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Texas Tech football: Red Raiders’ best additions of the portal era

By Matthew Conner

Oct 16, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive lineman Tyree Wilson (19) chases during the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive lineman Tyree Wilson (19) chases during the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Zech McPhearson (8) intercepts a pass intended fo TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Blair Conwright (22) during the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Zech McPhearson (8) intercepts a pass intended fo TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Blair Conwright (22) during the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Zech McPhearson became an NFL draft pick at Texas Tech

Though Wells was a terrible high school recruiter, he did find some gems in the portal and one of his greatest success stories was defensive back Zech McPhearson who is now in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.

A former 4-star high school recruit who had one of the more impressive offer lists one could ever dream of, McPhearson originally signed with Penn State in the class of 2016.  After three years in Happy Valley, he would come to Lubbock looking for a starting opportunity.

In 2019, he got that chance at Tech making 12 starts and racking up 51 tackles and five pass breakups while also blocking two kicks on special teams.  A year later, he would register 53 tackles, four INTs, and a fumble recovery for a TD.

A first-team All-Conference selection in 2020, he decided to skip his final year of eligibility and head to the NFL Draft.  There he was selected by the Eagles with the 123rd overall pick.

As a pro, McPhearson has appeared in 33 games making 19 tackles (including one sack).  That makes him one of the few defensive backs to come from Texas Tech and have an NFL career.  In fact, since 2009, he’s been one of only two Red Raider defensive backs to be drafted (Jamar Wall in 2009 was the other).

Tech has gone heavy at defensive back in the portal.  Players like Rayshad Williams, Marquis Waters, Braylon Lux, C.J. Baskerville, Makiq Dunlap, Eric Monroe, and Tyler Owens have all come to Lubbock after stints elsewhere.  McPhearson has been the best of that group thus far, though, as he developed into an NFL player during his time in Lubbock.

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