Tuberville Snubbed Mahomes
The Recruit Who Got Away
Before Patrick Mahomes became a household name and one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in NFL history, he was just another high school prospect looking for an opportunity. The Texas native had a strong arm, impressive athleticism, and the kind of raw potential that could translate into something special. Apparently, former Texas Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville didn’t see it. In one of the most infamous recruiting misses in modern college football, Tuberville passed on Mahomes when the young quarterback visited Texas Tech. The reason? He quite literally didn’t have the time.
The Exit Door Over Mahomes
According to Mahomes, his visit to Texas Tech wasn’t exactly what you’d expect for a future Super Bowl MVP. The Red Raiders were considering him, but any hopes Mahomes had of signing with Tech under Tuberville were dashed when the head coach walked out of dinnermidwayto take another job. “He was at dinner with me and my family,” Mahomes recalled about the recruitment process, “and got up and left to take the Cincinnati job. So, definitely wasn’t at the top of my list after that.” Talk about an unforgettable recruiting experience. Tuberville’s abrupt departure wasn’t just a slight to Mahomesit signaled the end of his tenure with Texas Tech. He took the head coaching position at Cincinnati, leaving the Red Raiders searching for a new leader. Enter Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury took over Texas Tech and didn’t hesitate to pursue Mahomes, landing the quarterback who would eventually become one of the program’s all-time greats. The rest? NFL history.
Mahomes Made Texas Techand Tuberville Missed Out
Mahomes thrived under Kingsbury, putting up staggering numbers in Tech’s Air Raid offense. His junior year stat line:
The numbers spoke for themselves. And soon, so did the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Mahomes with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 Draft, a decision that changed the franchise’s history. Since then, Mahomes has led the Chiefs to multiple Super Bowls, won league MVPs, and established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generationif not all-time. Meanwhile, Tuberville? He pivoted from coaching to politics, becoming a U.S. Senator from Alabama. While Mahomes lifted trophies and rewrote record books, Tuberville traded the playbook for the Senate floor.
A Snub for the Ages
In the unpredictable world of recruiting, coaches occasionally get things wrong. But turning away a generational talent like Patrick Mahomesespecially in a program that thrives on explosive quarterback playis a blunder Texas Tech fans will never forget. Would Mahomes have signed with Texas Tech had Tuberville stayed? Maybe. But what’s undeniable is this: Tuberville’s hasty exit left Mahomes unimpressed, led to Kingsbury scooping him up, and ultimately, played a role in shaping the career of an all-time great. It’s a decision that makes you wonder: just how different would football look today if Tuberville hadn’t left that dinner table?
