Patrick Mahomes is one of the most exciting quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. He won the MVP award in 2018 and 2022 and has already secured three Super Bowl titles, all before turning 30. But before he became a superstar, Mahomes was making headlines at Texas Tech University, putting up huge numbers and breaking records.
Let’s take a look at his college career and early years, which made him the superstar he is today.
Mahomes played at Texas Tech from 2014 to 2016, choosing the Red Raiders over schools like Oklahoma State and Rice. In his three seasons, he played 32 games and put up incredible stats. He completed 857 of 1,349 passes (63.5%) for 11,252 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt. He threw 93 touchdown passes with 29 interceptions, finishing his college career with a 152.0 quarterback rating.
His best season came in 2016 when he led the entire country in total offense with 5,312 yards. That year, he threw for 5,052 yards and 41 touchdowns, completing 388 passes. His dominant performance earned him the Sammy Baugh Trophy, an award given to the best passer in college football. Despite his individual success, Texas Tech had a tough time as a team, going 13-19 during his time there. One of his most memorable games came in 2016 against Oklahoma, where he set an FBS record with 734 passing yards and 819 total yards in a single game.
Before Texas Tech, Mahomes was a star at Whitehouse High School in Texas. As a senior, he threw for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns while also running for 948 yards and 15 touchdowns. He led his team to a 12-1 record and their first-ever district championship. His outstanding play earned him several honors, including Texas Associated Press Sports Editors High School Football Player of the Year and Associated Press Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year.
Before Texas Tech, Mahomes was a star at Whitehouse High School in Texas. As a senior, he threw for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns while also running for 948 yards and 15 touchdowns. He led his team to a 12-1 record and their first-ever district championship. His outstanding play earned him several honors, including Texas Associated Press Sports Editors High School Football Player of the Year and Associated Press Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year.
Mahomes was considered a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 29 pro-style quarterback in the 2014 class by 247Sports. But football wasn’t his only sport, he was also exceptional in baseball and basketball. In fact, the Detroit Tigers selected him in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, but he chose to focus on football instead. His background in multiple sports helped shape his incredible arm strength and athletic ability. It also didn’t hurt that his father, Pat Mahomes, was a former MLB pitcher.
Mahomes’ ability to make plays on the move and throw...