The Texas Tech football team aims to break its 70-year-old record of six players drafted in a single NFL Draft. This record was set in 1956 when the draft had 30 rounds.
Mentioned in this story
The 2025 Texas Tech football team produced some notable firsts for the program: 12 wins, a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. This past year's Red Raiders could set another program record this week: most players drafted off one team.
The school record is six, set in 1956. The draft was 30 rounds back then, though, with three rounds on Nov. 28, 1955, in Philadelphia and the remaining 27 rounds on Jan. 17-18, 1956, in Los Angeles.
The six Tech players selected were defensive tackle Bill Herchman to the San Francisco 49ers in the third round, halfback Don Schmidt to the Baltimore Colts in the sixth round, tackle Jerry Walker to the Chicago Cardinals in the 12th round, fullback James Sides to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 13th round, defensive end Ken Vakey to the Green Bay Packers in the 19th round, and halfback Ronnie Herr to the Chicago Cardinals in the 21st round.
Walker and Sides are members of the Texas Tech Athletics Hall of Fame.
More: David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez win Texas Tech football's Cawthon Award
More: Which Texas Tech football team's better, 2008 or 2025? | Williams
Texas Tech football had six players drafted in 1956, which is the current school record.
The 2025 Texas Tech football team could set a new program record by having more than six players drafted, surpassing the record set in 1956.
In 1956, Texas Tech players were drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Colts, Chicago Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Green Bay Packers.
Barcelona and Real Madrid face significant challenges after their UEFA Champions League exits. Both teams are now focused on addressing their weaknesses as they continue in LaLiga.
Could Guardiola's legacy surpass Ferguson, Wenger, and Klopp?
Are long-range goals disappearing in the Premier League due to the new ball?
Inside the Avalanche's goaltending tandem: 'The Lumber Yard'
Lakers' Game 1 victory over Rockets could signal trouble ahead for Houston.
Victor Wembanyama's first playoff game brings excitement and color to Spurs' Fiesta Week celebration.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
The Red Raiders having six players taken in the 1956 draft came on the heels of a three-year run in which Tech went 11-1 with a Gator Bowl victory to cap the 1953 season, 7-2-1 in 1954 and 7-3-1 with a trip to the Sun Bowl in 1955.
This year's NFL Draft unfolds over three days in Pittsburgh. The start times (all CDT) are 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23 (round 1); 6 p.m. Friday, April 24 (rounds 2-3); and 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25 (rounds 4-7).
From Tech, edge defender David Bailey, defensive tackle Lee Hunter, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and edge defender Romello Height appear sure bets to be drafted, and wide receivers Reggie Virgil and Caleb Douglas are regarded as day 3 picks. Safety Cole Wisniewski, defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard, and quarterback Behren Morton have also been mentioned in mock drafts.
Texas Tech players Lee Hunter (2) and Romello Height take the field prior to a non-conference football game, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
The Red Raiders had five players taken in 1965, 1969, 1978 and 1980.
Since the draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994, the most Red Raiders taken in one draft was four in 2009. Coming off an 11-2 season in 2008, Tech had receiver Michael Crabtree selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round, safety Darcel McBath by the Denver Broncos in the second round, offensive lineman Louis Vasquez by the San Diego Chargers in the third round and defensive end Brandon Williams by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What's the record for Texas Tech football players in an NFL Draft?