Patrick Mahomes is just 28 years old, yet is considered by some to be the greatest quarterback of all. But even when drafted, few predicted he’d be even close to as effective as he’s been in the NFL. Still, the flashes were there, as Mahomes had some epic college games. How did he get to the Kansas City Chiefs, and what were Mahomes’ college stats?
Patrick Mahomes’ College Stats From Texas Tech
A dual-threat quarterback from Whitehouse High School in Whitehouse, Texas, Mahomes flew under the radar as a recruit. Despite a standout three-sport high school career, Mahomes was lightly recruited. As a high school senior, the future Super Bowl champion put up over 5,500 total yards and 65 touchdowns.
Mahomes was also a standout on the baseball diamond, throwing a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts as a senior (he then came a triple short of the cycle in the next game of a double header).
As a result, he was drafted in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft but opted to enroll at Texas Tech instead, choosing the Red Raiders over offers from Oklahoma State and Rice. The talented multi-sport star played both baseball and football as a freshman in Lubbock.
After going 0-2 as a hitter and giving up three runs without recording an out — good for an infinite ERA — as a freshman, Mahomes decided to focus on football full-time. In hindsight, it was an excellent decision.
As a freshman on the gridiron, Mahomes appeared in seven games behind starter Davis Webb, putting up a 16:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 1,651 total yards.
He assumed the full-time starter role in 2015, throwing for 4,653 yards and 36 touchdowns, finishing fourth in passing yards nationally but also throwing the third-most interceptions in the country.
That year, he added 10 scores on the ground and rushed for 456 yards. His junior year, however, would be the one that made him a college football folk hero.
In 2016, Mahomes threw for 5,052 yards, then the 12th most single-season yards of all time. He added 53 total touchdowns and cut down on his interceptions, throwing 10 all season.
He was also responsible for the greatest game ever played by a quarterback in college football history.
On October 22, Mahomes and his Red Raiders hosted Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners in what is considered the greatest quarterback duel in the history of the sport.
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That night, Mahomes set the record for most pass attempts in a game (88) and threw for 734 yards and five touchdowns. He added 85 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, setting an NCAA record with 819 total yards. While Mayfield and Oklahoma outlasted the Red Raiders, that game thrust Mahomes into the national spotlight.
The kicker? Mahomes played that game with a separated shoulder and broken wrist.
From Lubbock to Kansas City: Mahomes’ Journey to Superstardom
Most draft experts viewed Mahomes as a risky pick due to the system and his recklessness as a college quarterback. Draft expert Todd McShay summed it up well in early March of 2017.
“It looks like a lot of backyard football where he’s at his best extending plays and creating chaos and finding guys open,” McShay said. “He’s got a big arm. He’s a good athlete. He’s got some ‘gamer’ to him, but his mechanics need a lot of refining.
“He comes from a system that’s never produced a quarterback who’s had sustained success in the (NFL). I think he’s a big project, but there are definitely tools there to develop.”
Accordingly, some (myself included) were surprised Mahomes went 10th overall, especially to a team in the Chiefs who had an established starter at quarterback.
Mahomes sat as a rookie behind Alex Smith, starting only the season finale at Denver. His performance was enough to convince Andy Reid that he could be a starter and the rest is history.
In his first year as a full-time starter in 2018, Mahomes threw a league-high 50 touchdowns and ran away with the MVP award.
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In six years as a starter, Mahomes has notched up six Pro Bowl selections, two MVPs, 28,242 yards, and 212 touchdowns. He easily became the fastest player to reach 25,000 yards and became the fastest player to reach 200 passing touchdowns in October.
Mahomes wasn’t viewed as a “can’t miss” prospect, but it was clear as soon as he stepped on an NFL field that he would be special. Just 28, he has a long career ahead of him.
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