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Texas Tech football: DB Zech McPhearson drafted in 4th round

By Matthew Conner

Oct 10, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Tech senior defensive back Zech McPhearson (8) returns a blocked field goal during their football game against Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Tech senior defensive back Zech McPhearson (8) returns a blocked field goal during their football game against Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports /
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Last year, the Texas Tech football program had a first-round pick in the NFL Draft when linebacker Jordyn Brooks went off the board to Seattle on the draft’s first night.  This year, we had to wait until the third day of the draft to see the first Red Raider taken as Zech McPhearson went to the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round.

The No. 123 overall pick in the draft, McPhearson might be thrilled to land where he did.  That’s because he is originally from Colombia, Maryland which is only 124 miles from Philly.

It’s also a return to Pennsylvania for the 5-foot-11, 195-pound corner who began his college career at Penn State after being a 4-star signee in high school.  But after not being able to break into the starting lineup with the Nittany Lions, he would transfer to Tech prior to the 2019 season.

In all, McPhearson would amass 104 tackles, 15 pass defenses, and 4 INTs as a Red Raider.  That included an impressive 2020 season that saw him collect all of his career picks while earning first-team All-Big 12 honors from the conference coaches and the Associated Press.

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This past season, McPhearson made a number of notable plays as the ball seemed to find its way into his hands.  Against Iowa State, he gathered a blocked field goal attempt and returned it 90 yards for a TD.  Then, a few weeks later against West Virginia, he scooped up a 4th-quarter fumble and returned it 56 yards to break a 27-27 tie with what would be the game-winning score.

What makes McPhearson valuable to NFL teams is that he can play both on the outside as well as in the slot.  And Philadelphia needs help at both spots.

Though the Eagles have one excellent corner in Darius Slay, the rest of their roster is rather lacking when it comes to quality a corner.  In fact, the Eagles are trying to replace veterans Jalen Mills, Cre’Von LeBlanc, and Nickell Robey-Coleman this offseason.

A season ago, Philly was middle of the pack against the pass ranking No. 15 in the NFL against the pass by giving up 237.4 yards per game through the air.  But with only eight total interceptions as a team, they were No. 29 out of 32 teams.   Thus, they were likely impressed by McPhearson’s ability to take the ball away in 2020.

Interestingly, that was the only year of his career in which he was known for creating havoc in the turnover department.  But it opened some eyes around the county and helped land McPhearson in the 4th round of this year’s draft.  Best of luck to Zech as he gets his shot to play on Sundays!

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