Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making a much-anticipated return to his college roots this weekend. With the Chiefs on a bye week, the two-time NFL MVP will head back to Texas Tech University, where he will join ESPN’s “College GameDay” as the show’s guest picker on Saturday.
Patrick Mahomes returns home to Texas for a special appearance
The announcement came on Friday, confirming that Mahomes will take a brief break from his NFL duties to make an appearance in his home state of Texas. The segment marks a full-circle moment for the superstar, who made his name on the very same college field where the show will broadcast this weekend — Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock.
“College GameDay,” one of ESPN’s most popular college football programs, features weekly live broadcasts from high-profile matchups across the country. The show’s lineup includes host Rece Davis, analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard, former Alabama coach Nick Saban, and Pat McAfee. Each week, a celebrity guest joins the panel to pick the day’s marquee college football games — and this weekend, that honor belongs to Patrick Mahomes.
A fitting return to Red Raider country
Mahomes’ return comes as his alma mater, Texas Tech, prepares for a pivotal showdown against the BYU Cougars on Saturday. The Red Raiders have been one of the standout teams this season, sitting at eighth in the initial 2025-26 College Football Playoff rankings, just behind seventh-ranked BYU. The matchup carries major implications for the Big 12 Championship race and could shape the playoff picture as the season progresses.
It’s a fitting stage for Mahomes, who remains one of the most celebrated players in Texas Tech football history. During his three seasons (2014–2016) with the Red Raiders, Patrick Mahomes established himself as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football. He completed 857 of 1,349 passes (63.5%) for 11,252 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions, while also rushing for 22 scores. His final season in 2016 saw him lead all FBS quarterbacks in total passing yards (5,052) and yards per game (421).
In recognition of his college legacy, Mahomes was inducted into the Texas Tech Football Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame in 2022, cementing his place among the program’s all-time greats.
College GameDay heads to Lubbock for a high-stakes clash
Saturday’s College GameDay broadcast will air live from Jones AT&T Stadium, building anticipation for the Red Raiders’ home clash against BYU, which kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on ABC. For Patrick Mahomes, it’s not only an opportunity to relive his college days but also to represent his alma mater on one of the sport’s biggest stages.