Texas Tech Football: 50 Greatest Red Raiders of all time
No. 9 Wes Welker (2000-2003)
Coming in as the No. 9 player in the history of Texas Tech football is a true football legend.
The top slot receiver to ever play the game of football (collegiately or professionally), was considered too small and too slow for division one college football but has earned consideration for a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Wes Welker has been counted out his entire career. Despite being named the Oklahoma High School football player of the decade, Welker had no division 1 scholarship offers.
But when a commit backed out on Texas Tech near national signing day in 2000, Mike Leach extended an offer to Welker and the rest is Texas Tech history. With 259 receptions, Welker ranks second in program history. His best season came in 2003 (his senior season) when he caught 98 passes (5th best single season in school history) for 1,099 yards (10th best in school history).
Welker is also the best punt returner in Texas Tech history. Averaging 11.8 yards per return, Welker set an NCAA record with 8 career punt returns for touchdowns.
In the NFL, Welker has put together a career for the ages. He has 9,894 yards on 899 catches with 50 touchdowns. Along the way, he defined what a true slot receiver could do in an NFL offense revolutionizing the game.
Next: Byron Hanspard