A way too early look at Texas Tech football's 2026 NFL draft prospects (2025)

The Texas Tech football program's all-in approach to the transfer portal and winning in 2025 has led to the Red Raiders having an extraordinary number of seniors on the roster for this coming season. That number's 31, to be exact, subject to more fluctuation with more portal activity.

Nearly half the 31 were starters last season, seven for the Red Raiders, the rest for other schools. In addition to shooting for a Big 12 title next season, several of those seniors aspire to use it as a springboard to an NFL career.

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With this year's NFL draft just completed, here's a way-too-early look at the Red Raiders with the best chance to be draftees or undrafted free agents in 2026. This list is limited to players going into their final season of eligibility.

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David Bailey, 6-foot-3, 250, DE/OLB

Tech's latest addition — Bailey joined the Red Raiders in April after graduating from Stanford — is the most highly touted. Bailey was disruptive this past season with 7 sacks, 8 quarterback hurries and 5 caused fumbles. Pro Football Focus ranks Bailey as the No. 40 prospect for 2026. The website nfldraftbuzz.com compares him, in size and position, to three recent high draft picks: Derick Hall from Auburn and Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell from Alabama.

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Lee Hunter, 6-4, 325, DT

Hunter earned second-team all-Big 12 recognition last season with Central Florida after he was credited with 45 tackles, including 9½ tackles for loss. He's No. 71 on the Pro Football Focus board for 2026. NFLdraftbuzz.com says Hunter, "combines excellent power with initial quickness, but one of his best attributes are his violent hands, which Hunter uses with impressive precision."

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Jacob Rodriguez, 6-1, 230, LB

Rodriguez led the Big 12 and finished eighth in the FBS with 126 tackles, showing no lingering effects from the foot injury that cost him eight games the year before. He was plenty disruptive with 10½ tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 pass breakups and 3 caused fumbles. He's No. 110 on the Pro Football Focus board.

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Caleb Douglas, 6-4, 210, WR

Douglas' 60 catches, 877 yards and 6 touchdowns last season were career highs across the board. Staying on the field is key: He missed Florida's last seven games in 2023 with a broken fibula and recently finished Tech's spring practice on the shelf with a hyperextended knee and bone bruise.

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Behren Morton, 6-2, 220, QB

Morton put up career-best stats last season with 3,335 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and a 63.3% completion percentage. He'll need to show pro scouts his passing arm's sound after undergoing elective shoulder surgery in December to treat an injury he suffered 15 months before.

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More: Texas Tech football QB Behren Morton details latest recovery timeline, summer plans

Cole Wisniewski, 6-4, 220, S

Another player coming back from injury, Wisniewski in 2023 led his North Dakota State team with 92 tackles and tied a Missouri Valley Conference record with 8 interceptions. Coaches have complimented Wisniewski's approach and his smarts, no surprise given his having won two NCAA Elite 90 awards. A foot injury he suffered in a 2023 FCS semifinal led eventually to a surgery that sidelined him last season.

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Romello Height, 6-3, 235, DE/OLB

Height's athletic ability has long captivated recruiters, and it still does as he's No. 190 on Pro Football Focus' draft prospects list. Coming out of high school in Georgia, Height chose Auburn from more than 15 power-conference suitors. He's since bounced to Southern Cal, Georgia Tech and now Texas Tech as this off-season's No. 27 portal prospect, according to 247Sports. He needs to up the production after registering only 6½ sacks in 36 career games.

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More: Texas Tech football earns transfer portal commitment from Georgia Tech DE Romello Height

Will Jados, 6-7, 310, OT

Jados' stature and experience virtually guarantees him a look from an NFL team. He was a full-time starter for three years at Miami (Ohio), playing more than 2,200 snaps, and has ideal tackle size.

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Davion Carter, 6-foot, 295, OG

Carter lacks ideal height, but he's gotten high blocking grades and he'll be a rare six-year college starter with two seasons each at the levels of community college, group of five and power four. He's No. 143 on the Pro Football Focus board.

Reggie Virgil, 6-3, 190, WR

Virgil caught 41 passes for 816 yards and 9 touchdowns last season with Miami (Ohio). His career track is similar to that of former Tech receivers Joel Filani and Antoine Wesley in that he had a breakout season as an upperclassman after previously being a non-factor. Joey McGuire says Virgil is one of the fastest players he's had in three-plus years as Tech coach, which should help Virgil test well for scouts.

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More: Texas Tech football buying in on fast-rising receiver Reggie Virgil

Vinny Sciury, 6-4, 305, OG

Sciury was on this list a year ago, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game and is back for a sixth year. He came to Tech from Toledo, where he started 33 games in a row at left guard.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: A way too early look at Texas Tech football's 2026 NFL draft prospects