Revisiting Patrick Mahomes’ college career: Inside his 13-19 record, stats and more with Texas Tech
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As one of the best players of his — or any – generation, it’s easy to envision Patrick Mahomes shining for a blue-chip program during his younger years.
Surely, it’s what his talent deserved, right? There’s no way the Kansas City Chiefs star, with his golden arm and flowing hair, could have avoided the spotlight. His style of play, marked by wisps of wizardry and chicanery, is ready-made for the college game’s most iconic colosseums: Death Valley, Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Big House or The Horseshoe.
And yet, Mahomes felt most at home … near his home. A modestly-recruited talent out of high school, Mahomes opted to attend a school located less than 500 miles from his Texas hometown.
Suffice to say, he made the right decision — even if his collegiate record doesn’t make that immediately clear.
With that, here’s a look back at Mahomes’ glimmering career at Texas Tech.
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Where did Patrick Mahomes go to college?
Patrick Mahomes attended Texas Tech, starring for the Red Raiders from 2014-2016.
Texas Tech didn’t achieve much in the form of winning across Mahomes’ three years on campus. But the Tyler, Texas native shined on an individual level, capturing the Sammy Baugh Trophy — awarded to the nation’s best passer — in 2016.
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Patrick Mahomes college years
Patrick Mahomes drew three-star billing while at Whitehouse High School, throwing for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns as a senior. Despite interest from other programs, including Oklahoma State, Mahomes landed at Texas Tech, citing his ability to play baseball in the offseason as reason to attend.
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He was named Davis Webb’s backup at the start of the season. By the end of the season, Mahomes was the team’s starter. He rewarded Kliff Kingsbury’s faith with four-touchdown outings against Oklahoma and Iowa State, followed by a 598-yard, six-touchdown display against Baylor in the Red Raiders’ final game of the season.
Mahomes’ freshman-year flourish was no fluke. As a sophomore, he recorded 350 yards or more in 10 games, eclipsing 400 yards in three of those contests. Mahomes led the Big 12 in completions (364), attempts (573), passing yards (4,653), passing touchdowns (36) and interceptions (15). The centerpiece of Kingsbury’s offense, Mahomes led the Red Raiders to a 7-6 record and a bowl game berth.
Ahead of his junior campaign, Mahomes announced his intention to drop baseball and focus fully on the gridiron. It was an inspired choice; Mahomes introduced himself to additional audiences with a 540-yard, five-touchdown outing in a 68-55 loss to Arizona State in Week 2.
That was the first of four 500-yard games Mahomes posted during the season. His numbers from some of his displays read like they were constructed in a fantasy novel. Check it out:
- Mahomes vs. Louisiana Tech (W, 59-45): 26-of-36 (72.2%), 470 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown
- Mahomes vs. Kansas State (L, 44-38): 45-of-62 (72.6%), 504 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns
- Mahomes vs. Baylor (W, 54-35): 30-of-46 (65.2%), 586 passing yards, six passing touchdowns
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Mahomes’ most historic showing came in a 66-59 loss to No. 16 Oklahoma. Facing the Sooners and their talented transfer (and former Red Raider) Baker Mayfield, Mahomes and Kingsbury pulled out all the stops. Mahomes recorded an NCAA record 734 passing yards and 819 yards of total offense. He fell one pass attempt short of the NCAA record, while. he and Mayfield combined for 1,708 passing yards between them — another record.
At season’s end, Mahomes led the country in yards per game (421), passing yards (5,052), total offense (5,312), points responsible for (318) and total touchdowns (53). Despite Texas Tech finishing the year 5-7, Mahomes was awarded the Sammy Baugh Trophy, becoming the fourth Red Raider to receive the honor (Kingsbury, Graham Harrell, B.J. Symons).
Following the conclusion of the season, Mahomes declared for the NFL Draft.
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Patrick Mahomes college stats
Here’s a look at the sterling numbers behind Mahomes’ glistening collegiate career.
YearGamesStartsPassing yardsPassing TDsRushing yardsRushing TDsInterceptions2014741,5471610404201513134,653364561015201612125,052412851210TOTAL322911,252938452229
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Patrick Mahomes record at Texas Tech
For all of Patrick Mahomes’ talent, the Red Raiders didn’t accomplish much of anything during his tenure. Kingsbury’s side finished with a record above .500 just one time with Mahomes steering the offense.
Here’s a closer look at their performances during Mahomes’ starts.
YearsRecord (Conference)20141-3 (1-3)20157-6 (4-5)20165-7 (3-6)Total13-16 (8-14)
Did Patrick Mahomes win a Heisman?
Patrick Mahomes was arguably the nation’s best passer across his three years in college. That wasn’t enough to land him a chance at college football’s most prestigious individual prize.
Mahomes never hoisted the Heisman Trophy during his time with a Red Raiders. His junior season numbers compared favorably to hurlers who competed for the prize, including Mayfield, Deshaun Watson and 2016 winner Lamar Jackson.
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Patrick Mahomes, 2016 Lamar Jackson, 2016Deshaun Watson, 2016Baker Mayfield, 201612GP1315135-7Record9-414-111-2157.0Rate148.8151.1196.4388-591Comp/Att254-430388-579254-35865.7Comp. Pct.56.267.070.95,052Pass Yds3,5434,5933,96541Pass TDs30414010INT9178260Rushing Yds1,57162917712Rushing Tds2196
Did Patrick Mahomes win a national championship?
As one could guess looking at Texas Tech’s record from 2014-16, Patrick Mahomes did not capture a national title while in Lubbock. The closest he got to the crown was in 2015, when the Red Raiders qualified for the Texas Bowl.
Texas Tech lost to LSU, 56-27. Still, Mahomes performed admirably, tallying 370 yards and four touchdowns in defeat.
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Patrick Mahomes college degree
Patrick Mahomes majored in marketing at Texas Tech. He was named a second-team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America as a junior. He also landed the Big 12’s Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year prize.
Despite his academic accolades, Mahomes doesn’t appear to have graduated from Texas Tech yet. He declared for the NFL Draft before his senior year.
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Did Patrick Mahomes meet Brittany Mahomes in college?
Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, dated throughout their respective collegiate careers. They didn’t meet in college, however.
Mahomes met his future wife, Brittany Matthews, during high school. They both attended Whitehouse High — Mahomes was the star of the football and baseball teams, while Matthews shined on the soccer field.
While Mahomes attended Texas Tech, Matthews settled at the University of Texas at Tyler, turning up for the school’s soccer team.
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