Texas Tech made program history with nine players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, breaking a record that stood since 1956.
Texas Tech football made history in the 2026 NFL Draft, sending a program-record nine Red Raiders to the league after four more players were selected Saturday.
The nine picks broke Texas Tech’s previous single-draft record of six, which had stood since 1956. It also more than doubled the school’s modern seven-round era record of four, set in 2009.
Texas Tech finished tied for fourth nationally in draft picks, trailing only Ohio State, Alabama and Texas A&M. The Red Raiders also led the Big 12 by a wide margin, finishing five selections ahead of Arizona, Arizona State and Cincinnati.
David Bailey started the run Thursday, going No. 2 overall to the New York Jets. Jacob Rodriguez, Lee Hunter, Romello Height and Caleb Douglas followed before Day 3 pushed the class into record territory.
Reggie Virgil tied the old school record when the Arizona Cardinals took him in the fifth round.
Virgil finished his college career with 100 catches for 1,583 yards and 16 touchdowns, including 57 receptions, 705 yards and six scores in 2025.
Skyler Gill-Howard made it official as a new record when the Detroit Lions selected him in the sixth round.
Despite playing only six games because of a foot injury, the defensive tackle posted an 88.6 Pro Football Focus grade and a 90.0 pass-rush grade.
Behren Morton then became the first Texas Tech quarterback drafted since Patrick Mahomes, going to the New England Patriots in the seventh round.
Morton leaves Lubbock ranked fourth in program history with 8,989 passing yards and 71 touchdown passes.
Safety Cole Wisniewski closed the historic draft class when the Philadelphia Eagles selected him at No. 244.
For Texas Tech, this wasn’t just a strong draft. It was a program-changing statement.
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