Texas Tech University Athletics
Where There's Wes There's A Way
November 07, 2002 | Football
Nov. 7, 2002
By Nicole Barba, Texas Tech Media Relations
Texas Tech junior inside receiver Wes Welker is the lone Red Raider on the 2002 Texas Tech football roster who calls the state of Oklahoma home. Most everyone has heard Welker's story by now. He's too short, too slow, got the last scholarship offered in 2000, and also happens to be leading the Big 12 Conference in all-purpose yards with 1,289 yards (prior to the Colorado game).
The 5-foot-9 fury is finally starting to get the respect he deserves following a Texas A&M game in which he had 327 all-purpose yards. His performance in that game may have brought the spotlight on Welker and assured that he will never be unnoticed again. Against the Aggies, he had 10 catches for 120 yards, 41 rushing yards, and returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown that gave Tech its first lead, 38-35, setting up the Red Raiders 48-47 come-from-behind victory.
The 190-pound Oklahoma City, Okla., native thinks the experience has been fun but doesn't pay much attention to all of the hype and doesn't make a big deal out of it. The only change is that people are starting to recognize him more. While he continues to gain yards every game, the biggest mystery is how he does it. No one is sure how he gets it done, but he is one of the best football players on a team that boasts arguable the nation's most prolific passer.
"Playing hard and giving everything I have is the sole purpose," Welker said. "Just knowing what I can do, focusing and trying to play with precision. But mainly I play with my heart."
How did this Heritage Hall High School graduate end up in West Texas to play for the Red Raiders?
In high school, Welker had huge numbers but had zero offers after his senior season. The knock against Welker was that he was just too short and too slow. He was selected as the Player of the Year in Oklahoma by USA TODAY and was the Gatorade Player of the Year, but still, no offers. Welker's only other options were walking on at a Division I school or possibly attending a prep school in Maryland. That was until Red Raider head coach Mike Leach called. Leach had seen Welker playing while scouting as the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. A week after signing day, Leach invited him to Lubbock, Texas. Welker was offered a scholarship on the spot and after a remarkable performance in fall practice, he moved into the starting lineup on special teams. Besides just coming to Tech because it was his only place he got an offer to play at a Division I school, Welker also liked the offensive scheme as it was similar to the one he played high school. And even though he did leave the state of Oklahoma, his family is always there for him. His parents, Leland and Shelley, and his grandmother, Ruth Wetzel, make every home game and almost every road game to cheer him on, which is something that means a lot to Welker.
"Having my family at every game really means a lot," Welker stated. "They are my biggest fans and I don't know what I would do without them."
Welker has 3,314 career all-purpose yards and ranks seventh on the school's all time top 10 list. He has racked up 1,111 punt return yards, 293 rushing yards, 1,589 receiving yards and 321 kickoff return yards over his two-plus year career. Welker currently ranks third at Tech with 127 receptions; second with 97 punt returns; and is second with 1,111 punt return yards. He also ranks fifth in the Big 12 in career receptions, third in punt return yards, and fourth in punt returns.
Welker is a good example of the ole adage "dreams do come true" and never gives up when life isn't going the way he planned. This Sooner state native wanted to play Division I college football right out of high school and didn't get any offers from them because of his size. Then he got a life -changing offer from coach Leach to play for the Red Raiders. Welker was on a mission when he came to Lubbock - to prove a lot of people wrong who doubted him and to show them that he can play football at a top Division I program. People may not have known Wes Welker before but they do now, as do his opponents.
