Patrick Mahomes II of Whitehouse has been a household name in Texas this past year, mostly for being the driving force behind a Texas Tech offensive juggernaut. Texas Tech’s lack of defense may hurt Mahomes in the wins column, but it certainly hasn’t hurt him in terms of national recognition: he’s your 2016 recipient of the Sammy Baugh award, given to the nation’s top passer.
If you’re wondering whether any other Red Raiders have won the award with their pass-happy scheme, you’d be correct. Graham Harrell won in 2007, B.J. Symons took home the trophy in 2003, and the current head coach of Texas Tech, Kliff Kingsbury, won in 2002.
The Red Raiders have had a up and down year. In the preseason many analysts had them pegged as a dark horse to win a very down Big 12. They got one part right, the Big 12 did have a very down year overall. The part they missed on was Texas Tech challenging for the conference championship. Texas Tech went 5-7, losing four games by one possession. That can’t be pinned on Mahomes though, the quarterback threw for 5,052 yards and 41 touchdowns in Kingsbury’s Air Raid attack.
Very soon, Mahomes will be facing a tough decision, as he can leave school early and declare for the NFL Draft. If he does, the next man up will be a former Mr. Texas Football award recipient, Mansfield Lake Ridge product Jett Duffey.
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um 5-7 bud
It has been updated. Honest mistake.