Texas Tech Football: 50 Greatest Red Raiders of all time
No. 13 Marcus Coleman (Safety 1992 – 1995)
At No. 13 on the list of the 50 greatest Texas Tech football players is a man who could be in the conversation of greatest pure athletes to ever play for the Red Raiders.
The versatile Marcus Coleman is one of the most highly decorated Texas Tech defenders in school history. In 1995, he was honored as a first-team All-American by the Football Writers of America, Dallas Morning News, and American Football Quarterly.
Though listed as a safety, Coleman played a hybrid position that asked him to perform the duties of a safety and an outside linebacker in Texas Tech’s 4-4 defensive front. The position was perfect for an athlete as talented as the Lake Highlands, TX native.
He set a school record with four interception returns for scores and set the Texas Tech single-season record with three blocked kicks.
Coleman had an impressive NFL career. After being drafted in the 5th round of the 1996 draft by the New York Jets, Coleman was selected by the Houston Texans in the 2002 expansion draft. He also played one year (2006) for the Dallas Cowboys — his hometown team.
Though he did not see the field for the Cowboys, retiring from one’s hometown team is not a bad way to end a career. In the NFL he amassed 517 tackles, 21 interceptions, and two touchdowns.
Next: Monte Reagor