Nine Red Raiders Garner Phil Steele Preseason Nods

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech junior punter Austin McNamara headlined the preseason All-America and All-Big 12 teams that were recently announced by Phil Steele Magazine as part of the publication's summer release.

McNamara was tabbed a third team preseason All-American by the publication as he will enter his third year as a Red Raider ranked among the top punters in the country. He was also one of nine Red Raiders named to the publication's preseason All-Big 12 teams as one of four selections to the first team.

McNamara was joined on the first team by junior wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, senior defensive back DaMarcus Fields and senior offensive lineman T.J. Storment. Ezukanma and McNamara were both All-Big 12 first team selections by the conference coaches following the 2020 season, while Storment was a second-team pick while playing at TCU.

Texas Tech also had three of its linebackers represented as seniors Krishon Merriweather and Colin Schooler were named to the second team, while fellow senior Riko Jeffers was placed on the third team. Senior offensive lineman Dawson Deaton and junior running back SaRodorick Thompson rounded out the list of honorees on the third and fourth teams, respectively.

The official All-Big 12 preseason teams, as voted on by media members who regularly cover the league, will be unveiled in the days leading up to Big 12 Media Days on July 14-15. The two-day kickoff event will return to an in-person format this year at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

PHIL STEELE PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
Third Team: P Austin McNamara

PHIL STEELE PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 TEAMS
First Team: WR Erik Ezukanma, OL T.J. Storment, DB DaMarcus Fields, P Austin McNamara
Second Team: LB Krishon Merriweather, LB Colin Schooler
Third Team: OL Dawson Deaton, LB Riko Jeffers
Fourth Team: RB SaRodorick Thompson

Nine Red Raiders Garner Phil Steele Preseason Nods

Players Mentioned

Dawson Deaton

Erik Ezukanma

DaMarcus Fields

Riko Jeffers

Austin McNamara

Krishon Merriweather

Colin Schooler

T.J. Storment

SaRodorick Thompson Jr.

Texas Tech University Athletics