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In the fall of 2016, under the bright lights of Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, Patrick Mahomes II cemented his name into the rich legacy of Texas Tech quarterbacks. That year, the gunslinging signal-caller didn’t just lead the Red Raiders’ offense—he revived the spirit of a program historically known for aerial fireworks, high-scoring battles, and fearless quarterbacks.
By the time he declared for the NFL Draft, Mahomes had carved out a place alongside Texas Tech legends like Graham Harrell, Kliff Kingsbury, B.J. Symons, and Cody Hodges. But even then, few could have predicted just how far he would take the game of football—not just for himself, but for Texas Tech and the quarterback position as a whole.
The Air Raid Legacy
Texas Tech University has long been synonymous with quarterback excellence. Thanks to Mike Leach and the revolutionary “Air Raid” offense, the Red Raiders became a destination for quarterbacks looking to post video game-like numbers and challenge the boundaries of modern offense.
In the early 2000s, Kliff Kingsbury shattered school records and laid the foundation. Then came B.J. Symons in 2003, who threw for an astonishing 5,833 yards in a single season. After him, it was Graham Harrell’s turn. Harrell lit up the college football world from 2005–2008, famously connecting with Michael Crabtree to stun Texas in 2008 and etch his name into NCAA history.
This was the elite club that Patrick Mahomes walked into—and eventually surpassed.
The Arrival of Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes arrived at Texas Tech in 2014 as a relatively under-the-radar recruit. Born to Pat Mahomes Sr., a former Major League Baseball pitcher, Patrick was an all-around athlete. In fact, many thought he’d follow in his father’s footsteps into baseball. But the football field called louder.
Taking over as the starter midway through his freshman year, Mahomes immediately showed flashes of brilliance. By 2016, under head coach Kliff Kingsbury—himself a former Red Raider quarterback—Mahomes was the unquestioned leader of the team.
That year, Mahomes unleashed one of the most statistically absurd seasons in college football history.
The 2016 Season: Stats, Records, and Fireworks
In 2016, Mahomes led the nation in total offense. He finished the season with:
5,052 passing yards
41 touchdown passes
12 rushing touchdowns
5,337 total yards
But perhaps the most jaw-dropping performance came on October 22, 2016, in a game against Oklahoma. In a showdown that looked more like a Madden simulation than a real football game, Mahomes threw for 734 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for 85 yards and two more scores.
That’s 819 total yards of offense—an NCAA single-game record.
Although Texas Tech lost the game 66–59, Mahomes’ performance sent shockwaves through the football world. Scouts, fans, and analysts alike started whispering a new possibility: Could this fearless, cannon-armed quarterback actually thrive in the NFL?
Beyond the Box Score
Mahomes’ greatness in 2016 wasn’t just about numbers. It was about the style—the no-look passes, the cross-body throws, the backyard improvisation. Every play looked like it came from the mind of a jazz musician rather than a playbook. He was unorthodox, electric, and impossible to predict.
He turned broken plays into highlights, and routine drives into epic showcases of athleticism and creativity.
The swagger, the headband, the cannon of a right arm—it all made him a sensation. Mahomes didn’t just play football. He performed it.
The Decision to Go Pro
After the 2016 season, Mahomes made the difficult decision to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL Draft. At the time, some questioned whether an Air Raid quarterback could translate to the NFL. Many others had tried and failed. System QBs, they called them.
But Mahomes wasn’t just a product of the system—he was the system.
When the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to select him with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, it changed the course of the franchise and the NFL.
Mahomes’ NFL Explosion and Its Impact on Texas Tech
Fast forward to today: Patrick Mahomes is a two-time NFL MVP, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. He has redefined quarterback play at the highest level, bringing elements of the Air Raid to the NFL while carving out his own legacy.
And through it all, he’s never forgotten Texas Tech.
Whether it’s repping the Red Raiders during Super Bowl week or giving back to the university, Mahomes has kept his college roots close. He helped build a new football facility in Lubbock and often returns to the sidelines during the offseason. His presence alone has elevated Texas Tech’s visibility nationally.
Recruits now want to follow in his footsteps. Quarterbacks dream of putting on that scarlet and black uniform because Mahomes showed them what’s possible.
Joining the Elite—and Creating His Own Tier
Back in 2016, when Mahomes joined the elite club of Texas Tech quarterbacks, it was a big deal. But now, in hindsight, we realize he didn’t just join the club—he became its president.
Sure, the school has had legendary names before. But Mahomes has transcended the college game. He’s put Texas Tech on the map in a way no one else has.
There are many great Texas Tech quarterbacks. But there’s only one Patrick Mahomes.
The Legacy Continues
Today, the ripple effects of Mahomes’ 2016 season are still being felt. It shifted how the NFL evaluates quarterbacks. It raised expectations for Texas Tech’s QB play. And it gave fans one of the most exhilarating rides in the history of college football.
For Texas Tech alumni, every Sunday is now an unofficial “Mahomes Day.” Every touchdown pass he throws is a reminder of what began in Lubbock.
And it all started in 2016—the year a Texas Tech quarterback became more than a stat machine. He became a legend.
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“From Lubbock to Legend: How Patrick Mahomes Joined (and Redefined) Texas Tech’s Elite QB Legacy in 2016. #WreckEm #MahomesMagic #TexasTech”
