Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Notable Red Raiders Drafted In Rounds 2-3 of NFL Draft

By Matthew Conner

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A view of the NFL Draft theater prior to the start of the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A view of the NFL Draft theater prior to the start of the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
26 Oct 1996: Running back Byron Hanspard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders moves the ball during a game against the Texas A
26 Oct 1996: Running back Byron Hanspard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders moves the ball during a game against the Texas A /

Byron Hansard 1997 – Round 2

With the No. 41 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected the best running back in Texas Tech history, Byron Hanspard. The Dallas, Texas native was a star for Texas Tech in the final seasons of the Southwest Conference.

In three seasons at Texas Tech, Hanspard amassed 4,135 yards and 29 touchdowns on 732 carries (5.6 yards per attempt).  He also caught 63 passes for 896 yards and nine touchdowns making him a two-way threat that would have been lethal in the spread offenses that dominate the game today.

According to Wikipedia, Hanspard remains Texas Tech’s all-time leader in career rushing yards  and rushing yards per game (125.3)  He also holds school records for single-season rushing attempts (339 in 1996) and most yards in a single game (287 against Baylor in 1996—one of seven career 200-yard games). He also ranks second in career rushing attempts and is in a four-way tie for seventh in single-season and career touchdowns.

Unfortunately, a severe knee injury suffered just prior to his second NFL season ended his career before it fully go started.  He returned to the field in 1999 but was not the same player as before the injury and in 2000 he was cut by the Falcons and out of football.

He ended his NFL career with 718 rushing yards and one touchdown on 189 carries in 28 games.  He also returned 40 kickoffs in 1997 for 987 yards and two touchdowns.

Home/Texas Tech Football