Dylan Raiola is back in the national spotlight.

As the college football season nears, a hot topic has been quarterbacks, their NIL value and what they are earning.

Arch Manning takes the cake at $6.8million according to On3’s NIL valuations. He’s followed by Carson Beck at $4.3m, Garrett Nussmeier at $3.8m and LaNorris Sellers at $3.7m.

One player the college football world is familiar with— partially due to his five-star status and No. 1 QB ranking but mostly due to his unusual similarities to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes — is Raiola.

On3’s Pete Nakos has reported that Raiola will make more than $3m this year as he enters his second season as Nebraska’s starting quarterback.

Last year Raiola burst onto the scene as Mahomes’ clone.

From wearing the no.15, to the same facial hair, curls, headband and mirror blade sunglasses, Raiola was quickly seen as the ultimate carbon copy of the man found in Kansas City.

It was odd at the time, but Mahomes didn’t seem to mind.

“It’s cool honestly,” Mahomes said.

“I was that guy, grew up watching players. I loved A-Rod, played SS, would try to make plays just like him. It helped me become the athlete I am. It’s just telling me I’m getting older.”

If Mahomes didn’t care, why should anyone else? As the season wore on, Raiola started to make a name for himself with his play on the field, rather than his resemblance to Mahomes

His play wasn’t anything earth-shattering or Mahomes-esque, far from it, but Raiola was able to keep his head above water.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - SEPTEMBER 7: Dylan Raiola #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers warms up before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Raiola will hope to make a big sophomore year leap
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The Nebraska quarterback models his game (and looks) after #15 in Kansas City
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He was thrown into the fire as a true freshman, starting all 13 games for the Cornhuskers, going 7-6 overall. He threw for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with a completion rate of 67.1 per cent.

The yards and completion rate were Nebraska freshman records.

Expectations are much higher going into Year 2. The Mahomes comparisons are starting to fade, but for Raiola, they never really bothered him.

At Big Ten media days in July, the Cornhusker quarterback gave his perspective on the whole thing.

“I’m not comparing myself to Kobe or anything, but like Kobe did to Mike, that’s kind of what it is for me to Patrick,” Raiola said.

“He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league right now, if not the best. Just for me to be able to have someone to look up to, talk, call, whatever…the comparisons are kind of everything outside.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - NOVEMBER 23: Dylan Raiola #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the sidelines against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Nebraska is a dark-horse to win the Big Ten this year
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“I can’t control that God made me look like this, play the same sport. It’s all love.”

Everyone in Lincoln will be hoping that Raiola’s game starts to resemble more of Mahomes’ actual game on the field, rather than what he looks like off of it.

The Cornhuskers head into the season with mild expectations, but many have pegged them as a potential dark-horse candidate to win the Big Ten.

If Raiola is able to lead Big Red to its first Big Ten championship in school history, then he’ll be as big as Mahomes is in Kansas City, in Lincoln.