Texas Tech University Athletics
Wilson set for opening night of NFL Draft
April 27, 2023 | Football
Wilson will look to become the 10th first round selection in school history Thursday when the NFL Draft begins
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech outside linebacker Tyree Wilson will hope to hear his name called early into the NFL Draft Thursday night as he is projected to be the highest-drafted Red Raider defensive player in school history.
Wilson, who will attend the draft in person hosted this year at Union Station in Kansas City, has been forecasted to be selected anywhere from No. 2 overall to a spot in the low teens. He will be accompanied in Kansas City this evening by his family as well as head coach Joey McGuire, outside linebackers coach C.J. Ah You, director of player personnel James Blanchard and Associate A.D. for football administration Antonio Huffman.
Wilson would need to be picked higher than No. 21 overall to be the highest-drafted Red Raider defensive selection in school history as Ted Watts and Gabe Rivera were both picked in that same spot during the 1981 and 1983 drafts. They are two of three defensive first round selections all-time as Jordyn Brooks was also taken by the Seattle Seahawks at No. 27 overall in 2020.
Wilson will likely become the 10th Red Raider all-time to be selected in the first round, joining a prestigious list that includes the following:
Dave Parks, E – No. 1 overall, 1964, San Francisco 49ers
Donny Anderson, RB – No. 7 overall, 1965, Green Bay Packers
Michael Crabtree, WR – No. 10 overall, 2009, San Francisco 49ers
Patrick Mahomes II, QB – No. 10 overall, 2017, Kansas City Chiefs
Walter Schlinkman, RB – No. 11 overall, 1945, Green Bay Packers
Ted Watts, DB – No. 21 overall, 1981, Oakland Raiders
Gabe Rivera, DL – No. 21 overall, 1983, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jordyn Brooks, LB – No. 27 overall, 2020, Seattle Seahawks
E.J. Holub, C – First Round AFL Draft, 1981, Dallas Texans
A first-round selection would be a fitting reward for Wilson after a strong final season as a Red Raider where he was named a first-team All-American despite missing the final four games due to an injury. At the time of his injury, Wilson was one of only two-power five players and one of seven in the FBS to have 60 tackles, at least 10.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 or more sacks.
Wilson was a frequent sight in the backfield over his three seasons as a Red Raider, totaling 29.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 15.5 sacks. He put together his best season to close his career, notching 61 tackles in Tim DeRuyter's rush end scheme – a career best – as well as 14.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks.
While the attention will be on Wilson on Thursday night, several other Red Raiders could potentially hear their names called this weekend, names that include running back SaRodorick Thompson Jr., place kicker Trey Wolff, offensive lineman Weston Wright, linebackers Dimitri Moore and Krishon Merriweather, wide receiver Chadarius Townsend and defensive backs Marquis Waters and Adrian Frye.
The NFL Draft commences at 7 p.m. CT this evening with television coverage provided on NFL Network, ABC and ESPN. All three networks will carry the other six rounds of the draft with the second and third rounds beginning at 6 p.m. Friday followed by rounds four through seven at 11 a.m. Saturday.
