The Texas Tech football program entered NFL Draft weekend with one player guaranteed to be selected and several players profiled for late-round or undrafted free agent performance.
That's exactly what happened. The Arizona Cardinals drafted safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round, the Jacksonville Jaguars took defensive end Myles Cole in the seventh round, and several Red Raiders agreed to free agent deals. did.
This is the eighth year in a row that the Red Raiders have had two or fewer draft picks, and more could be drafted next year.
Running back Taj Brooks seems like a good bet to be drafted in the middle round. However, it is not certain that another Red Raider will be selected next year when the festival is held in Green Bay.
Here's an early look at the Red Raiders' 2025 draft prospects. Listed alphabetically and not necessarily all-inclusive.
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Safety Julien (CJ) Baskerville
Baskerville's 6-3, 215 record and Pro Football Focus gave him the highest rating of any high-tech defensive player last year, as well as his proficiency in run defense and tackling. He has been plagued by foot, toe, wrist and knee injuries, playing through pain and missing seven games over the past two years.
Related:Whatever his name, Texas Tech football's Julian (CJ) Baskerville was a premature baby.It didn't interfere with his life or sports.
Running back Taj Brooks
The 5-10, 230-pound Belcow from Tech is coming off a season in which he ranked second and fourth in the FBS with 290 carries and 1,538 yards. The Doak Walker Award semifinalist has decided to stay another year based on feedback from NFL scouts and efforts from the Matador club collective.
The website NFLDraftBuzz.com ranks Brooks as the No. 11 running back and No. 113 overall prospect in 2025.
Related:Inside Taj Brooks' decision to remain with Texas Tech football in 2024
Offensive lineman Davion Carter
Carter is small at 6 feet tall and weighs 295 pounds, but he was rated the sixth-highest in run blocking among FBS offensive guards last season, the eighth-highest in pass blocking, and third overall by Pro Football Focus. received good reviews. That was at Memphis, where he started 23 games before transferring to Tech.
Related:Texas Tech football team has fierce competition for two offensive line spots
Tight end Jalyn Conyers
The top 250 recruit in the nation out of Gruber College spent one year at Oklahoma State and three years at Arizona State before returning to West Texas. At 6-4, 265 pounds, Conyers is big enough to block, but he's at his best as a receiver, catching 68 passes for 784 yards and five touchdowns over the past two years. ing.
Related:Texas Tech football welcomes new tight end corps as spring begins
wide receiver josh kelly
Kelly came to Texas Tech after playing four years at Fresno State University and one year at Washington State University. His 61 catches for 923 yards and eight touchdowns last season were career highs, and he impressed coaches and teammates this spring with his run-after-catch ability.
Related:How Caleb Douglas and Josh Kelly got involved with Texas Tech football
Cornerback Bralynn Lux
The Fresno State transfer earned the second-best overall rating among Big 12 cornerbacks last season by Pro Football Focus, performing well in both pass coverage and run defense. He's small at 5-11.185, but will be under the gun as multi-year starting corners Malik Dunlap and Rayshad Williams qualify.
Related:Bralynn Lux gets high marks during Texas Tech football's first practice of 2023 season.
Offensive lineman Caleb Rogers
Pro Football Focus ranked Rodgers seventh in the Big 12 last season with 33 tackles, but he will move internally for 2024 based on the recommendation of NFL evaluators. Rodgers (6-5, 310) enters his fifth season and has started 42 career games, all at tackle.
Related:Texas Tech football lineman Caleb Rodgers thinks his future will revolve around
Offensive guard Vinny Shauli
Shaury (6-4, 295), a transfer from Toledo, started 33 consecutive games at left guard and earned All-Mid-American Conference first-team recognition in 2023 for a team that finished 11-3. . He earned Pro Football Focus' 12th-highest pass-blocking grade among FBS offensive guards.
Related:Additional information in the transfer portal says Texas Tech football coach kept his promise
Tight end Mason Tharp
There are 133 teams in the FBS, and Pro Football Focus ranked Tharpe 11th in run blocking among all tight ends last season. At 6-9, 270 pounds, he can move people around and may need multiple defenders to drag him down after the catch. Tharp has missed nine games over the past three seasons, and his health, especially his concussion, is a red flag.
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