Red Raiders in the NFL: Week 1

Red Raiders in the NFL | Regular Season Week 1, Sept. 4-8

LUBBOCK, Texas – While the Red Raider football team is off to a 2-0 start to begin the 2025 season, former Red Raiders started their respective NFL journeys this past week as the NFL season kicked off. Tahj Brooks and Austin McNamara made their professional debuts, while former first-round picks and NFL veterans Patrick Mahomes and Jordyn Brooks continued to shine for the shield.

A complete list of statistics by former Red Raiders in the NFL is below.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at New Orleans Saints (W, 20-13)
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (2019-23): Taylor-Demerson opened his 2025 season with significant playing time at safety, playing 67 percent of the snaps as he finished with three solo tackles and two pass breakups – second on the team.

Taylor-Demerson this week: 3 tackles (3 solo), 2 PD
Taylor-Demerson this season: 1 GP / 0 GS | 3 tackles (3 solo), 2 PD

BALTIMORE RAVENS at Buffalo Bills (L, 41-40)
DL Broderick Washington Jr. (2016-19): Washington Jr. registered 34 snaps and recorded one pass breakup in the road season-opener that saw the Bills make a dramatic comeback in the last five minutes to upend the Ravens, 41-40..

Washington Jr. this week: 1 PD
Washington Jr. this season: 1 GP / 0 GS | 1 PD

CINCINNATI BENGALS at Cleveland Browns (W, 17-16)
RB Tahj Brooks (2020-24): Brooks starts his NFL career with a sweet victory over a division foe. Despite not seeing any time on offense, Brooks recorded 12 snaps on special teams, coming away with one tackle on kickoff return.

Brooks this week: 1 solo tackle
Brooks this season: 1 GP / 0 GS | 1 tackle

DALLAS COWBOYS at Philadelphia Eagles (L, 24-20)
OL Terence Steele (2016-19): Another season, another year starting at right tackle for the six-year veteran. Steele played each snap, helping the Cowboys rush for over 100 yards (119) to go along with a 5.4 average per carry.

Steele this week: Played each offensive snap
Steele this season: 1 GP / 1 GS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at Los Angeles Chargers (L, 27-21, game played in Sao Paulo, Brazil)
QB Patrick Mahomes II (2014-16): Mahomes II kicked off his ninth NFL season with a first – a season-opener on a different continent. Making his 113th career start, Mahomes II finished the game going 24-of-39 with 258 passing yards and one touchdown. He also led the team in rushing with 57 yards and one touchdown.

Mahomes this week: 24-of-39, 258 yards, 1 TD | 57 rushing yards, 1 TD
Mahomes this season: 1 GP / 1 GS | 24-of-39 (61.5%), 258 yards, 1 TD, 89.5 QBR / 6 rushes, 57 yards, 1 TD

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at New England Patriots (W, 20-13)
DE Tyree Wilson (2020-22): Wilson starts his third year in the NFL with a win in Foxborough as he finished with three tackles, to go along with one sack (ninth of his career), and led the Raiders with two quarterback hits.

Wilson this week: 3 tackles (2 solo), 2 QBHs, 1 sack
Wilson this season: 1 GP / 0 GS | 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QBH

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at New England Patriots (W, 20-13)
OL Caleb Rogers (2020-24): Rogers was listed on the Raiders' inactive list prior to the game.

Rogers this week: No stats.
Rogers this season: 0 GP / 0 GS

MIAMI DOLPHINS at Indianapolis Colts (L, 33-8)
LB Jordyn Brooks (2016-19): Brooks began his second season as a Miami Dolphin and sixth overall in the NFL on the road Sunday afternoon. Recording his 18th-straight start as a Dolphin, Brooks registered a game-high 14 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Brooks' 14 tackles ranked second in week one – Bobby Okereke (16, New York Giants).

Brooks this week: 14 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL
Brooks this season: 1 GP / 1 GS | 14 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL

NEW YORK JETS vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (L, 34-32)
P Austin McNamara (2020-23): McNamara punted twice in the Jets' home season-opener with a net average of 47.0. His longest punt of the day went for 55 yards and pinned one inside the 20. McNamara also serves as the team's primary holder.

McNamara: 2 punts, 1 inside the 20
McNamara this season: 1 GP / 0 GS | 2 punts, 1 I20, 47.0 avg

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS vs. New York Giants (W, 21-6)
DB Tyler Owens (2022-23): Owens opened the season playing 83 percent (19 snaps) on special teams, while seeing limited playing time (four snaps) on defense.

Owens this week: No stats.
Owens this season: 1 GP/ 0 GS

Red Raiders on Injured Reserve

Jalin Conyers, TE, (2024), Miami Dolphins

Red Raiders on Practice Squads

Bralyn Lux, DB (2023-24), Cincinnati Bengals
Myles Cole, DE (2022-23), Cincinnati Bengals (signed Sept. 9)
Josh Kelly, WR (2024), Houston Texans
Erik Ezukanma, WR (2019-21), Jacksonville Jaguars

Texas Tech University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Tahj Brooks

Jalin Conyers

Josh Kelly

Bralyn Lux

Caleb Rogers

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