It is nothing new for transfer wide receiver Josh Kelly to don the No. 3 jersey. After all, that's what he wore for the Washington State Cougars in 2023. However, when he arrived at Texas Tech, there was also no guarantee that he would be able to keep that number.
That's because the No. 3 is special to the Red Raiders. Fortunately, in just a short time with the program, Kelly has proven worthy of the honor of sporting that number as it was announced by the Texas Tech football program as his new number.
The No. 3 must be earned at Texas Tech. That's because head coach Joey McGuire only gives it to players who best represent what he calls "The Brand".
McGuire's goal is to have the toughest, hardest-working, most-competitive team in the country and those three tenants are symbolized by the No. 3. What's more, though, the No. 3 is special because of its ties to the late Luke Siegel.
The No. 3 jersey is a coveted number here.
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) July 29, 2024
This season, Josh Kelly will join Bryce Ramirez in wearing the No. 3 as the players that represent "The Brand."@kellz_0404 | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/2gns31H0zV
In 2015, Siegel, the son of former Texas Tech head tennis coach Tim Siegel, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a golf cart accident leaving him paralyzed. Unfortunately, Luke passed away in August of 2021 due to complications from COVID-19.
However, his memory is kept alive in part by the Texas Tech football program. Luke's favorite number was the No. 3 and since McGuire has been head coach in Lubbock, that number has been given only to players worthy of it.
Last year, linebacker Bryce Ramirez was awarded that number after he worked his way back onto the field following a horrific broken leg suffered at NC State in September of 2022. Ramirez will once again don the No. 3 this year but now, he'll share that honor with Kelly.
This move is a testament to just how much of a leader Kelly has proven to be since joining the program this offseason. To have earned this honor in such a brief time shows what a leader and a role model Kelly is for his teammates.
It doesn't hurt that Kelly is an excellent player as well. Last season, he hauled in 61 passes for 923 yards and eight scores in 12 games and for his career, he's caught 148 balls for 2,228 yards and 12 TDs.
This year, it will be expected of Kelly to lead the revamped Texas Tech wide receiver corps on the field. He's the most accomplished receiver on the roster and he's a super-senior meaning he's been around the college football block a few times.
However, it now appears that he will be looked to as a leader in the locker room as well. Tech doesn't hand out the No. 3 to just anyone so by giving it to Kelly, McGuire is telling everyone that his newest go-to receiver is also one of his go-to people within the program.