# List of sportspeople educated at Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public, coeducational, research university located in Lubbock, Texas. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, the university is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the seventh largest student body in the state of Texas. It is the only school in Texas to house an undergraduate institution, law school, and medical school at the same location. Initial enrollment in 1925 was 910 students; as of fall 2010, the university has 31,637 students from more than 110 countries, all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Since the university's first graduating class in 1927 of 26 students, Texas Tech has awarded more than 220,000 degrees, including 47,000 graduate and professional degrees to its alumni. The Texas Tech Alumni Association, with over 27,000 members, operates more than 120 chapters in cities throughout the United States and the world.
Since 1996, Texas Tech University has sponsored fifteen varsity teams that compete in nine sports: American football, baseball, basketball, cross country running, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. When the university opened for 1925–26 academic year, three varsity teams, baseball, men's basketball, and football, were fielded during that season. Gene Alford, who began playing for the Portsmouth Spartans in 1931, was the first Texas Tech alumni to play in a professional league. Many more Texas Tech alumni have become professional athletes and coaches in sports leagues including Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Several Texas Tech Red Raiders have been honored for both their collegiate, and professional achievements. Collegiality, six position awards have been awarded to seven Red Raiders. The Doak Walker Award, honoring the top college football running back, was presented to Bam Morris in 1993 and Byron Hanspard in 1996. The Sammy Baugh Trophy, honoring the top college football passer, was presented to Kliff Kingsbury in 2002, B. J. Symons in 2003, and Graham Harrell in 2007. Harrell also received the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, honoring the most outstanding senior quarterback in college football, in 2008. Wes Welker received the Mosi Tatupu Award, presented to the special teams player of the year from 1997 to 2006, in 2003. In 2007, Michael Crabtree received the Fred Biletnikoff Award and Paul Warfield Award, honoring the top college football receiver. The following season, Crabtree received both awards again, becoming the only player to win either award more than once. Four Red Raiders, Donny Anderson, Hub Bechtol, E. J. Holub, and Dave Parks, have been named to the College Football Hall of Fame. Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player Sheryl Swoopes, was the first player signed by the WNBA. Professionally, football coaches Carl Madison and John Parchman were named High School Football Coach of the Year by USA Today in 1988 and 1999 respectively.

## Alumni

* "—" indicates that class year is unknown.
* To sort these tables by alumni or class year, click on the icon next to the column title.

### Athletics

List of Texas Tech University athletics alumni :
| Alumnus | Class year | Notability | Refs |
| Leigh Daniel | — | National Collegiate Athletic Association championship track athlete; Ashland University women's cross country head coach | |
| Sally Kipyego | — | National Collegiate Athletic Association championship cross country and track athlete; World Championships silver medalist; Olympic silver medalist | |
| Jason Young | 2004 | 2012 USA Olympian, 2011 World Championships, 2010 World Cup competitor, a and former Strength Coach at Texas Tech University | 221 |

### Baseball

List of Texas Tech University baseball alumni :
| Alumnus | Class year | Notability |
| Gary Ashby | 1977 | Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach (1984–1986) |
| Doug Ault | 1972 | Major League Baseball player (1976–1978, 1980) |
| Josh Bard | 1999 | Major League Baseball player (2002–present) |
| Dallas Braden | 2004 | Major League Baseball player (2007–present) |
| Mark Brandenburg | 1992 | Major League Baseball player (1995–1997) |
| Stubby Clapp | 1996 | Major League Baseball player (2001); Tri-City ValleyCats manager (2011–present) |
| Joe Dillon | 1997 | Major League Baseball player (2005, 2007–2009) |
| Travis Driskill | 1993 | Major League Baseball player (2002–2005, 2007) |
| Keith Ginter | 1998 | Major League Baseball player (2000–2005) |
| Donald Harris | 1989 | Major League Baseball player (1991–1993) |
| Chuck Harrison | 1962 | Major League Baseball player (1965–1967, 1969, 1971) |
| Mike Humphreys | 1988 | Major League Baseball player (1991–1993) |
| Colt Hynes | 2007 | Minor League Baseball player (2007–present) |
| Nathan Karns | 2009 | Major League Baseball player (2013–present) |
| Jeff Karstens | 2003 | Major League Baseball player (2006–present) |
| Brandon Kolb | 1995 | Major League Baseball player (2000–2001) |
| Trey Lunsford | 2000 | Major League Baseball player (2002–2003) |
| Matt Miller | 1996 | Major League Baseball player (2001–2002) |
| Ryan Nye | 1995 | Major League Baseball player (1997–1998) |
| Dustin Richardson | 2006 | Major League Baseball player (2009–2010) |
| Chris Sampson | 1999 | Major League Baseball player (2006–2010) |
| Travis Smith | 1995 | Major League Baseball player (1998, 2002, 2004–2006) |
| Dan Spencer | 1987 | Green River Gators head coach (1992–1996); Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach (2009–2012) |
| Zachary Stewart | 2008 | Minor League Baseball player (2008–present) |
| Josh Tomlin | 2006 | Major League Baseball player (2010–present) |
| Steve Watkins | 1998 | Major League Baseball player (2004) |

### Basketball

List of Texas Tech University basketball alumni :
| Alumnus | Class year | Notability |
| Tony Battie | 1997 | National Basketball Association player (1997/98–present) |
| Tony Benford | 1986 | North Texas Mean Green men's basketball head coach (2012/13–present) |
| Gary Blair | 1972 (BPE), 1974 (M.Ed.) | Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks head coach (1985/86–1992/93); Arkansas Lady Razorbacks head coach (1993/94–2002/03); Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball head coach (2003/04–present) |
| Rick Bullock | 1976 | National Basketball Association player (1976) |
| Angie Braziel | 1999 | Women's National Basketball Association player (1999–2001) |
| Cory Carr | 1998 | American-Israeli National Basketball Association player (1998/99–2000/01) |
| Mark Davis | 1995 | National Basketball Association player (1995/96) |
| Keitha Dickerson | 2000 | Women's National Basketball Association player (2001–2002) |
| Andre Emmett | 2003 | National Basketball Association player (2004/05) |
| Gene Gibson | 1950 | Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach (1961–1969) |
| Darvin Ham | 1996 | National Basketball Association player (1996/97–2004/05) |
| Geoff Huston | 1979 | National Basketball Association player (1979/80–1986/87) |
| Gerald Myers | 1959 (B.Ed.), 1965 (M.S.) | Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach (1971/72–1990/91); Texas Tech University Director of Athletics (1996–2011) |
| Paul Nolen | 1953 | National Basketball Association player (1953/54) |
| Jia Perkins | 2004 | Women's National Basketball Association player (2004–present) |
| Plenette Pierson | 2003 | Women's National Basketball Association player (2003–present) |
| Kasib Powell | 2002 | National Basketball Association player (2007/08) |
| Polk Robison | 1934 | Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach (1942/43–1945/46, 1947/48–1960/61); Texas Tech University Director of Athletics (1960–1970) |
| Jason Sasser | 1996 | National Basketball Association player (1996/97, 1998/99) |
| Sam Sibert | 1970 | National Basketball Association player (1972/73) |
| Sheryl Swoopes | 1993 | Olympic Games Women's Basketball gold medalist (1996, 2000, 2004); Women's National Basketball Association player (1997–2000, 2002–2008, 2011–present) |
| Jeff Taylor | 1982 | National Basketball Association player (1982/83, 1986/87) |
| Alicia Thompson | 1998 | Women's National Basketball Association player (1998, 2000–2002, 2004–2005) |
* Keenan Evans (born 1996), basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
* Dusty Hannahs (born 1993), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Terran Petteway (born 1992), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League

### Football

List of Texas Tech University football alumni :
| Alumnus | Class year | Notability |
| Gene Alford | 1925 | National Football League player (1931–1934) |
| Rodney Allison | 1977 | Chattanooga Mocs head coach (2003–2008) |
| Danny Amendola | 2007 | National Football League player (2009–present) |
| Glen Amerson | 1960 | National Football League player (1961) |
| Donny Anderson | 1965 | National Football League player (1966–1974); College Football Hall of Fame inductee (1989) |
| Hasson Arbubakrr | 1982 | National Football League player (1983–1984) |
| Elmer Arterburn | 1951 | National Football League player (1954) |
| Dek Bake | 2006 | Canadian Football League player (2008) |
| Tim Baker | 2000 | National Football League player (2001, 2003) |
| Joe Barnes | 1973 | National Football League player (1974) |
| Baron Batch | 2010 | National Football League player (2011–present) |
| Winford Baze | 1935 | National Football League player (1937) |
| Hub Bechtol | 1943 | All-America Football Conference player (1947–1949); College Football Hall of Fame inductee (1991) |
| Bront Bird | 2010 | National Football League player (2011) |
| Rodney Blackshear | 1991 | CenTex Barracudas head coach (2006); Lubbock Renegades head coach (2007–2008); South Georgia Wildcats head coach (2009); Abilene Ruff Riders head coach (2010); Amarillo Venom head coach (2011) |
| Art Briles | 1979 | Houston Cougars head coach (2003–2007); Baylor Bears head coach (2008–2015) |
| Buddy Brothers | 1930 | Tulsa Golden Hurricane head coach (1946–1952) |
| Jamall Broussard | 2000 | National Football League player (2004), Canadian Football League player (2007), and Arena Football League player (2008) |
| Bob Bryant | — | All-America Football Conference player (1946–1949) |
| Maury Buford | 1981 | National Football League player (1982–1991) |
| Jim Callahan | 1942 | National Football League player (1946) |
| Brandon Carter | 2009 | National Football League player (2010–present) |
| Carl Carter | 1985 | National Football League player (1986–1992) |
| Marcus Coleman | 1995 | National Football League player (1996–2006) |
| Michael Crabtree | 2008 | Fred Biletnikoff Award recipient (2007, 2008); Paul Warfield Award recipient (2007, 2008); National Football League player (2009–present) |
| Sonny Cumbie | 2004 | Arena Football League player (2006–2008); San Angelo Stampede Express head coach (2009); Texas Tech Red Raiders assistant coach (2010–2013) |
| Raymond A. Curfman | 1937 | New Mexico State Aggies head coach (1946–1947); Idaho Vandals head coach (1951–1953) |
| Kevin Curtis | 2001 | NFL Europa player (2006–2007); Louisiana Tech Bulldogs assistant coach (2010–present) |
| Stan David | 1983 | National Football League player (1984) |
| Gaines Davis | — | National Football League player (1936) |
| Keyunta Dawson | 2006 | National Football League player (2007–present) |
| Derek Dorris | 2000 | National Football League Player (2002) |
| Tommy Duniven | 1976 | National Football League Player (1977) |
| Sonny Dykes | 1993 | Louisiana Tech Bulldogs head coach (2010–present) |
| Ralph Earhart | 1948 | National Football League player (1948–1949) |
| Samuel Eguavoen | — | Canadian Football League player (2016–present) |
| Lin Elliott | 1991 | National Football League player (1992–1995) |
| Eric Everett | 1987 | National Football League player (1988–1992) |
| Eric Felton | 1977 | National Football League player (1978–1980) |
| Joel Filani | 2006 | United Football League player (2009); Arena Football League player (2010–present) |
| Bob Flowers | — | National Football League player (1942–1949) |
| Larry Flowers | 1979 | National Football League player (1981–1985) |
| Carlos Francis | 2003 | National Football League player (2004) |
| Dylan Gandy | 2004 | National Football League player (2005–present) |
| Roger Gill | 1963 | National Football League player (1964–1965) |
| James Hadnot | 1979 | National Football League player (1980–1983); United States Football League player (1985) |
| Joselio Hanson | 2002 | National Football League player (2004, 2006–present); NFL Europe player (2005) |
| Byron Hanspard | 1996 | Doak Walker Award recipient (1996); National Football League player (1997, 1999) |
| Graham Harrell | 2008 | Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient (2008); Sammy Baugh Trophy recipient (2008); National Football League player (2010–present) |
| Leonard Harris | 1983 | National Football League player (1986–1994) |
| Bill Herchman | 1955 | National Football League player (1956–1962) |
| Cody Hodges | 2005 | AF2 player (2006–2007) |
| Pat Holmes | 1961 | Canadian Football League player (1962–1965); American Football League player (1966–1969); National Football League player (1970–1973) |
| E. J. Holub | 1960 | American Football League player (1961–1970); College Football Hall of Fame inductee (1986) |
| Thomas Howard | 1976 | National Football League player (1977–1985) |
| Aaron Hunt | 2002 | Canadian Football League player (2006–present) |
| Anthony Hutchison | 1982 | National Football League player (1983–1985) |
| Charles Jackson | 1985 | National Football League player (1987) |
| Glenn January | 2006 | Canadian Football League player (2007–present) |
| Dwayne Jiles | 1984 | National Football League player (1985–1989) |
| Curtis Jordan | 1975 | National Football League player (1976–1986) |
| Bill Kelley | 1948 | National Football League player (1949) |
| Bob Kilcullen | 1956 | National Football League player (1957–1958, 1960–1966) |
| Kliff Kingsbury | 2002 | Sammy Baugh Trophy recipient (2002); National Football League player (2005); Canadian Football League player (2006–2007); Houston Cougars assistant coach (2010–2011); Texas A&M Aggies offensive coordinator (2012); Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach (2013–2018); Arizona Cardinals head coach (2019–present) |
| Kris Kocurek | 2000 | National Football League player (2002); Detroit Lions assistant coach (2009–present) |
| Devin Lemons | 2000 | National Football League player (2004) |
| Zebbie Lethridge | 1997 | National Football League player (2001) |
| Daniel Loper | 2004 | National Football League player (2006–present) |
| Anthony Lynn | 1991 | National Football League player (1993, 1995–1999); National Football League assistant coach (2000–2017); Los Angeles Chargers head coach (2017–present) |
| Carl Madison | — | USA Today High School Football Coach of the Year (1988) |
| Patrick Mahomes | 2016 | 3x Super Bowl champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII), 3x Super Bowl MVP (LIV, LVII, LVIII), 2x NFL MVP (2018, 2022), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2018), 2x First-team All-Pro (2018, 2022), 5x Pro Bowler (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) |
| Anthony Malbrough | 1999 | National Football League player (2000); NFL Europe player (2001); Canadian Football League player (2002–2009) |
| Darcel McBath | 2008 | National Football League player (2009–present) |
| Anthony McDowell | 1991 | National Football League player (1992–1994) |
| Edward McKeever | 1934 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach (1944); Cornell Big Red head coach (1945–1946); San Francisco Dons head coach (1947); Chicago Rockets head coach (1948) |
| Derrell Mitchell | 1993 | National Football League player (1994); World League player (1995); Canadian Football League player (1997–2007) |
| Roland Mitchell | 1986 | National Football League player (1987–1994) |
| Mike Mock | 1977 | National Football League player (1978) |
| Ed Mooney | 1967 | National Football League player (1968–1971, 1973) |
| Bam Morris | 1993 | Doak Walker Award recipient (1993); National Football League player (1994–1999); National Indoor Football League player (2006) |
| Eric Morris | 2008 | Canadian Football League player (2009) |
| Sammy Morris | 1999 | National Football League player (2000–present) |
| Roland Nabors | 1947 | All-America Football Conference player (1948) |
| John Parchman | — | USA Today High School Football Coach of the Year (1999) |
| Dave Parks | 1963 | National Football League player (1964–1973); College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2008) |
| Mac Percival | — | National Football League player (1967–1974) |
| Manny Ramirez | 2006 | National Football League player (2007–present) |
| Herschel Ramsey | 1937 | National Football League player (1938–1940, 1945) |
| Tate Randle | 1981 | National Football League player (1982–1987) |
| Walt Rankin | 1938 | National Football League player (1941, 1943–1947) |
| Montae Reagor | 1998 | National Football League player (1999–2007) |
| Lincoln Riley | 2002 | USC Trojans head coach (2022–present) |
| Gabriel Rivera | 1982 | National Football League player (1983) |
| Don Rives | 1972 | National Football League player (1973–1978) |
| Ed Robnett | 1946 | All-America Football Conference player (1947) |
| Frank Sachse | — | National Football League player (1973–1978) |
| Walt Schlinkman | 1945 | National Football League player (1946–1949) |
| Prince Scott | 1940 | All-America Football Conference player (1946) |
| Mike Smith | 2004 | National Football League player (2005–2006) |
| Timmy Smith | 1986 | National Football League player (1987–1988, 1990) |
| Lemuel Stinson | 1987 | National Football League player (1988–1993) |
| B. J. Symons | 2003 | Sammy Baugh Trophy recipient (2003) |
| Billy Taylor | 1977 | National Football League player (1978–1982) |
| Zach Thomas | 1995 | National Football League player (1996–2008); College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2015), 7x Pro Bowler, 5x First Team All-Pro, 2x Second Team All-Pro, NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, Class of 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee |
| Andre Tillman | 1973 | National Football League player (1975–1978) |
| Billy Joe Tolliver | 1988 | National Football League player (1989–1994, 1997–1999) |
| Alex Trlica | 2007 | National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I record holder for most points after touchdowns |
| Bake Turner | 1961 | National Football League player (1962, 1970); American Football League player (1963–1969) |
| Louis Vasquez | 2008 | National Football League player (2009–present) |
| Ken Vinyard | 1968 | National Football League player (1970) |
| Sammy Walker | 1990 | National Football League player (1991–1993) |
| Jamar Wall | 2009 | National Football League player (2010–present) |
| Joe Walter | 1984 | National Football League player (1985–1993, 1995–1997) |
| Ted Watts | 1980 | National Football League player (1981–1985, 1987) |
| Wes Welker | 2003 | Mosi Tatupu Award recipient (2003); National Football League player (2004–present) |
| Dixie B. White | 1939 | Midwestern State Mustangs head coach (1951–1952); Northeast Louisiana Indians head coach (1964–1971) |
| Todd Whitten | 1990 | Tarleton State Texans head coach (1996, 2000–2004); Sam Houston State Bearkats head coach (2005–2009) |
| Brandon Williams | 2008 | National Football League player (2010–present) |
| Rex Williams | 1939 | National Football League player (1940, 1945) |
| Ricky Williams | 2001 | National Football League player (2002–2003) |
| Shaud Williams | 2000 | National Football League player (2004–2006) |
| Tom Wilson | 1966 | Texas A&M Aggies head coach (1978–1981) |
| Bernie Winkler | 1947 | All-America Football Conference player (1948) |

### Golf

List of Texas Tech University golf alumni :
| Alumnus | Class year | Notability |
| John Paul Cain | 1959 | 1989 Greater Grand Rapids Open winner; 1992 Ameritech Senior Open winner |
| Oscar Florén | 2007 | Professional golfer on the European Tour |
| Jeff Mitchell | 1976 | Professional golfer; Texas Tech Red Raiders golf head coach (1990–2000); Stanford Cardinal men's golf head coach (2000–2004); North Texas Mean Green women's golf head coach (2008–present) |

### Volleyball

List of Texas Tech University volleyball alumni :
| Alumnus | Class year | Notability | Refs |
| Lisa Love | 1978 | Texas–Arlington Mavericks head coach (1982–1988); USC Trojans head coach (1989–1998); American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee (2005); Arizona State University athletic director (2005–present) | |