There is no bigger star to come out of Texas Tech than quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The former Texas Tech quarterback went on to be drafted in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2017 after a stunning career with the Red Raiders.
After his time at Texas Tech, Mahomes sat out his first year in the NFL and learned from veteran Alex Smith, who just so happened to be the guest picker last week on College GameDay. Once named the starter in Kansas City, the Chiefs have yet to end their season before the AFC Championship game, have made it to five Super Bowls, winning three of them, and Mahomes has two MVP awards.
With the Chiefs on bye this week, it was written in the stars that Mahomes would come home to Lubbock and be the guest picker for College GameDay as the Red Raiders take on the BYU Cougars in a game for the lead in the Big 12.
Come on now, you know @PatrickMahomes had to come back to Lubbock to be this weekend's guest picker 🔥 pic.twitter.com/p9kCTiaAYR
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 7, 2025
In Mahomes' career, everyone talks about the importance of him sitting behind Smith that first season and learning, and now he has gotten to do it again as Smith may share some of the things he learned on GameDay last week.
Mahomes truly is one of the best, if not the best, athletes to ever come out of Texas Tech. In three seasons with the Red Raiders, Mahomes threw for 11,252 yards and 93 touchdowns. His best season was his final one in Lubbock, when he finished with 5,052 passing yards and 41 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions.
Mahomes has been an active member with Texas Tech, even being the main apparel sponsor for the Red Raiders, gifting teams with gear throughout their seasons. Mahomes was actively seen at the Women's College World Series for softball last season when the Red Raiders were taking on the Texas Longhorns.
Whenever he isn't in season or on the bye week, Mahomes makes sure to show his support for the Red Raiders. A few years ago, Mahomes was even inducted into the Ring of Honor at Jones AT&T Stadium.
There is no better person to come and be the guest picker in Lubbock as the Red Raiders play their biggest game of the season.