Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech NFL Draft Central
April 25, 2003 | Football
The 2003 NFL Draft begins on Sat., April 26, at 11 a.m. (CT) and among those who will be watching with great interest are Texas Tech record-setting quarterback Kliff Kingsbury, defensive end Aaron Hunt, linebacker Lawrence Flugence and offensive guard Rex Richards.
The first three rounds of the draft will take place on Saturday and the final four rounds will begin on Sunday at 9 a.m. The draft will be televised by ESPN on Saturday and ESPN2 on Sunday.
Texas Tech has produced several NFL players in recent years, including 2002 fourth-round draft choice Kevin Curtis. Should all four make the draft board this weekend, it will mark the most NFL draft picks from Texas Tech since five players were taken in the 1980 draft.
Overall, the Red Raider program has produced four NFL first-round picks - Dave Parks, 1964; Donny Anderson, 1965; Ted Watts, 1981; and Gabe Rivera, 1983. Montae Reagor (1999) is one of many second-round picks from Texas Tech and is currently a standout defensive end in the NFL.
Kingsbury ended his career as the most prolific passer in Texas Tech history and one of the top quarterbacks in NCAA history. To his credit, Kingsbury owns 17 NCAA records, 16 Big 12 marks and 39 school records. He became only the third quarterback in NCAA history to pass for 5,017 yards during last season's nine-win campaign.
Hunt established himself as the greatest pass rusher in school history, eclipsing Reagor's sack record of 25.5 and finishing his career with 34. Hunt also owns five school records, including career sacks and single-season tackles for loss.
Flugence led the Big 12 Conference each of the last three seasons in tackles and led the nation during the last two. He set the NCAA single-season tackles record in 2002 with 194 and finished his career with a Tech and Big 12 record 500 stops.
Richards quickly became one the premier linemen in the Big 12 Conference as a starter during his freshman season. As his career progressed, he became one of the best in the country. Richards anchored an offensive line that enabled Kingsbury to establish himself as one of the country's top quarterbacks. During his senior season, Richards graded out at 90% and did not commit a penalty or allow a sack.
