Dylan Raiola: Texas Tech, High School, Brother, Oregon, Mahomes

Dylan Raiola is one of the most recognizable young quarterbacks in college football. The former five-star recruit began his college career at Nebraska before transferring to Oregon in 2026. His name is also frequently connected with Texas Tech because of his resemblance and playing-style comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, who became a star at Texas Tech.

Raiola’s football journey has included several high schools, a major recruiting battle, two college programs and a famous NFL quarterback comparison. Here is a closer look at Dylan Raiola’s Texas Tech connection, high school career, brother, Oregon move and Patrick Mahomes comparison.

Dylan Raiola and Texas Tech

Dylan Raiola did not play college football at Texas Tech. His connection to the Red Raiders is mainly through Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes played quarterback at Texas Tech from 2014 through 2016 before becoming the Kansas City Chiefs’ franchise quarterback. Texas Tech later inducted Mahomes into its Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame.

Raiola has often been compared with Mahomes because of his arm talent, movement outside the pocket and ability to make throws from unconventional positions. The comparison became especially popular during Raiola’s time at Nebraska.

Raiola also wears No. 15, the same jersey number associated with Mahomes in the NFL. Sporting News reported that Raiola’s resemblance to Mahomes and his on-field mannerisms contributed to the nickname “Baby Mahomes.”

However, Raiola and Mahomes are not related. Their connection is based on the football comparison and their friendship, rather than a family relationship.

Dylan Raiola High School Career

Raiola had an unusual high school career because he played at several schools in different states.

He started his high school career at Burleson High School in Texas. During his sophomore season, he threw for 3,341 yards and 32 touchdowns while also rushing for nine touchdowns, according to Nebraska’s official biography.

Raiola then moved to Chandler High School in Arizona for his junior season. He passed for 2,435 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 64% of his attempts.

Before his senior season, Raiola transferred to Buford High School in Georgia. He helped Buford finish 11-2 and reached the state playoffs. Raiola completed 63% of his passes for 2,666 yards, 34 touchdowns and only one interception as a senior.

His overall high school résumé made him one of the biggest quarterback recruits in the 2024 class. Nebraska says 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals all rated him as the nation’s top quarterback prospect, while 247Sports and Rivals ranked him No. 2 overall in the class.

Dylan Raiola High School Stats

The different stops helped Raiola gain experience in multiple offensive systems. His high school journey also put him under the spotlight well before he arrived at Nebraska.

Dylan Raiola and Oregon

Raiola is now with the Oregon Ducks after transferring from Nebraska.

The University of Oregon lists Raiola on its 2026 roster as a junior quarterback. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, with Buford High School as his prep school and Nebraska as his previous college.

Raiola entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Nebraska and announced his move to Oregon in January 2026. Reuters reported that he had started 22 games for Nebraska, passing for 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns during his two seasons.

His 2025 season ended early because of a broken right fibula. Despite the injury, the move to Oregon gave him a new opportunity to continue his college career.

At Nebraska, Raiola showed why he had been such a highly regarded recruit. As a freshman in 2024, he started all 13 games and threw for 2,819 yards and 13 touchdowns. He completed more than 67% of his passes.

In 2025, he started nine games before his season-ending injury. He completed 181 of 250 attempts for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns, finishing with a 72.4% completion rate.

Who Is Dylan Raiola’s Brother?

Dylan Raiola’s younger brother is Dayton Raiola, another quarterback who has followed a similar football path.

Dayton played at Buford High School in Georgia and originally committed to Nebraska. He later reopened his recruitment before choosing Oregon in February 2026.

Oregon’s official roster lists Dayton as a freshman tight end in 2026. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 244 pounds. As a high school senior, he completed 146 of 236 passes for 2,208 yards, 26 touchdowns and four interceptions.

The brothers therefore became teammates at Oregon, adding another chapter to the Raiola family’s connection with major college football.

Dylan Raiola’s Father Dominic Raiola

Dylan comes from a football family.

His father, Dominic Raiola, was a standout center at Nebraska from 1997 through 2000. Dominic later spent 14 seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. Nebraska retired his No. 54 jersey.

Dominic’s Nebraska background was one reason Dylan’s recruitment to the Cornhuskers attracted so much attention. Dylan also has an uncle, Donovan Raiola, who has coached offensive line and previously worked at Nebraska.

The family connection to Nebraska was significant during Dylan’s recruitment and his first two college seasons.

Is Dylan Raiola Related to Patrick Mahomes?

No. Dylan Raiola and Patrick Mahomes are not related.

The two quarterbacks have been linked because of their playing styles, appearance and mannerisms. Raiola has embraced some of the comparisons, which helped create the “Baby Mahomes” nickname.

Mahomes’ Texas Tech career is another reason the comparison is frequently mentioned. He became one of the most productive quarterbacks in Red Raiders history before entering the NFL Draft. Texas Tech credits Mahomes with 11,252 passing yards and 12,097 total yards during his college career.

The comparison should not be confused with a family relationship. Raiola has his own football background, including his father Dominic’s Nebraska and NFL career.

Dylan Raiola’s College Journey

Raiola’s college recruitment was one of the biggest stories in the 2024 recruiting class.

He initially committed to Ohio State before reopening his recruitment. He later committed to Georgia and ultimately flipped to Nebraska in December 2023.

Nebraska became his first college destination, where he immediately took over as the starting quarterback as a true freshman.

After two seasons, Raiola transferred to Oregon. His move gave him a fresh start and placed him alongside his younger brother Dayton.

That journey—from Texas high school football to Arizona, Georgia, Nebraska and eventually Oregon—has made Raiola one of the more closely followed young quarterbacks in college football.

Dylan Raiola FAQs

Did Dylan Raiola play for Texas Tech?

No. Dylan Raiola did not play for Texas Tech. His Texas Tech connection comes primarily from comparisons with former Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

What high school did Dylan Raiola attend?

Raiola attended Burleson High School in Texas, Chandler High School in Arizona and Buford High School in Georgia. He finished his high school career at Buford.

Who is Dylan Raiola’s brother?

Dylan’s younger brother is Dayton Raiola. Dayton joined Oregon for the 2026 season after previously being committed to Nebraska.

Does Dylan Raiola play for Oregon?

Yes. Raiola transferred from Nebraska to Oregon in 2026 and is listed as a junior quarterback on Oregon’s 2026 roster.

Is Dylan Raiola related to Patrick Mahomes?

No. Raiola and Mahomes are not biologically related. Raiola has been compared with Mahomes because of similarities in their quarterback styles and mannerisms.

Why is Dylan Raiola called Baby Mahomes?

The nickname comes from comparisons between Raiola and Patrick Mahomes. Raiola’s No. 15 jersey, throwing style, movement and mannerisms have all contributed to the comparison.

Conclusion

Dylan Raiola’s story extends well beyond his famous Patrick Mahomes comparison. He developed into a five-star quarterback after playing high school football in Texas, Arizona and Georgia, then began his college career at Nebraska before transferring to Oregon.

His younger brother Dayton is also now at Oregon, while their father Dominic remains an important part of the family’s football history. Although Dylan is sometimes associated with Texas Tech because of the Mahomes comparisons, he never played for the Red Raiders.

As Raiola continues his career at Oregon, his combination of recruiting pedigree, college experience and family football background will keep him among the quarterbacks attracting significant attention.