Texas Tech Football: 50 Greatest Red Raiders of all time
Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive guard Louis Vasquez (65) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
No. 31 – Louis Vasquez (Offensive Line 2005-2008)
A hard-nosed guard that would become a star for the Red Raiders is No. 31 on the countdown of the 50 greatest Texas Tech players of all-time.
Coming out of Corsicana, TX, Louis Vasquez was a three-star recruit, and rated as 24th best offensive tackle prospect in the nation by Rivals.com. Vazquez chose Tech over offers from Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU among others.
As a sophomore, the versatile lineman started eleven games and earned Big 12 All-Conference honorable mention honors. His improvement continued in 2007 when he was an All-Conference selection who did not allow a sack the entire season.
During his senior season, Vasquez was part of the best offensive line in Tech history. The group up front dominated the line of scrimmage while leading Tech to a share of the Big 12 South title, and a Cotton Bowl birth.
That season, the Associated Press named Vasquez a third-team All-American.
The 6-5, 325-pound lineman was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He won the starting job as a rookie and held that position in San Diego for three seasons before signing with the Denver Broncos in 2013.
Vasquez was one of three Red Raiders (along with Wes Welker and Manny Ramirez) to play for the AFC Champion Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 48. He was selected to participate in the 2014 Pro Bowl after not rendering a sack during the entire regular season, but he did not play due to injury.
Next: Lloyd Hill