Everyone knows the name Mahomes. In Kansas City, it’s basically a religion. But if you’re looking for Patrick Mahomes' brother on a football field, you’ve probably been looking at the wrong guy for years.
While Jackson Mahomes dominated headlines and TikTok feeds with sideline dances and high-profile controversies, a different brother was quietly grinding through the Ivy League. Graham Walker, Patrick’s half-brother, is the actual football player in the family. He doesn’t have the Super Bowl rings (yet), but he has the frame, the hands, and a very real shot at the NFL.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a wild story. Most fans didn't even know Graham existed until he started putting up numbers at Brown University. Now that he's moved on to play for Rice, the conversation has shifted. This isn't just about a famous last name anymore. It’s about a 6-foot-3 wide receiver who might actually follow his brother into the pros.
The Mahomes Brother Football Connection: Jackson vs. Graham
Let’s clear the air first because there’s a lot of confusion here. If you search for "Patrick Mahomes brother football," Google usually spits out photos of Jackson.
Jackson did play sports. He was a legit basketball standout at Whitehouse High School in Texas. At 6-foot-6, he was a walking mismatch on the court, averaging double-doubles and helping his team clinch district titles. But football? He walked away from it early. He famously told reporters back in the day that he just didn't like getting hit.
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Fair enough. Most of us don't.
Graham Walker is a different breed. He shares a father with Patrick—former MLB pitcher Pat Mahomes Sr.—but was raised primarily by his mother, Jessamyn Walker, in Alexandria, Virginia. While Patrick was becoming a legend at Texas Tech, Graham was busy becoming an All-Ivy League selection at Brown.
Why Graham Walker is a Legit Prospect
Graham isn’t some "legacy" project. The kid can actually play. During his time at Brown, he was a go-to target who specialized in contested catches. In 2023, he pulled in six touchdowns and had multiple games with over 70 receiving yards.
Why does this matter for the NFL?
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- Size: He’s 6'3" and roughly 215 pounds. That’s NFL-ready size for a wideout.
- The "Rice" Factor: For the 2024-2025 season, Graham transferred to Rice University. This was a calculated move. Playing in the AAC gives him a bigger stage and better competition than the Ivy League.
- Production: He finished his Brown career with over 1,400 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Those aren't "pity" stats.
The 2026 Outlook: Could We See Two Mahomes in the NFL?
As we look toward the 2026 NFL season, the narrative around the Mahomes family has taken a dramatic turn. Patrick is currently navigating a grueling rehab process after a devastating ACL and LCL tear late in 2025. While the world waits to see if the Chiefs' QB1 will be ready for the 2026 opener, Graham is entering the critical window for his own professional dreams.
It’s kind of poetic, in a way. Just as the elder Mahomes faces the biggest physical hurdle of his career, his younger brother is knocking on the door of the league.
Does he have the "Mahomes" DNA?
Athleticism is clearly the family business. Pat Sr. spent 11 seasons in MLB. Patrick is, well, Patrick. Even Graham’s mother was a standout athlete. When you watch Graham play, you see the same fluid body control that Patrick uses to escape sacks.
But Graham is a receiver. He’s not throwing the "no-look" passes; he’s the guy who would be catching them. Experts have noted that his route running is crisp, though he lacks the elite "burner" speed of a Tyreek Hill. He’s more of a possession receiver—a guy who wins with his hands and his head.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Family Dynamics
The internet loves drama. For a long time, the "Patrick Mahomes brother" narrative was centered on whether Jackson was a distraction to the Chiefs. People assumed there was only one brother.
The reality is that Graham Walker stayed out of the spotlight by choice. He wanted to earn his way. He didn't use the Mahomes name to get recruits to look at him; in fact, many of his teammates at Brown didn't even realize he was related to the three-time Super Bowl MVP until well into his tenure there.
That says a lot about his character. He’s not looking for the TikTok fame. He’s looking for a roster spot.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the trajectory of the Mahomes family or looking for the next deep-sleeper in the NFL Draft, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Rice Box Scores: Graham’s performance at Rice is the ultimate litmus test. If he can produce against FBS defenses the way he did in the Ivy League, his draft stock will soar.
- Pro Day Metrics: Keep a close eye on his 40-yard dash time. If he runs in the 4.5s at his size, scouts will take him very seriously.
- The Rehab Connection: Watch how Patrick’s recovery influences Graham. The two have become closer in recent years, and having the world's best quarterback as a resource for "reading" defenses is an advantage no other prospect has.
The "Patrick Mahomes brother football" story isn't about Jackson's sideline antics anymore. It’s about a quiet receiver from the Ivy League trying to prove that greatness isn't just a fluke—it’s a family trait. Whether Graham makes an NFL roster in 2026 or not, he’s already done something impressive: he’s made the world learn his name for what he does between the whistles.
Check out Graham Walker’s latest highlights at Rice to see if his jump-ball ability translates to the next level. If you're a scout or a fantasy football degenerate, he's a name to circle for the late rounds of your 2026 dynasty drafts.