Red Raiders Playing in the NFL
While not always having the best football team in the country, Texas Tech has found a way to have former players succeed at the next level. When they hear Texas Tech, most people only focus on one certain quarterback in Kansas City, but the family of Red Raiders is deep within the NFL.
2008-2016 Alumni
Danny Amendola
One of the all-time great Red Raiders to play in the NFL, Danny Amendola, has had a great career. He won two Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots, where he became one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets. Amendola will always be known for his brilliant performances in the biggest games. In his two Super Bowl wins, he amassed 13 catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Above all, he is truly one of the best clutch players in recent memory.
Kerry Hyder Jr.
Kerry is in his first season with the Seahawks after previous stints in Detroit, Dallas, and San Francisco. His rookie year was great; he played in all 16 games and garnered 36 tackles and eight sacks. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles tendon in training camp the following year, limiting him to only seven games. It took some time to recover before last season while a member of the San Francisco 49ers, he had his best season. He had 49 tackles and 8.5 sacks. This earned him a two-year 6.8 million dollar deal in Seattle.
2016-2021 Alumni
Jack Anderson
Anderson has remained an excellent NFL-caliber guard since being drafted in the 7th round by the Buffalo Bills. He joins Le’Raven Clark as not only Red Raiders in the NFL but also on the Philadelphia Eagles. His role with the Eagles remains as a backup, but he could begin to see some playing time with injuries starting to pile up.
Antoine Wesley
While not yet having played in a game, Wesley remains active on the Cardinals roster. In a crowded wide receiver room, playing time could be sparse. Maybe he can learn some things from all-pro receivers, DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald, which can hopefully give him the tools to earn some playing time.
Keke Coutee
The former Texans receiver has had to deal with injuries his whole NFL career, and with only one year left on his rookie contract, unfortunately, he was released. Last season, he had a career year gaining 400 yards in eight games along with another career-high three touchdowns.
Dakota Allen
After appearing on the hit Netflix series “Last Chance U,” Allen has captured the attention of a national audience. After his success on the show, he transferred to Tech to join the Red Raiders. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in the 7th round of the NFL Draft and has since carved out decent playing time. So far in his career, he has played in 18 games and made 21 total tackles. He and Jordyn Brooks were both Red Raiders at the same time who now play in the NFL.
Jordyn Brooks
Meanwhile, the surprise 1st round draft pick by the Seahawks in 2020, Brooks has become a solid piece to that defense. As a rookie, he accumulated 57 total tackles along with two pass deflections. Through only two games this season, Jordyn has gotten ten tackles which put him on pace to match his rookie success. Brooks will look to join Zach Thomas as great Red Raider linebackers in the NFL.
T.J. Vasher
During his career at Texas Tech, T.J. Vasher gained a reputation as a jump ball machine. His height and athleticism gave him the ability to win most matchups against opposing corners. He had a lackluster senior season with the Red Raiders, which resulted in him going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys picked him up as a free agent, but a knee injury has kept him out of any games.
Jakeem Grant
Next on our Red Raiders in the NFL list is Jakeem Grant. Jakeem has capitalized on his blazing speed, becoming one of the most dangerous returners in the NFL. Grant even has an unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.18 seconds which would make him the fastest player in the NFL. The Chicago Bears saw this and traded a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for his services. In conclusion, Jakeem has racked up 3,184 return yards and five return touchdowns.
Terance Steele
Steele earned a spot as a rotation piece for the Dallas Cowboys offensive line in his sophomore season. Last season he came in for the injured Tyron Smith. Steele impressed the Cowboys coaches and fans alike with his ability to disappear on the field. Which is a good thing for linemen. The less you’re talked about, the better. Ask Chaz Green.
Cameron Batson
Batson played for the Red Raiders from 2014 to 2017 after being signed as a rookie free agent by the Tennesse Titans in 2018. Batson mostly makes plays with his run and catch abilities picking up minutes for the Titans returning kickoffs and punts. Unfortunately, Batson recently tore his ACL and will be out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
Cody Davis
Davis is a current member of the New England patriots after previously being with the L.A. Rams for eight seasons. Cody Davis played for the Red Raiders between 2010-2012 and signed with the Rams as a rookie free agent in 2013. After his 8 seasons with the Rams, he then went to the Jaguars for 2018-19, before landing with the Patriots.
Sam Eguavoen
Eguavoen is a current linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and played for TTU from 2012-14. Eguavoen is trying to make the most out of the opportunity, having big games in the preseason, but still experiences his moments of struggle 2021 season. In 2016 he originally started his professional career as a part of CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders before signing with Miami in Jan. 2019.
Broderick Washington
A former Red Raider 2018-19 team captain, Broderick Washington was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. In 2020 Washington was activated to the roster and played in eight games. In the 2021 season his momentum of appearances on the field has picked up some, picking up more impressive stats.
Zech McPhearson
After establishing himself as the best player in Tech’s secondary last season, McPhearson got drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He quickly caught the eye of both Eagles’ coaches and fans in training camp, earning praise. Some coaches even added that he was the most improved player during camp.
Patrick Mahomes
In conclusion, the undisputed face of Texas Tech football and Red Raiders in the NFL has continued to only get better. After sitting his rookie season behind veteran Alex Smith, Mahomes has put his name at the top of everyone’s best players list. This includes the NFL itself, who on their yearly top 100 players list put Mahomes at number 1. Mahomes and the Chiefs will be looking to make their third straight Super Bowl after falling short of the title last year against the Buccaneers.
Le’Raven Clark
Next on the list is another former team captain, offensive tackle, Le’Raven Clark. 2011-15 Red Raider alum, Clark started his professional career with the Indiana Colts drafted in the third round of 2016. Impressively, Clark had three starts in his rookie year with the Colts and put up big plays through several NFL seasons until suffering a torn Achilles in 2020. After being placed on the injured reserve by the Colts, Clarke signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021.
Dylan Cantrell
Dylan Cantrell started his college career for the Red Raiders in 2013 and played through 2017. Cantrell, another Whitehouse, Texas product (Patrick Mahomes), was drafted in 2018 by the Los Angeles Chargers and has struggled a little since then. With multiple appearances on the injured reserve and practice squads for various NFL teams, Cantrell is currently with the Washington Football team practice squad.
Red Raiders in the NFL Conclusion
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Story by Ryan Scott, Campus Live Intern