A way too early look at Texas Tech football's 2025 NFL draft prospects
The Texas Tech football program went into NFL draft weekend with one player sure to be selected and a few who profiled with late-round or undrafted free-agent grades.
That's exactly how it worked out. The Arizona Cardinals drafted safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round, the Jacksonville Jaguars took defensive end Myles Cole in the seventh round and several Red Raiders came to terms on free-agent deals.
It was the eighth year in a row the Red Raiders had no more than two players drafted, and more of the same could be in store next year.
Running back Tahj Brooks looks like a good bet to be drafted in the middle rounds. No other Red Raiders are sure to be selected next year, though, when Green Bay hosts the festivities.
Here is a way-too-early look at the Red Raiders' 2025 draft prospects, listed alphabetically and not necessarily all-encompassing.
More: Tahj Brooks, 8 others honored with Texas Tech football team awards
More: Cameran Brown earns No. 2 QB status after Texas Tech football spring game
Safety Julien (C.J.) Baskerville
Baskerville's rangy at 6-3, 215, and Pro Football Focus gave him the highest grades of any Tech defensive player last year overall, as well as for defending the run and for tackling proficiency. He's dealt with foot, toe, wrist and knee injuries, playing through pain as well as missing seven games the past two years.
Running back Tahj Brooks
Tech 5-10, 230-pound bell cow is coming off a season in which he carried 290 times for 1,538 yards, ranking second and fourth in the FBS. The Doak Walker Award semifinalist decided to stay another year based on feedback from NFL scouts and efforts from the Matador Club collective.
The website NFLDraftBuzz.com ranks Brooks the No. 11 running back for 2025 and the No. 113 overall prospect.
Related: Inside Tahj Brooks' decision to stay with Texas Tech football in 2024
Offensive lineman Davion Carter
Carter's short at 6-foot and 295 pounds, but among FBS offensive guards last season, he received the sixth-highest run-blocking grade, the eighth-highest pass-blocking grade and the third best overall grade from Pro Football Focus. That was at Memphis, for whom he made 23 starts before transferring to Tech.
Related: For Texas Tech football team, two offensive line spots generate fierce competition
Tight end Jalin Conyers
The former national top-250 recruit from Gruver spent a year at Oklahoma and three at Arizona State before coming back to West Texas. The 6-4, 265-pound Conyers has plenty of size to block, but he's at his best as a receiver, catching 68 passes for 784 yards and five touchdowns the past two years.
Related: Texas Tech football welcomes new fleet of tight ends as spring starts
Wide receiver Josh Kelly
Kelly came to Texas Tech after playing four years for his hometown Fresno State and one for Washington State. His 61 catches for 923 yards and eight touchdowns last season were career highs, and he impressed coaches and teammates this spring with his run-after-catch ability.
Related: How Caleb Douglas, Josh Kelly connected with Texas Tech football
Cornerback Bralyn Lux
The Fresno State transfer had the second best overall grade among Big 12 cornerbacks last season by Pro Football Focus, scoring well both in pass coverage and defending the run. He's undersized at 5-11, 185 and he'll be under the gun with multi-year starting corners Malik Dunlap and Rayshad Williams completing their eligibility.
Related: Bralyn Lux earns high praise in Texas Tech football's first practice of the 2023 season
Offensive lineman Caleb Rogers
Pro Football Focus gave Rogers the seventh-best grade of 33 tackles in the Big 12 last season, but he's moving inside for 2024 based on the recommendation of NFL evaluators. Rogers (6-5, 310) goes into his fifth season with 42 career starts, all at tackle.
Related: Texas Tech football lineman Caleb Rogers sees his future being at center
Offensive guard Vinny Sciury
Sciury (6-4, 295) transferred from Toledo, where he started 33 games in a row at left guard and earned first-team all-Mid-American Conference recognition in 2023 on a team that finished 11-3. He received the 12th highest pass-blocking grade among FBS offensive guards from Pro Football Focus.
Related: Transfer portal additions say Texas Tech football coaches have lived up to promises
Tight end Mason Tharp
There are 133 teams in the FBS, and Pro Football Focus gave Tharp the 11th-best run-blocking grade among all the tight ends last season. At 6-9, 270 pounds, he can move people, and it can take multiple defenders to drag him down after a catch. Health, especially concussions, are a red flag with Tharp having missed nine games the past three seasons.
Related: Bowl berth gives Texas Tech football's big boys another hunting trip to plan
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: A way too early look at Texas Tech football's 2025 NFL draft prospects
