The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books and the Big 12 Conference finished with a record 38 picks in this year’s draft in Pittsburgh. The league also had its best showing in the Top 10 since 2012, with three players taken in the first 10 picks. But there was one team, with specifically one side of the ball, that stood out above the rest, at least according to 49ers general manager John Lynch: The Texas Tech Red Raiders defense.
Lynch gave the following quote to Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Fischer: “I don’t know if I’ve had as much fun in the draft process as turning on Texas Tech’s defense. I know they paid for it, but they do a good job of evaluating too.”
Texas Tech’s defense was elite this past college football season, leading the Big 12 in basically every statistical category, including scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense, while ranking fourth in passing defense. The Red Raiders also led the league with 41 sacks.
The 49ers took one player from the Red Raiders and it came in the third round with defensive end Romello Height.
Texas Tech set a new school record with nine players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, breaking the previous record from 1956. Six of their nine players selected were on the defensive side, with Romello Height being joined by David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez, Lee Hunter, Skyler Gill-Howard and Cole Wisniewski.
Texas Tech 2026 NFL Draft Picks and Destination
- David Bailey (EDGE):Â Round 1, No. 2 Overall (New York Jets)
- Jacob Rodriguez (LB):Â Round 2, No. 43 Overall (Miami Dolphins)
- Lee Hunter (DT):Â Round 2, No. 49 Overall (Carolina Panthers)
- Romello Height (EDGE):Â Round 3, No. 70 Overall (San Francisco 49ers)
- Caleb Douglas (WR):Â Round 3, No. 75 Overall (Miami Dolphins)
- Reggie Virgil (WR):Â Round 5, No. 143 Overall (Arizona Cardinals)
- Skyler Gill-Howard (DT):Â Round 6, No. 205 Overall (Detroit Lions)
- Behren Morton (QB):Â Round 7, No. 234 Overall (New England Patriots)
- Cole Wisniewski (S):Â Round 7, No. 244 Overall (Philadelphia Eagles)Â
