Days before Patrick Mahomes clinched his third Super Bowl victory, half-brother Graham Walker made plans to follow in his footsteps.
Walker is the third son of Patrick Mahomes Snr and, earlier this year, transferred from Brown to Rice University. The All-American wide receiver initially picked the Ivy League school for the “unique opportunities that it provided” him “both academically and athletically.”
The 6’3”, 215 lbs powerhouse studied philosophy at Brown but now has his sights set on a career in the NFL. During his time with the Bears, he clocked up 127 catches, 1,496 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Those impressive numbers led to him entering the transfer portal after deciding to focus on football over the past year.
“Seeing the track record of guys going to the NFL and the guys that the coaching staff has developed just provides more and more reason to join such a great program,” Walker told ‘The Roost’ of his reasons for committing to Rice. He is expected to fill the shoes of Luke McCaffrey, who was picked No. 100 overall at this year’s NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders.
McCaffrey was the first Rice alumni drafted in nine years. However, wideout Austin Trammell, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams, also made the league after attending the university, albeit after going undrafted.
Walker’s father revealed earlier this year that his son is keen to follow in the footsteps of his half-brother.
Graham Walker makes a leaping catch during a game for the Brown Bears ( Image:
Getty Images)
“(Graham) finally decided he wants to be a serious football player,” Mahomes Snr shared with FOX4 after his son entered the transfer portal.
He expressed his excitement about having more involvement in his son’s career, praising his step-father Gerry Howatt and mother Jessamyn Walker for doing “a great job with him.” They are all now looking forward to the “next chapter” for Walker.
“He’s come to the realization that he has a chance to play in the NFL,” his father added, “so he’s going to try and go out and explore all the possibilities. (He’ll take) Whatever road that leads, to try to give himself a chance to play at the next level like we all want to.”
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His father emphasised the importance of hard work, saying: “He has to do his part; he has to work hard. He’s got a big year coming up, so hopefully, he’s able to go out and do the things he needs to do to fulfil a dream that he’s dreamt about for a long time.”
Walker’s half-brother is also said to be “supportive” of the endeavour. Mahomes Snr hopes they may soon spend some time working out together.
“Hopefully, in this offseason, Patrick will get a chance to throw the football to him as he runs routes as Patrick always has his receivers come down, so we’re looking forward to that,” their father said. “You know, his word may be a little good, so maybe he can get (Graham) in the door too.”
