After counting down the greatest offensive stars from Texas high school football, we have arrived at #1 — and it’s none other than Patrick Mahomes, the sensational quarterback from Whitehouse, Texas.
Some might argue it’s still early to rank Mahomes above long-established legends. However, with three Super Bowl wins, three Super Bowl MVPs, two NFL MVPs, and a career that already ranks among the all-time greats, Mahomes isn’t just on track to be the best quarterback from Texas — he’s on pace to be one of the best to ever play the game.
If he’s not #1 on your list yet, he likely will be within a few short years.
Early Life and High School Career
Patrick Mahomes was born on September 17, 1995, in Tyler, Texas. Growing up the son of former MLB pitcher Pat Mahomes, Patrick showed athletic talent early. At Whitehouse High School, Mahomes starred in football, baseball, and basketball.
During his senior year, he threw for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns, adding another 948 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, showcasing the rare combination of arm strength, creativity, and mobility that would later define his NFL career.
Mahomes also demonstrated leadership skills and competitiveness that would foreshadow his future success. His multi-sport background helped shape the unique improvisational style he displays on NFL Sundays.
College Career at Texas Tech
Mahomes played three seasons at Texas Tech (2014–2016), lighting up defenses with staggering numbers. As a junior, he led the NCAA in passing yards (5,052) and total touchdowns (53), earning the prestigious Sammy Baugh Trophy.
In a legendary game against Oklahoma, Mahomes tied the FBS record with 734 passing yards and set the all-time record for 819 total yards.
His Texas Tech career cemented his reputation as a gunslinger, willing to take risks other quarterbacks wouldn’t dream of. That daring style scared some NFL scouts but ultimately became his greatest weapon.
NFL Rise with the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to select Mahomes 10th overall in 2017. After sitting his rookie year behind Alex Smith, Mahomes exploded onto the scene in 2018:
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5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns, 12 interceptions
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NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year
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Joined Peyton Manning as the only players with 5,000+ yards and 50+ TDs in a season.
Since then, Mahomes’s resume has only grown:
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3× Super Bowl Champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
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3× Super Bowl MVP (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
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2× NFL MVP (2018, 2022)
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NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2018)
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6× Pro Bowl selection (2018–2023)
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Fastest to 10,000, 25,000, and 30,000 career passing yards
He has led the Chiefs to five Super Bowl appearances in just seven seasons as a starter, winning three.
He owns the highest career passing yards per game average (288.9) in NFL history and has already passed 32,000 career yards with 245 touchdowns and just 74 interceptions by age 29.
Off the field, Mahomes has also become a major influence. He co-owns multiple Kansas City sports teams, supports major charity initiatives, and is recognized globally for his leadership and character.
Legacy Still in Progress
While Tom Brady is widely considered the greatest quarterback of all time, Mahomes has a real chance to challenge that legacy. His postseason record (17-4), three Super Bowl MVPs, and elite production at a young age put him in rarified air.
No quarterback has achieved more this quickly.
Many experts believe that if Mahomes maintains his current pace for another five to six seasons, he will surpass nearly every major statistical and postseason benchmark — including those set by Brady.
Even today, Mahomes is regarded as the NFL’s most creative, exciting, and dangerous weapon.
Mahomes isn’t just a generational talent; he’s redefining how the quarterback position is played and showing no signs of slowing down.
Quick Recap of the Top 10
Here’s how the rest of our Top 10 All-Time Best NFL Offensive Players from Texas High School Football shaped up:
2. Drew Brees (Austin Westlake) — The NFL’s all-time leader in completion percentage and a former record-holder for passing yards and touchdowns.
3 (tie). Eric Dickerson (Sealy) — A Hall of Fame running back and holder of the NFL’s single-season rushing record.
3 (tie). Adrian Peterson (Palestine) — One of the most dominant runners of his generation, rushing for nearly 15,000 career yards.
4. LaDainian Tomlinson (University High, Waco) — A Hall of Famer and one of the most complete running backs the game has ever seen.
5. Sammy Baugh (Sweetwater) — One of the NFL’s first true superstar quarterbacks, known for revolutionizing the passing game.
6. Y.A. Tittle (Marshall) — A gritty, prolific quarterback who was a seven-time Pro Bowler and NFL MVP.
7. Bobby Layne (Highland Park) — A legendary competitor and four-time NFL champion known for his toughness and leadership.
8. Raymond Berry (Paris) — Hall of Fame receiver and Johnny Unitas’s most trusted target during the Colts’ 1950s dynasty.
9. Earl Campbell (Tyler John Tyler) — “The Tyler Rose,” a Heisman winner who terrorized NFL defenses with his bruising running style.
10. Mike Evans (Galveston Ball) — A modern great, Evans has consistently dominated, setting an NFL record with ten consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
