UPDATE: Where potential NFL Draft picks for Texas Tech football could be chosen

The Texas Tech football program isn’t expected to have a significant presence in the upcoming NFL Draft. The introduction of N.I.L. payments has incentivized key players to remain in Lubbock for another year. Additionally, the lack of notable NFL prospects on the 2023 team means that only a few Red Raiders have a realistic chance of being drafted this year.

However, the outlook may change in the coming years, with players like Behren Morton, Tahj Brooks, and recently recruited freshman wide receiver Micah Hudson showing promise as potential NFL draftees.

This year, there’s a distinct possibility that no Red Raider will be selected in the draft, marking the first time since 2015. In the intervening years, the program has seen three first-round picks and a total of 14 draftees. Whether this streak will continue remains uncertain. Let’s examine where the draft hopefuls from Texas Tech might hear their names called in the upcoming draft.

The top draft prospect from Texas Tech is DE Myles Cole.

It’s unlikely that any Red Raiders will be selected in the first two days of the NFL Draft, barring any unexpected developments. The most notable prospect from Texas Tech is Myles Cole, although he didn’t make a significant impact during his college career.

With only 85 career tackles and 5 sacks in six years at the collegiate level, Cole’s production doesn’t stand out. However, his impressive size at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds could catch the attention of NFL teams, potentially leading to him being drafted as a developmental player.

If Cole is selected, it will likely be late on day three of the draft, possibly in the sixth or seventh round. He may ultimately hear his name called in the final round as a team in need of assistance at defensive end takes a chance on him with a low-value pick.

It’s probable that DT Jaylon Hutchings will be an undrafted free agent.

Jaylon Hutchings emerged as one of Lubbock’s most effective defensive tackles in recent memory, concluding his tenure as a Red Raider with an impressive stat line of 190 tackles and 11 sacks, serving as a cornerstone for the defensive line.

Transitioning from a standout high school running back, Hutchings possesses remarkable athleticism and considerable strength, enabling him to exert control over offensive linemen. Furthermore, his proficiency as a pass rusher surpasses that of many counterparts in his position group.

Despite these strengths, his pass-rushing repertoire is primarily reliant on a singular move, namely his spin maneuver. To thrive in the NFL, he’ll need to expand his arsenal of techniques. Moreover, Hutchings didn’t exhibit the dominance at the NCAA level that typically foretells stardom at the professional level. Consequently, his path to Sundays may involve pursuing opportunities as an undrafted free agent.

Will Texas Tech tight end Baylor Cupp get a chance to play in the NFL because of his potential?

Similar to Cole, Baylor Cupp, the former Texas Tech tight end, lacks the statistical output to be considered a top-tier draft prospect, but his physical attributes could attract interest from NFL scouts. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 260 pounds, Cupp demonstrates impressive speed relative to his size, qualities that may catch the attention of NFL teams.

However, Cupp’s collegiate career was plagued by frequent injuries, both during his time at Texas Tech and previously at Texas A&M, which could be viewed unfavorably by evaluators. Additionally, with only 23 receptions for 246 yards and four touchdowns throughout his college career, his on-field production is not particularly noteworthy. Consequently, it’s probable that he will go undrafted in the upcoming Draft.

Texas Tech’s Draft streak might be preserved by punter Austin McNamara.

The standout NFL prospect for the Red Raiders could surprisingly be punter Austin McNamara. Among all the players on the 2023 roster, the Arizona native stood out as the top performer in his position nationwide.

Throughout his tenure at Texas Tech, McNamara consistently delivered impressive punting performances, never averaging fewer than 44.3 yards per punt in a season. Remarkably, he maintained an average of at least 45 yards per kick across four seasons.

However, punters typically don’t garner much attention in the draft unless they possess exceptional talents. As a result, it’s unlikely that McNamara will be selected, but if he does, it would likely be in the seventh round when teams are more inclined to use a pick on a specialist like a kicker or punter.