Record eight Red Raiders head to NFL Combine, showcasing dominant defense and star quarterback after historic Big 12 title run.
The pipeline from Lubbock to the NFL is flowing in a big way.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders will have a program-record eight players competing at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the league announced Wednesday. The event runs Feb. 23-March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium, with 319 total prospects invited.
Headlining the group is quarterback Behren Morton, one of just 15 signal-callers selected to participate. Morton guided Tech to a 2025 Big 12 Championship behind an efficient passing attack and steady leadership, solidifying himself as one of the top quarterbacks in this draft cycle.
The Red Raiders’ defense, however, is the real story.
Tech dominated in the trenches last season, leading the FBS in rushing defense and finishing third nationally in scoring defense. That front-seven dominance is reflected in Indianapolis, where defensive linemen David Bailey, Skyler Gill-Howard, Romello Height, and Lee Hunter earned invites. Texas Tech tied Oklahoma for the most defensive linemen invited to this year’s combine.
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez also received an invitation after a breakout season that saw him finish fifth in Heisman Trophy voting - rare territory for a defender. Rodriguez anchored a unit that suffocated opposing ground games week after week.
On the outside, wide receivers Caleb Douglas and Reggie Virgil were among 46 receivers invited, giving NFL scouts a closer look at Tech’s vertical playmakers.
It marks the program’s largest combine representation since 2009, when stars like Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrell showcased their talents.
With the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Texas Tech’s championship core now gets its shot to prove it belongs on Sundays.