his movement skills,” Rhule said. But it’s not just the coaching staff noticing. Huskers analyst Damon Benning doubled down on the importance, saying, “If one of your physically most gifted players, the natural leader, if he got like an elite level fitness, just imagine what that would do for the guys around him.” So is this whole fitness thing a major deal right now? Maybe not, but leadership starts with setting the right example. Remember last January when Mahomes’ shirtless pic went viral and all the ‘dad bod’ jokes started flying? He shut everyone up by coming back even stronger, proving he’s a legend. Now, is Raiola going to handle this the same way?

Let’s be honest, this wouldn’t be such a hot topic if Nebraska had crushed it last season. That 7-6 record left people wanting more, and now all eyes are on Raiola to see if he can step up and deliver this year.