Texas Tech star Patrick Mahomes declares for NFL draft

The nation's most prolific passer is headed to the NFL, as Texas Tech star Patrick Mahomes announced Tuesday he's skipping his senior season to enter the 2017 Draft.

Mahomes led the country in 2016 with an astonishing 5,052 yards passing, a whopping 432 yards more than the second-place finisher. In his two seasons as Red Raiders starter, the 6-foot-3 230-pounder combined for 9,705 yards passing and 77 touchdowns with only 25 interceptions.

The Texas native is currently ranked as the fifth-best draft-eligible quarterback by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., but certainly has the chance to improve his stock with a strong combine.

Mahomes is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the country, thriving in Texas Tech's high-powered offense. While he will certainly be questioned whether he's just the product of that prolific system, he has all the tools to excel at the next level.