Patrick Mahomes’ Path to NFL Stardom

Patrick Mahomes has quickly become one of the most exciting and electric players in the NFL. In just a few short seasons, he has shattered records, led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory, and established himself as the face of the franchise. However, Mahomes’ journey to NFL stardom began long before he was drafted or made his professional debut. His path was paved by hard work, natural talent, and key achievements along the way.

Mahomes was born in 1995 in Tyler, Texas and grew up with football in his blood. His father Pat Mahomes played in the major leagues as a pitcher for 11 seasons and passed on his athletic genes to his son. From a young age, it was clear that Patrick had a special talent and work ethic for the game of football. He attended Whitehouse High School in Whitehouse, Texas where he started for three years at quarterback.

In his junior year of high school in 2012, Mahomes began to turn heads with his arm strength and playmaking ability. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 34 touchdowns that season, leading Whitehouse to a playoff berth. College recruiters took notice of his 6’3 frame and cannon for an arm. Offers began pouring in from major programs across the country. However, his breakout came the following year as a senior in 2013.

That season, Mahomes elevated his game even further. He threw for an incredible 5,200 yards and 50 touchdowns, breaking numerous state records in the process. With his dazzling play under center, Mahomes guided Whitehouse to a 13-1 record and the Texas Class 4A Division II state championship, the first in school history. His MVP performance in the state title game solidified him as one of the top quarterback recruits in the nation.

At just 18 years old, Mahomes had achieved the dream of every high school athlete – winning a state championship. His record-setting senior campaign was undoubtedly the biggest achievement of his young career up to that point. College coaches were now clamoring to land the gunslinging quarterback’s commitment. Programs like Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and TCU all hoped to convince Mahomes to continue his career in the Big 12 conference.

In the end, Mahomes chose to stay close to home and accepted a scholarship offer from Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were getting one of the most coveted recruits in the nation and a player poised to make an immediate impact. As a true freshman in 2014, Mahomes did just that. He saw action in eight games, making two starts in place of an injured Baker Mayfield. In those appearances, Mahomes flashed the playmaking ability that would define his career.

He threw for 897 yards, 8 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions while completing over 60% of his passes. Mahomes also added 129 rushing yards and 2 more scores with his legs. His dual-threat talents were on full display and foreshadowed great things to come. After a promising debut season, expectations were sky high for Mahomes as the new starter in 2015.

As a sophomore, Mahomes seized control of the Texas Tech offense and put on a show that would earn him national recognition. He started all 13 games and proceeded to rack up eye-popping stats that shattered school and conference records. Mahomes threw for an FBS-leading 5,052 yards along with 53 touchdowns through the air. He added 8 more scores on the ground for a total of 61 touchdowns responsible for, breaking the single season FBS record.

Mahomes led the nation in both total yards and total touchdowns. For his record-setting campaign, he was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American. At just 20 years old, Mahomes had cemented his place among the elite quarterbacks in all of college football. Scouts were left in awe of his combination of arm talent, athleticism, and production in Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense.

After two spectacular seasons with the Red Raiders, Mahomes decided to forego his final two years of college eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft. It was a risky decision considering he only had one full season as a starter under his belt. However, Mahomes’ confidence in his abilities and desire to provide for his family ultimately led him to take the leap to the professional level. He hired an agent and spent the pre-draft process further refining his mechanics and showcasing his skills.

On draft night, Mahomes waited anxiously as pick after pick went by without his name being called. Teams were leery of selecting a quarterback with just one year of top-level experience. However, the Kansas City Chiefs saw something special in Mahomes and traded up to select him 10th overall, believing he could be the future of the franchise. It was a bold move for a player with such a limited college resume, but one that would pay massive dividends.

As a rookie in 2017, Mahomes spent the season learning behind veteran Alex Smith while seeing limited action in mop-up duty. He took the time to study the NFL game and continue developing his craft. The following year, Mahomes was finally given the starting job after Smith was traded to Washington. In his first season as the man under center in Kansas City, Mahomes exploded onto the scene in 2018.

He started 15 games and proceeded to rewrite the Chiefs’ record books. Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, joining Peyton Manning as the only QBs to surpass 5,000 yards and 50 scores in a single season. His MVP caliber campaign led Kansas City to the AFC Championship game in his first season as a starter. At just 23 years old, Mahomes had established himself as the new face of the franchise and one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league.

The incredible success continued into the 2019 season as Mahomes led the Chiefs to an AFC-best 12-4 record. In the playoffs, he engineered three comeback victories including a 31-20 win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP, becoming the youngest quarterback ever to win the award at 24. He had reached the pinnacle of his profession in just his third NFL season, validating the Chiefs’ bold decision to draft him.

Since bursting onto the scene, Mahomes has continued shattering records and cementing his status as the standard at the quarterback position. He signed a 10-year extension worth up to $503 million in 2020, making him the highest paid player in NFL history. Off the field, Mahomes has also found success as a savvy businessman and philanthropist. He looks to leave a lasting legacy both on and off the gridiron.

Now at 27 years old, Mahomes is a Super Bowl champion, NFL MVP, and three-time Pro Bowler. He has the Chiefs positioned as perennial contenders and remains the model of consistency, production, and big play ability. Mahomes’ incredible journey began with high school success, record-breaking college performances, and the bold leap of faith to enter the draft early. Those achievements paved the way for NFL stardom and cement his place among the all-time greats. His story is a testament to chasing dreams, seizing opportunities, and maximizing natural talent through relentless work ethic. Mahomes’ path to greatness is still being written.