Texas Tech has 24 former Red Raiders in the NFL mix for 2026, led by Patrick Mahomes, Jacob Rodriguez, Lee Hunter and a deep rookie class.
Texas Tech football’s NFL pipeline is getting considerably stronger.
The Red Raiders had 24 former players on NFL rosters entering the 2026 preseason, including a program-record nine players selected in April’s NFL Draft.
As Week 1 arrives and final roster designations settle, Texas Tech’s professional presence stretches from one of the NFL’s biggest stars to a sizable group of rookies trying to establish themselves.
The headliner remains obvious.
Patrick Mahomes II enters his 10th NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs as a three-time Super Bowl MVP and the most accomplished former Texas Tech player in the league.
But this year’s story is also about the next generation.
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was selected by Miami with the No. 43 overall pick in the second round, while Carolina grabbed defensive tackle Lee Hunter six selections later at No. 49. Both begin their rookie seasons with opportunities to contribute immediately.
Rodriguez joins fellow Red Raiders Jordyn Brooks and Caleb Douglas in Miami. Brooks enters his seventh NFL season, giving Texas Tech an established veteran alongside two newcomers in the Dolphins organization.
Hunter, meanwhile, made Carolina’s active roster after giving the Panthers another powerful interior option at 6-3 and 318 pounds.
Texas Tech’s NFL representation goes well beyond those two.
Terence Steele remains an important piece of the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line, while Broderick Washington Jr.continues his career with Baltimore. Former first-round pick Tyree Wilson is with New Orleans, and safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson enters his third professional season in Arizona.
The rookie wave also includes quarterback Behren Morton, safety Cole Wisniewski, defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard, edge rusher David Bailey and wide receiver Reggie Virgil.
At the skill positions, Tahj Brooks is with Cincinnati, while former Red Raiders Caleb Douglas, Erik Ezukanma and Josh Kelly have also been competing for NFL roles.
The final Week 1 number can fluctuate because of practice-squad moves, injured-reserve transactions and waiver claims following roster cuts. But the broader trend is clear.
Texas Tech isn’t simply producing an occasional NFL star anymore.
With 24 former Red Raiders in the professional roster picture during the 2026 preseason and nine players drafted in one class, the path from Lubbock to the NFL is becoming increasingly crowded.
