Key Departures: Patrick Mahomes
Key Additions: Jett Duffey (back from suspension), McLane Carter
Arguably the greatest question looming for Texas Tech in 2017 is how they will replace Patrick Mahomes, who declared early for the NFL draft and was taken 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes took over as the starter at the end of 2014 as a freshman out of Whitehouse High School, and excelled as the starter in 2015 and 2016.
Gordon DeLoach, TexasHSFootball.com
He finished his junior campaign 388 for 591 (65.7 percent) for 5,052 yards and 41 touchdowns, good enough to lead the FBS in total offense. Mahomes also set the all-time FBS single game marks for passing yards and total yards in a 66-59 loss to Oklahoma.
Taking over for Mahomes is fifth year senior Nic Shimonek. Originally from Corsicana, Shimonek committed to and attended Iowa out of high school before transferring to Texas Tech three years ago. He has patiently waited his turn to start, and has become a locker room leader respected for his work ethic by all accounts.
In limited action the past two seasons, Shimonek has career totals amounting to 39 of 60 for 482 yards and 6 touchdowns. A majority of that experience came when Mahomes went down with a shoulder injury and Shimonek played a majority of the second half against Kansas. Shimonek went 15 of 21 for 271 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Texas Tech QB Jett Duffey (Photo via 247 Sports)
Shimonek’s playing style will be a stark contrast to that of Mahomes. While Mahomes had scrambling ability and would extend plays with his feet, Shimonek appears to be the kind of signal caller who will stay in the pocket and get the ball out quickly.
Redshirt freshman Jett Duffey is presumed to become the backup quarterback. Duffey was suspended from Texas Tech for the spring and summer semesters, so he missed the entirety of offseason workouts. Still, among a relatively thin position group, Duffey’s talent should eventually make him the backup.
McLane Carter would be next in line, and he is also new to the program. Carter transferred from Tyler Junior College, where he played after one season at Incarnate Word. Now at his third collegiate stop, Carter went through spring practice and has improved according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Outlook: Questionable
It’s impossible to imagine a scenario in which the quarterback play exceeds that of Patrick Mahomes the past two seasons. The offense as a whole may be better if the offensive line and run game improve, but Mahomes is irreplaceable at the quarterback position. If Shimonek struggles early, a quarterback battle mid-season could serve as a distraction that hinders the offense’s performance even further.
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