Four Red Raiders drafted on Day 3, record total reaches nine

The 2026 NFL Draft came to a close on Saturday with rounds four through seven, with four more Red Raiders selected, closing Texas Tech’s total in 2026 to a program record nine selections. It breaks a 70-year-old record, dating back to the 1956 draft that saw six Red Raiders picked. The previous seven-round draft era record (1994-pres.) was four, set in 2009.

The Red Raiders’ nine selections ranked tied for the fourth-most in the FBS, trailing only Ohio State (11), Alabama (10) and Texas A&M (10). It was five more than any other Big 12 school, leading three teams tied for second in the league as Arizona, Arizona State and Cincinnati each had four selections.

Texas Tech 2026 NFL Draft Picks (9)

Reggie Virgil, Arizona Cardinals
Wide receiver Reggie Virgil was the first Red Raider off the board Saturday, selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the third pick of the fifth round. He’s the second Red Raider drafted by the Cardinals in the past three years, joining safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, who will enter his third season in 2026.

Virgil became the sixth Red Raider selected, tying the program record for most draft picks in a single year, matching the 1956 squad. He was also the second Texas Tech wide receiver drafted, joining Caleb Douglas, who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round Friday night.

Virgil closed his collegiate career with exactly 100 receptions for 1,583 yards and 16 touchdowns across 50 games between Texas Tech and Miami (Ohio), recording his 100th career catch in the Capital One Orange Bowl against Oregon. He started all 14 games at the “X” receiver position in 2025, leading the Red Raiders with 57 receptions while ranking second in both receiving yards (705) and touchdowns (6).

“It means a lot,” Virgil said after being selected. “It’s a dream come true. I worked really hard and put in a lot of hours — a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff I’ve been through. Just my life in general, I never gave up. I stayed consistent, kept showing up. I’m blessed, and God is great.”

He added, “I had a feeling I might go to Arizona, but you just never know. They gave me my first 30 visit, and the staff loved me and I loved them — we had a great time. [Wide receivers] coach Tony Sorrentino told me, ‘Man, I’m trying to get you. I don’t know when, but I’m going to get you.’ And [general manager] Monti Ossenfort told me they wanted me, and they made it happen.”

Skyler Gill-Howard, Detroit Lions
Defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard was selected in the sixth round by the Detroit Lions with the No. 205 overall pick, setting a new program record with seven Red Raiders drafted.

Despite appearing in only six games due to a season-ending foot injury, Gill-Howard made an immediate impact in his lone season at Texas Tech. He earned an 88.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking tied for 35th nationally and third among interior defensive linemen with at least 150 snaps. He also posted a 90.0 pass-rushing grade, third among interior defensive linemen.

Gill-Howard finished the 2025 season with 13 tackles (nine solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, a half-sack and six quarterback hurries.

Behren Morton, New England Patriots
Quarterback Behren Morton was selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round with the No. 234 overall pick, marking the eighth Red Raider taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Morton became the first Texas Tech quarterback drafted since Patrick Mahomes II in 2017. He also continues a connection with New England, which last selected a Red Raider in 2003 (Kliff Kingsbury).

A five-year player at Texas Tech, Morton led the program to its first Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. He ranks among the top quarterbacks in school history, finishing fourth all-time in passing yards (8,989), touchdown passes (71), attempts (1,263), touchdowns responsible for (78) and total offense (8,951), trailing only Graham Harrell, Kingsbury and Mahomes in each category.

Cole Wisniewski, Philadelphia Eagles
Safety Cole Wisniewski was the final Red Raider selected — and ninth overall — taken by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 244 pick (28th in the seventh round).

Wisniewski earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in 2025 and was a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award after missing the 2024 season due to injury at North Dakota State. He started all 14 games at safety in his lone season at Texas Tech and finished third on the team with 78 tackles (38 solo), leading all defensive backs.

Draft Notes