Patrick Mahomes has become a household name in the NFL, dazzling fans with his incredible talent and leading the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in Super Bowls. His trophy cabinet includes the 2018 and 2022 NFL MVP awards and three Super Bowl rings, achievements attained before even reaching 30 years old. However, before he was lighting up NFL stadiums, Mahomes was setting college football records at Texas Tech University. Let’s delve into the college career of this phenomenal quarterback and discover the foundation of his success.
Patrick Mahomes: College Career Vitals
School: Texas Tech University
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230 pounds
Years Active: 2014-2016
To truly appreciate Mahomes’ college impact, examining his statistics is essential. The table below showcases his year-by-year performance as a Texas Tech Red Raider.
| Year | Games | Completions | Attempts | Comp. % | Yards | Y/A | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 105 | 185 | 56.8 | 1,547 | 8.4 | 16 | 4 | 151.2 |
| 2015 | 13 | 364 | 573 | 63.5 | 4,653 | 8.1 | 36 | 15 | 147.2 |
| 2016 | 12 | 388 | 591 | 65.7 | 5,052 | 8.5 | 41 | 10 | 157.0 |
| Career | 32 | 857 | 1,349 | 63.5 | 11,252 | 8.3 | 93 | 29 | 152.0 |
Texas Tech: The College Choice for Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes went to college at Texas Tech University. He decided to join the Red Raiders, located in Lubbock, Texas, after considering offers from other programs like Oklahoma State and Rice. While these were also reputable institutions, Texas Tech offered Mahomes a significant opportunity to shine in their pass-heavy offensive scheme. The Big 12 Conference, where Texas Tech competes, is known for high-scoring games and quarterback-friendly offenses, making it an ideal stage for a player with Mahomes’ skillset.
Choosing Texas Tech was a pivotal moment in Mahomes’ career trajectory. The Red Raiders, while not consistently a national powerhouse, had a history of producing prolific passers. Under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, known for his offensive acumen and quarterback development, Texas Tech was seen as a place where Mahomes could hone his raw talent and potentially become a star.
High School Prospect Profile: Was Patrick Mahomes a Highly-Rated Recruit?
While Patrick Mahomes is now considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in football, his high school recruiting profile was surprisingly modest. According to 247Sports, Mahomes was ranked as the No. 398 prospect in the 2014 recruiting class. Within that class, he was positioned as the No. 29 pro-style quarterback and the No. 82 player in the state of Texas.
These rankings indicate that Mahomes was not considered an elite, blue-chip recruit coming out of high school. He was a three-star prospect, suggesting solid potential but not the immediate superstar status projected onto five-star recruits. This “underdog” beginning to his college career adds another layer to his remarkable journey to NFL stardom. It underscores the importance of player development, coaching, and Mahomes’ own exceptional work ethic in surpassing initial expectations.
Patrick Mahomes in his Texas Tech Red Raiders college uniform during a football game, showcasing his throwing motion and athletic ability.
College Football Record at Texas Tech
During his time at Texas Tech, Patrick Mahomes led the Red Raiders to a 13-19 overall record. While the team’s win-loss record wasn’t stellar, it doesn’t fully reflect Mahomes’ individual brilliance and impact on the program. College football is a team sport, and quarterback wins are not always the definitive measure of a player’s performance, especially when considering the defensive side of the ball and overall team dynamics.
His most successful season in terms of team wins was in 2015 when Texas Tech achieved a 7-5 regular season record. However, even in seasons with fewer wins, Mahomes consistently put up record-breaking numbers and demonstrated his exceptional talent. His individual performances often overshadowed the team’s overall record, solidifying his status as a must-watch player and a rising star in college football.
Patrick Mahomes’ Standout College Games
Throughout his Texas Tech career, Patrick Mahomes delivered numerous memorable performances. Here are a few games that highlight his college brilliance:
Baylor vs. Texas Tech (November 25, 2016): In a high-scoring affair against Baylor, Mahomes had a breakout freshman season finale, throwing for an incredible 598 yards and six touchdowns. This single game accounted for 63% of his total passing yards from the previous six games, setting a Big 12 freshman record. Despite the loss, this game served as a powerful introduction to Mahomes’ potential.
Texas Tech vs. Iowa State (November 19, 2016): During his sophomore year, Mahomes consistently demonstrated his passing prowess. Against Iowa State, he completed 33 of 46 passes for 428 yards and five touchdowns, leading Texas Tech to a dominant victory. The Red Raiders amassed a school-record 776 total yards of offense in this game, with Mahomes leading the charge.
Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech (October 31, 2015): In another high-scoring Big 12 matchup, Mahomes showcased his resilience and arm talent against Oklahoma State. He threw for 480 yards and four touchdowns. This game, while a loss, was another example of his ability to put up huge numbers against strong opposition.
Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech (October 22, 2016): This game is legendary in college football lore. Mahomes set an FBS record by throwing for 734 yards against Oklahoma. In a duel with Baker Mayfield, the two quarterbacks combined for an NCAA record of 1,279 passing yards. Mahomes also broke the record for most plays in a game (100) and total yards gained (819). He accounted for seven touchdowns (five passing, two rushing) and even achieved a career-high 85 rushing yards. This game cemented his place in college football history, despite another narrow loss.
These games are just a snapshot of Mahomes’ consistent excellence at Texas Tech. His ability to perform at such a high level, even in defeat, is a testament to his exceptional talent and competitive spirit.
College Awards and Honors for Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes earned recognition for his outstanding play throughout his college career, including:
- 2016 Sammy Baugh Trophy Winner: Awarded annually to the nation’s top college passer.
- 2016 Second Team All-Big 12: Recognition from the conference for his performance in his junior season.
- 2015 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention: Honorable mention in his sophomore year.
- 2014 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention: Honorable mention in his freshman year.
- 2014 Big 12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year: Acknowledging his impressive debut season.
- Six-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week: Weekly recognition for outstanding performances.
These accolades highlight the consistent high level of play Mahomes maintained throughout his college career and the recognition he received from both national and conference bodies.
What People Said About Patrick Mahomes in College
Quotes from coaches, teammates, and analysts provide further insight into Mahomes’ college persona and potential:
Paul Myerberg (USA TODAY): Highlighted Mahomes’ unconventional development, noting, “In an era when personalized quarterback development has become commonplace, Mahomes never had a private coach and never attended the quarterback-only camps… He’s just a natural thrower.” This emphasizes his innate talent and less-structured path to becoming a top quarterback.
Kliff Kingsbury (Former Texas Tech Coach): Recognized Mahomes’ athletic ability and playmaking knack early on, stating, “Patrick is a tremendous athlete. He can extend plays and throw it downfield… he has a knack for making plays.” Kingsbury also acknowledged his raw talent, “There’s no guru; there’s no camps. He’s just a natural thrower.”
Kevin Lyttle (Austin American-Statesman): Pointed out the unexpected nature of Mahomes’ early starting role due to injuries, “In an ideal world, Mahomes… would have redshirted. Instead, he’s likely to be the man…” This highlights the rapid and perhaps unplanned ascent of Mahomes into the starting quarterback position.
Teammate Devin Lauderdale: Spoke to Mahomes’ leadership qualities even as a young player, “Patrick has been showing up and … has been stepping up as a leader even though he is young.”
Teammate DeAndre Washington: Described Mahomes’ unique style, “He’s far from a traditional quarterback. He’s his own guy.”
Offensive Coordinator Eric Morris: Remarked on Mahomes’ special talent and improvisational skills, “He’s pretty special. It’s fun to watch him create these plays and find people downfield. How accurate he throws the ball on the run is what’s really remarkable to me.”
These quotes collectively paint a picture of a naturally gifted, competitive, and unconventional player who quickly developed into a leader and playmaker at Texas Tech. They foreshadowed the exceptional career that would follow in the NFL.
In Conclusion
Patrick Mahomes’ college career at Texas Tech University was foundational to his ascent to NFL superstardom. While playing for the Red Raiders, he honed his unique skillset, broke records, and earned numerous accolades. Texas Tech provided the stage for Mahomes to develop his raw talent and showcase the extraordinary abilities that would later define his NFL career. Understanding his college journey provides valuable context to appreciate the making of one of football’s most exciting and accomplished quarterbacks.
