Texas Tech University Athletics
Mahomes Declares for 2017 NFL Draft
January 03, 2017 | Football
Texas Tech junior led the country with 5,052 passing yards and 53 total touchdowns this season
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, one of the nation's most dynamic signal callers the past two seasons, announced his intentions Tuesday to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Mahomes, who led the country this past season with 5,052 passing yards, 53 total touchdowns and 5,337 yards of total offense, will look to be the first Red Raider quarterback to hear his name called in the NFL Draft since 2004 when B.J. Symons was selected in the seventh round.
"I would like to thank Texas Tech University for driving me to become a 'Fearless Champion' athletically as well as academically," Mahomes said. "I'd also like to thank our fans for the continued support through the good and bad times. This fanbase has always been there and that is why I love this university so much.
"After receiving feedback from the NFL as well as talking with my family and Coach Kingsbury, we believe this is the best decision for my family and me. With my love for Texas Tech and my excitement about the program's future, it was not an easy decision. I plan on staying close to the program and being a Red Raider for life."
The 2016 Sammy Baugh Award winner ends his Red Raider career as a prominent name in the Tech record book as his 11,252 career passing yards and 12,097 career yards of total offense both rank third historically behind only Graham Harrell (2005-08) and his head coach Kliff Kingsbury (1999-02).
In addition, Mahomes was responsible for 115 touchdowns over his 29 career starts which ranks second all-time in program history. He torched opposing defenses with 93 touchdowns through the air – third-most in Tech history – while also finding the endzone 22 times on the ground, which ranks second overall among Tech quarterbacks.
"Our staff is excited for Patrick's future in the NFL," Kingsbury said. "He is a tremendous talent and the sky is the limit for him moving forward. We wish him nothing but the best."
Mahomes made his debut leading the Tech offense midway through his 2014 true freshman campaign where he threw for 1,547 yards and 16 touchdowns over just seven games. He ended that year with a Big 12 freshman record 598 passing yards in the season finale against Baylor, setting the stage for Mahomes to earn the full-time starting job entering 2015.
The Whitehouse, Texas native turned in a stellar sophomore campaign, leading the Red Raiders to an appearance in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl all while becoming the youngest quarterback in NCAA FBS history to record 5,000 yards of total offense in a season. Mahomes ended the 2015 season with 4,653 passing yards and 42 touchdowns through the air while also rushing for 456 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Mahomes put together another solid performance leading the high-octane Red Raider offense this past year as he will likely end the 2016 season as the nation's leader in passing yards, total offense and total touchdowns. Mahomes completed his collegiate career as only the third FBS quarterback to reach 5,000 yards of total offense twice in a career.
The 2017 NFL Draft is set for April 27-29 in Philadelphia. The three-day event will air live nationally on ESPN and NFL Network.
Mahomes, who led the country this past season with 5,052 passing yards, 53 total touchdowns and 5,337 yards of total offense, will look to be the first Red Raider quarterback to hear his name called in the NFL Draft since 2004 when B.J. Symons was selected in the seventh round.
"I would like to thank Texas Tech University for driving me to become a 'Fearless Champion' athletically as well as academically," Mahomes said. "I'd also like to thank our fans for the continued support through the good and bad times. This fanbase has always been there and that is why I love this university so much.
"After receiving feedback from the NFL as well as talking with my family and Coach Kingsbury, we believe this is the best decision for my family and me. With my love for Texas Tech and my excitement about the program's future, it was not an easy decision. I plan on staying close to the program and being a Red Raider for life."
The 2016 Sammy Baugh Award winner ends his Red Raider career as a prominent name in the Tech record book as his 11,252 career passing yards and 12,097 career yards of total offense both rank third historically behind only Graham Harrell (2005-08) and his head coach Kliff Kingsbury (1999-02).
In addition, Mahomes was responsible for 115 touchdowns over his 29 career starts which ranks second all-time in program history. He torched opposing defenses with 93 touchdowns through the air – third-most in Tech history – while also finding the endzone 22 times on the ground, which ranks second overall among Tech quarterbacks.
"Our staff is excited for Patrick's future in the NFL," Kingsbury said. "He is a tremendous talent and the sky is the limit for him moving forward. We wish him nothing but the best."
Mahomes made his debut leading the Tech offense midway through his 2014 true freshman campaign where he threw for 1,547 yards and 16 touchdowns over just seven games. He ended that year with a Big 12 freshman record 598 passing yards in the season finale against Baylor, setting the stage for Mahomes to earn the full-time starting job entering 2015.
The Whitehouse, Texas native turned in a stellar sophomore campaign, leading the Red Raiders to an appearance in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl all while becoming the youngest quarterback in NCAA FBS history to record 5,000 yards of total offense in a season. Mahomes ended the 2015 season with 4,653 passing yards and 42 touchdowns through the air while also rushing for 456 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Mahomes put together another solid performance leading the high-octane Red Raider offense this past year as he will likely end the 2016 season as the nation's leader in passing yards, total offense and total touchdowns. Mahomes completed his collegiate career as only the third FBS quarterback to reach 5,000 yards of total offense twice in a career.
The 2017 NFL Draft is set for April 27-29 in Philadelphia. The three-day event will air live nationally on ESPN and NFL Network.
#ThankYouPat pic.twitter.com/3wjm87juy3
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 3, 2017
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