It was a successful NFL Draft for Texas Tech, as the program set a new record of picks and showcased the talent level in Lubbock.
Texas Tech added to its historic football season with a record performance at the NFL Draft, as nine Red Raiders were selected.
The previous record of picks was set all the way back in 1956 with six and lasted 70 years until this year's class. It was also more than double the record in the common draft era, 1967 to now, which peaked at four back in 2009.
In an unsurprising move, phenomenal edge rusher David Bailey was the first Red Raider off the board. Despite some drama leading up to draft day, the New York Jets picked Bailey with the No. 2-overall selection.
The Stanford transfer spent one season with Texas Tech and helped transform the program into a Big 12 champion and College Football Playoff contender.
While no more Texas Tech prospects were chosen in the first round, an avalanche of Red Raiders started to come off the board in the second and third rounds.
National sensation Jacob Rodriguez was the next to go, with the Miami Dolphins scooping up the linebacker at No. 43 overall.
There has been a strong history of Red Raider linebackers suiting up for the Dolphins, from legend Zach Thomas to Jordyn Brooks, who Rodriguez will have the chance to team up with.
Lee Hunter continued the spree of defensive picks, as the Carolina Panthers drafted the defensive lineman a few spots later at No. 49 overall.
Fellow edge rusher Romello Height kicked off the third-round picks from Texas Tech after going to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 70 overall.
Another Red Raider is bound for Miami after Caleb Douglas had his name called by the Dolphins at No. 75 overall. He was the first offensive selection for Texas Tech.
Through the first two days in Pittsburgh, Texas Tech was already knocking on history's door with five selections. However, the picks would not stop rolling in on Day 3.
Another receiver got the day started with Reggie Virgil going in the fifth round to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 143 overall. It marked the first time a pair of Texas Tech receivers were taken in the same draft.
Skyler Gill-Howard resumed the defensive picks, as the Detroit Lions brought him home in the sixth round at No. 205 overall. He battled an injury that sidelined him the majority of last season and looks to rebound in the NFL.
One of the most interesting moves of the late rounds saw quarterback Behren Morton get snagged by the New England Patriots in the seventh round at No. 234 overall. He is the first Red Raider quarterback to be drafted since Patrick Mahomes II.
Finally, Cole Wisniewski went from not being invited to the NFL Combine to being a seventh-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 244 overall. He served as the cherry on top of an already loaded draft class.
Texas Tech can hang its hat on an incredible showing that was eclipsed by only three other programs, Ohio State (11), Alabama (10) and Texas A&M (10).
However, the Red Raiders' draft class does more than provide good feelings for the program, it sends a message that they are serious players in college football.
And they don't seem to be going anywhere. Texas Tech reloaded in the offseason through the transfer portal, especially with Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
While the achievement is something to be celebrated, and Joey McGuire and company assuredly will do so, it can also serve as the foundation for Texas Tech to become as normal in draft conversations as such lauded programs like Ohio State or Alabama.