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Texas Tech football alumni: Webb; Shimonek find new NFL homes

By Matthew Conner

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Nic Shimonek #16 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders huddles with teammates before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Nic Shimonek #16 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders huddles with teammates before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Two former quarterbacks that once starred for the Texas Tech football program, Davis Webb and Nic Shimonek, found new NFL homes on Tuesday.

While Texas Tech football fans will be excited to see former Red Raider QB Pat Mahomes get his chances to be the starter for the Kansas City Chiefs this season, many have also been keeping a close eye on the professional fate of two other former Red Raider QB’s, Davis Webb and Nic Shimonek.

Tuesday, Both Webb and Shimonek found new NFL homes.  Just one day after being released by the N.Y. Giants, Webb was signed to the practice squad of the New York’s other team, the Jets.  Meanwhile, Shimonek was signed to the Washington Redskins’ practice squad after being waived by the Los Angeles Chargers earlier in the week.

Webb’s release was surprising to most observers who expected the second-year player to back up veteran QB Eli Manning.  But after a strong preseason, the Giants cut the 2017 third-round pick in favor of rookie QB Kyle Lauletta.

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Media reports suggest that the decision to cut Webb took many of the Giants’ players by surprise.  Tuesday, Webb said that several of the Giants’ stars such as O’Dell Beckham, Evan Ingram, Sterling Sheppard and Manning reached out to support him in the wake of his release.

"“The biggest thing is having all your teammates call you, especially Eli (Manning), how emotional he was and how shocked he was.” Webb said."

Meanwhile, the vibe around Shimonek’s cross-country journey has been far less dramatic.  Always considered a long-shot to make the Chargers’ roster, Shimonek has a second life in the NFL.

The former Red Raider completed 13-20 passes for 80 yards in the preseason.  However, he was clear-cut fourth quarterback on the Chargers’ roster behind Philip Rivers, Geno Smith and Cardale Jones.

But the fact that Shimonek continues to beat the odds should come as no shock to Texas Tech football fans.  After being an afterthought when he transferred to Texas Tech in 2014, Shimonek steadily worked his way up the depth chart eventually earning an opportunity to start as a senior in 2017.

But he was not considered an NFL prospect until he turned heads at the NFL scouting combine this spring, an event he was only invited to so that there would be enough arms to throw to all of the receiver prospects.  Now, Shimonek will have a year to develop on an NFL practice squad just as he did at Texas Tech when he was buried behind Webb and Mahomes on the depth chart.

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Both Webb and Shimonek are well-respected among Texas Tech fans.  Webb will always be remembered fondly for the professionalism he displayed after losing the 2015 QB competition to Pat Mahomes and Shimonek garnered a ton of respect for his work-ethic as he  earned the starting job last year.  Hopefully, we will see both former Red Raiders on an NFL field soon.

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