Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Texas Tech Football

Nov 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Red Raiders in the NFL

Since 1938, 152 Red Raiders have been selected in the NFL Draft. Among that group are 12 NFL, AFL, or Super Bowl champions, and 7 AFL All-Stars or NFL Pro Bowlers.

Zach Thomas leads all Red Raiders with 7 Pro Bowl selections and has the third most tackles in NFL history with 1,737 (an average of 9.4 per game).

However, an argument can be made that two of the best Red Raiders to play in the NFL were not drafted. Current NFL veteran receivers, Danny Amendola and free agent Wes Welker are two of the most successful undrafted NFL players of their generation.

Welker has caught 890 passes for 9,822-yards and 50 touchdowns in his 11-year career. Meanwhile, in his 8 years in the NFL, Amendola has 277 receptions for 2,559 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown in the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl 49 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

There are currently 11 former Red Raiders on NFL rosters (wile Welker is currently a free-agent, he is expected to sign with a team during training camp but he is not officially on an NFL roster).

Four Red Raiders currently playing in the NFL have played in a Super Bowl: Amendola, Welker, Manny Ramirez, and Louis Vasquez.