Patrick Mahomes flattered by Dylan Raiola's imitation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If indeed Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola is patterning his looks and mannerisms off those of Patrick Mahomes , Mahomes himself is here for it.

He was once one of those imitating others.

"It's cool, honestly,'' Mahomes said of Raiola's imitation. "I was that guy. I grew up watching players. I remember when I would grow up, I loved Alex Rodriguez playing shortstop and I tried to make plays just like him and do stuff like that, and it helped me become the athlete that I am.

"I know Dylan, I trained with him in the offseason. Great kid, a great football player, and I think he's going to make his own stamp on the game. And I think you've seen that early in his career.''

Raiola's haircut and sunglasses have given him a similar look to Mahomes. He wears No. 15, the same as Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs . Even in warmups, Raiola has made some of the same moves as Mahomes.

That part is just fine with the three-time Super Bowl champion. But he sees Raiola and other young quarterbacks who try to perform some of his signature throws like sidearm and no-look ones and is reminded that with his 29th birthday coming up next week, he's no longer a kid himself.

"It's just telling me I'm getting a little old,'' he said.