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Texas Tech football: 5 Preferred walk-on’s that could eventually play for Red Raiders

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 22: General view of fireworks during the National Anthem before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma Sooners on October 22, 2016 at AT
LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 22: General view of fireworks during the National Anthem before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma Sooners on October 22, 2016 at AT /
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(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Don’t overlook these five 2019 preferred walk-on signees because they may eventually wind up being contributors for the Red Raiders.

Every major college football program, including Texas Tech, relies on walk-on players more heavily than the average fan realizes.  Though we often do not hear their names on Saturday afternoons, these unheralded players are critical to any team, especially in the era of the 85 scholarship limit.

These are the players that comprise the majority of a program’s scout teams, which are vital in helping the starting units prepare for each opponent.  But only a select few will earn the right to play in actual games with even fewer  earning scholarships before their career is over.

In recent years, that has been the case for two Red Raiders.  Senior defensive back Justus Parker began his career at Texas Lutheran before walking on in Lubbock in 2016.  And after a breakout 2017 season that saw him intercept four passes, force four fumbles (returning one for a touchdown) and register 42 tackles, he was placed on scholarship by Kliff Kingsbury.

Last year, he was a preseason All-Big 12 honoree and though he had a bit of a regression from a statistical perspective, he was a key part of the Red Raider defensive backfield.  This fall, he figures to be a key member of a revamped secondary and will enter spring practice as one of the favorites to earn a starting spot at one of the safety positions.

Another former walk-on that was able to earn a scholarship was Midland defensive lineman Taylor Nunez.  The former high school QB was put on scholarship in August of 2015 just weeks prior to the start of his sophomore season.

He finished his career having appeared in 36 total games as a rotation piece along the defense line and a key special team’s contributor.  Additionally, he was an academic All-Big 12 honoree three times in his career.

This year, the Texas Tech football team has brought on a number of interesting preferred walk-on (PWO) signees to help offset its small signing class.  Let’s take a look at five that could eventually make a difference as Red Raiders.

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