Texas Tech junior Patrick Mahomes II was one of 15 quarterbacks Thursday to remain on the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award which is presented annually to the nation’s top college quarterback.
Mahomes has been one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football through the first five games of the season as he leads the nation in passing yards and total offense entering Saturday’s Homecoming game against West Virginia.
Mahomes, a native of Whitehouse, Texas, has completed an impressive 72.8 percent of his passes (166-of-228) this season, totaling 2,274 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air. He is averaging 454.8 yards per game thanks in part to four games with at least 400 yards and two where he surpassed the 500-yard mark.
In addition to his prowess through the air, Mahomes has also added 162 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground this season. Mahomes ranks 16th nationally and first in the Big 12 with seven rushing touchdowns.
Mahomes is joined on the watch by J.T. Barrett (Ohio State), Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee), Luke Falk (Washington State), Chad Kelly (Ole Miss), Trevor Knight (Texas A&M), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State), Cooper Rush (Central Michigan), Seth Russell (Baylor), Zach Terrell (Western Michigan), Mitch Trubiasky (North Carolina), Greg Ward, Jr. (Houston), Deshaun Watson (Clemson) and Davis Webb (California).
The Johnny Unitas Award is presented annually to the nation’s top college quarterback based on character, citizenship, scholarship achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments. The award will be presented at a Dec. 9 ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mahomes and the Red Raiders will face West Virginia in an 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday morning inside Jones AT&T Stadium. Tickets for the game are still on sale and can be purchased online or by contacting the Texas Tech Ticket Office at 806-742-TECH.
(COURTESY: Texas Tech Sports Information Department)