Most 20-year old college students are faced with tough decisions concerning their future and which career path they want to follow. It was no different for Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, what was different was the question most would love to have… which sport to play, football or baseball?
Mahomes, the son of former major league pitcher Pat Mahomes, made his choice. He decided to give up the “national pastime” for “America’s Game”. The decision allowed him to go all in on preparing for the 2016 college football season.
“I got to really focus on competing in the weight room and getting stronger,” said Mahomes. “I got up to 230 at one point. I’ve lost some weight to 225, which is where I want to be at during the season and that’s where I can be fast and strong and be able to take some hits.”
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The junior was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round in the 2014 MLB draft, but chose to attend Texas Tech instead. Mahomes confirmed to NBC 5’s Pat Doney that while in high school at Whitehouse, he outdueled Red Sox phenom pitching prospect Michael Kopech, who attended Mount Pleasant, in a head-to-head matchup. Kopech fastball was recently clocked at 105 mph during a minor league outing.
But playing in head coach Kliff Kingbury’s offense in Lubbock was too good to pass up. Needless to say, Kingsbury is happy that Mahomes is sticking with football.
“It's huge. When you are in the third year of the same system it goes a long way and he has complete control out there, Kingsbury said during Monday’s Big 12 Media Day. “I think the first two years he did it a lot on athleticism and natural talent and I really saw him take strides as being a great quarterback. If what I saw this spring translates to the field this fall then he will have a very special year.”
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Kingsbury worked with Case Keenum and Johnny Manziel during his time at Houston and Texas A&M. Both quarterbacks went on to play in the NFL. Mahomes is looking to follow that trend.
Maybe hanging up the glove and grabbing the helmet won’t be such a bad idea after all.
