Big 12 Football: Biggest offseason question for every team

Texas Tech – Who replaces Patrick Mahomes?

Patrick Mahomes set all kinds of passing records while at Texas Tech. This included three 500-yard games, one of which was for 734 on 88 pass attempts — and it came in a loss to Oklahoma. It helped catapult Mahomes to cross 5,000 passing yards by the season’s end, along with 41 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

However, Mahomes is off to the NFL, where he’ll likely be a Day 1 or 2 draft pick. That leaves a gaping hole at quarterback for the Red Raiders, which may be for Nic Shimonek to fill.

Shimonek has been a three-year backup at Texas Tech, the last two of which saw him produce marginal stats in limited action. He did see extensive time in two games last season, however, throwing for 150 and 271 yards against Stephen F. Austin and Kansas, respectively. Now, those aren’t exactly college football powerhouses, but it’s still meaningful production and game action for the upcoming senior.

If Shimonek is the starter in the season opener, he’ll have to prove he can somewhat fill in for Mahomes. This likely won’t include the gaudy numbers Mahomes had, but if this is a system quarterback scheme, then it may lead to more eye-popping stats from another Texas Tech quarterback.