LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech extensive receiver Erik Ezukanma and offensive lineman Dawson Deaton had been each chosen in the course of the final day of the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday as Ezukanma was picked within the fourth spherical by the Miami Dolphins adopted by Deaton within the seventh spherical with the Cleveland Browns.
With the 2 picks, Texas Tech now boasts a number of NFL Draft alternatives over three-consecutive years, its longest such run since 2003-05) since fashionable names resembling Kliff Kingsbury (2003), Aaron Hunt (2003), B.J. Symons (2004), Carlos Francis (2004), Mike Smith (2005), Dylan Gandy (2005) and Daniel Loper (2005) all had their names referred to as.
Ezukanma, continues Texas Tech’s lengthy custom of sending extensive receivers to the league as he joins current draftees resembling Keke Coutee (2018), Dylan Cantrell (2018), Jakeem Grant (2016) and Michael Crabtree (2009). That record does not even embrace profitable free agent signees nonetheless within the NFL like Danny Amendola or Cameron Batson.
The wideout, nevertheless, who began Texas Tech’s run of profitable NFL extensive receivers will now be his place coach in Miami as Wes Welker joined the Dolphins group this offseason. The group has historically been nice to Texas Tech, having chosen Ring of Honor member Zach Thomas within the fifth spherical of the 1996 draft.
Ezukanma recorded 138 catches for two,165 yards and 15 touchdowns over his 35 profession video games as a Red Raider as he was an All-Big 12 first staff honoree by the convention coaches in 2020 after which a second-team recipient in 2021. The Fort Worth native is barely the fifteenth participant in program historical past to file not less than 2,000 receiving yards in a profession.
Deaton, in the meantime, was a mainstay on the offensive line the previous three seasons for the Red Raiders as he made 35 begins, together with 33 at heart. Deaton, a local of Frisco, Texas, was a three-time All-Big 12 honoree, incomes second staff honors every of the previous two seasons in addition to honorable point out accolades in 2019.
His work this previous season positioned him in an elite class amongst Texas Tech offensive linemen as he turned solely the seventh Red Raider to garner All-Big 12 first or second staff honors twice in a profession. Deaton was the highest-graded offensive lineman for the Red Raiders this previous season after beginning in 11 video games, together with a memorable win within the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Texas Tech could have the chance so as to add further Red Raiders into the NFL ranks all through the weekend via undrafted free agent agreements. Those agreements shall be introduced through @TexasTechFB on Twitter as they’re confirmed.
NFL DRAFT RESULTS
125 (4th Round) – Erik Ezukanma, WR (Miami Dolphins)
246 (seventh Round) – Dawson Deaton, OL (Cleveland Browns)
NFL FREE AGENT AGREEMENTS
DaMarcus Fields, DB – New Orleans Saints
Jonathan Garibay, PK – Dallas Cowboys
Kaylon Geiger Sr., WR – Tampa Bay BuccaneersÂ
TEXAS TECH NFL DRAFT NOTES
- Erik Ezukanma turns into the sixth Red Raider to be chosen by the Miami Dolphins and the primary since extensive receiver Jakeem Grant was taken within the sixth spherical of the 2016 draft. The Dolphins have additionally used draft picks beforehand to pick fellow Red Raiders resembling Texas Tech Ring of Honor member Zach Thomas (1996), defensive deal with Artis Jackson (tenth spherical, 1988), security Tate Randle (eighth spherical, 1982) and tight finish Andre Tillman (2nd spherical, 1974).
- Texas Tech at present boasts eight NFL extensive receivers as Ezukanma joins the likes of Danny Amendola (Texans), Cameron Batson (Titans), Dylan Cantrell (Commanders), Keke Coutee (Colts), Jakeem Grant (Browns), T.J. Vasher (Cowboys) and Antoine Wesley (Cardinals), all of which had been on NFL rosters on the conclusion of the 2021 season.
- Texas Tech has now had a Red Raider chosen inside the first 4 rounds of every of the final three drafts after linebacker Jordyn Brooks was chosen late within the first spherical in 2020 after which defensive again Zech McPhearson was additionally picked within the fourth spherical final 12 months.
- Erik Ezukanma is the seventh Red Raider to be picked within the first 4 rounds since 2014 alone, becoming a member of an inventory that features tight finish Jace Amaro (2nd spherical, 2014), Le’Raven Clark (third spherical, 2016), Patrick Mahomes II (1st spherical, 2017), Keke Coutee (4th spherical, 2018), Jordyn Brooks (1st spherical, 2019) and Zech McPhearson (4th spherical, 2021).
- Dawson Deaton turns into the primary Red Raider to be chosen by a franchise based mostly in Cleveland since 2000 when the Browns chosen defensive again Anthony Malbrough within the fifth spherical. Â
- The Cleveland Browns have now chosen seven Red Raiders within the franchise’s historical past as Deaton joins the likes of Malbrough, cornerback King Simmons (twelfth spherical, 1986), linebacker Jeff Copeland (eighth spherical, 1980), kicker Jerry Sanders (twelfth spherical, 1970), fullback Rick Spinks (twenty first spherical, 1955) and Ring of Honor member Elmer Tarbox (third spherical, 1939).
- With Dawson Deaton’s choice, Texas Tech has now had offensive linemen chosen in consecutive drafts for the primary time since 2005-06 when Dylan Gandy (4th spherical, 2005) and Daniel Loper (fifth spherical, 2005) had been picked adopted a 12 months later by E.J. Whitley (seventh spherical, 2006). Jack Anderson was beforehand chosen within the seventh spherical of the 2021 draft by the Buffalo Bills.
- Texas Tech now boasts 4 offensive linemen at present within the NFL as Dawson Deaton joins Anderson (Eagles), 2020 undrafted free agent Terence Steele (Cowboys) and 2016 third spherical choice Le’Raven Clark (Eagles). Steele has made 27 begins the previous two seasons for the Cowboys.
806 ?? 305
Big followers of this Texas Tech WR connection in Miami @erikezukanma ?? @WesWelker
2022 #NFLDraft – April 28-30 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/PxmuABV6hP
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) April 30, 2022
An EZ selection for the @MiamiDolphins. Congratulations, @erikezukanma!#WreckEm | #RaidTheLeague pic.twitter.com/JfsUlS0gLa
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) April 30, 2022
Red Raiders ?? Cleveland Browns#WreckEm | #RaidTheLeague pic.twitter.com/FiFTSR8FsV
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) April 30, 2022
League sure. @FieldsToTheExecs is a New Orleans Saint!#WreckEm | #RaidTheLeague pic.twitter.com/NCHwsxeb7V
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) April 30, 2022
?? Signed and staying in Texas!#WreckEm | #RaidTheLeague pic.twitter.com/UWQb1RJF2T
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) April 30, 2022