Patrick Mahomes declares for the NFL Draft

This morning Patrick Mahomes decided to leave Texas Tech for the NFL after his junior season.

Initially after there were thoughts that Mahomes would stay for his senior year with much of his supporting cast returning, but ultimately Mahomes decided it was best for his future if he left this year for the NFL.

In the upcoming draft, Mahomes will be one of the top QBs in the class with Deshone Kizer, Mitch Trubisky, and Deshaun Watson.

With the sometimes shaky offensive line play surrounding him this season, it’s hard to fault Mahomes for his concern over possible injuries. This past season Mahomes was sacked 27 times and sustained an injury to his shoulder against Kansas.

All these things add up to Mahomes wanting to protect his future and we have to respect his decision.

Next season the quarterback competition will likely be between red shirt freshman Jett Duffey and Nick Shimonek. Both are capable quarterbacks who know the system well.

Duffey was an under the radar talent out of high school with excellent dual threat capability. The freshman’s ability to improvise may be his greatest strength and we’ve seen what a mobile quarterback can do in Kliff Kingsbury’s system.

Shimonek took over when Mahomes was hurt last year and showed he can more than handle himself in this offense. He would fit as a more traditional Air Raid quarterback and doesn’t quite have the athleticism of Mahomes or Duffey.

This decision by Mahomes comes as a bit of a shock to some but ultimately it will likely end up being the right one.

Thank you Patrick for these fantastic past three years. We know this decision wasn’t one you made likely and we’ll support you til the end of time. Those unforgettable, incomparable plays won’t be forgotten, and neither will the way you represented this school.

It’s hard to see you go but we know you’ll always be a Red Raider. Make everyone eat those words who declared you a “system QB” with your guns up held high.