They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

If that’s the case, then Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola has the utmost respect for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

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When you look at number 15 behind the Nebraska center, be careful not to confuse him with the best football player in the world. The one who lives in Kansas City.

While he’s already a very good player in his own right and has a lot of untapped potential, the Cornhuskers’ freshman quarterback has taken his aura to a whole other level.

Wearing the number 15, the same facial hair, curls, headband and mirrored sunglasses, Raiola is the ultimate Mahomes clone.

And don’t forget to perform the same pre-match ritual.

The best quarterback of the 2024 class transferred from Georgia to Nebraska last December and is now in his first season. He is living up to expectations and making the Nebraska football team feel good again.

The Cornhuskers started 3-0 and were ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll. They prepare for a key Top 25 matchup on Friday night when they host Illinois and the 24th-ranked Fighting Illini.

This will be Nebraska’s toughest test yet, but thanks to Raiola, Cornhusker fever has never been higher.

If Raiola can emulate Mahomes down to his goatee, who’s to say?

It may sound strange, but the 19-year-old helped Nebraska get off to its best start since 2016.

Who cares if the kid plays dress up? It works for him, and more importantly, it works for his team.

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Anyone with an eye for potential will see Raiola’s talent and creativity.

That should be the comparison between him and Mahomes. Not that they make the same frog jumps.

Nebraska hasn’t made it to a bowl game since the aforementioned 2016 season. Patrick Mahomes was a junior at Texas Tech.

It’s been a while.

Let the Nebraska fans hear this. They don’t care who their quarterback tries to imitate.

If there’s anyone you should copy as your quarterback, it’s probably the best in the world.

Besides, it doesn’t even seem to bother Mahomes.

“It’s cool, honestly. I was that guy,” Mahomes said ahead of Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I loved Alex Rodriguez, playing shortstop (and) trying to make plays like him and doing things like that. It helped me become the athlete I am (today).

“It just tells me I’m getting a little old. You got these guys coming up and doing some side arm (throwing) stuff and stuff like that.

“I know Dylan, I train with him in the off-season. He’s a great lad, a great footballer. I think he’s going to put his own stamp on the game and I think you saw that early on in his career.”

Raiola himself said that he doesn’t do it on purpose and just wants to be honest with himself.

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“A lot of people think I’m trying to be like him, but honestly, I grew up playing baseball (and) never liked football. As a kid, I always wore glasses,” Raiola said at a news conference in August as the comparisons went viral on social media.

“I’ve had this haircut since maybe 6th or 7th grade and I didn’t really know about Mahomes back then. I have my own kick to it, so it’s not quite like him.

“Guess if that’s what people want to say (they can). That guy is one of the best, so that’s cool. I’m just trying to make my own game and emulate my game.”

As the American football season progresses and Raiola continues to lead Nebraska to victories, the hype and comparisons only grow.

But as Raiola said, he doesn’t care.

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