Dylan Raiola plans to work with Patrick Mahomes following spring football

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola will have a unique opportunity to learn from one of the game’s best this offseason. The five-star freshman revealed following the Cornhuskers’ spring game Saturday that he will spend some time in Kansas City, where he plans to work out with Chiefs quarterback and three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes.

Raiola told reporters that he plans to finish up his first semester on campus, then get right back to work on the field with trainer Bobby Stroupe. Mahomes, who is one of Stroupe’s clients, will also be there to work alongside the young QB.

“Time off might be a day or two,” Raiola said. “I’ve got to finish up school, obviously and then I’ll probably head to Kansas City to go work with Pat and Bobby. Just trying to elevate my game, be around great people and also rest the body when the time is needed.”

Stroupe has worked with Mahomes ever since the quarterback was in fourth grade. He is the founder of the Athlete Performance Enhancement Center (APEC), where the pair began working together in Tyler, Texas.

Stroupe also works with Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin and more than 30 MLB players such as Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story and Royals pitcher Michael Wacha. Now it appears he is adding Raiola to the list.

“Bobby has a lot of things that he does,” Raiola told the Omaha World Herald. “I think the best thing he focuses on is flexibility in uncomfortable positions. Being strong…trying to stay loose, stay flexible, avoiding hits. And when you’re taking hits, you become durable.”

Raiola is considered to have a chance to start in his true freshman season after flipping his commitment from Georgia this offseason. He showed off his skills in the spring game to finish 16-of-22 passing for 239 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Nebraska also brings back Heinrich Haarberg, who started eight games in 2023. He finished 8-of-13 passing for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns and will be the main competition for Raiola heading into the fall.

Dylan Raiola ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. It’s certainly never easy to earn the starting job in your first season of college, but his talent will at least give him a chance.

A lot of that will depend on the strides he makes this offseason, and working with Patrick Mahomes certainly can’t hurt.