🏈 Introduction
On June 18, 2025, Texas Tech University officially announced that Graham Harrell — one of the most prolific passers in the school’s storied football program — will be enshrined in the university’s prestigious Ring of Honor as its 12th inductee . In doing so, Harrell becomes the latest football legend to receive this recognition at Jones AT&T Stadium, following in the footsteps of luminaries like Michael Crabtree, Patrick Mahomes II, and Wes Welker .
This announcement arrives on the heels of another significant milestone: Harrell’s election to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class, with induction set for December 9, 2025, in Las Vegas . In this comprehensive overview, we’ll explore Harrell’s legendary tenure at Texas Tech, his record-setting achievements, the ceremony, and his journey from standout collegiate quarterback to respected coach.
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1. Harrell’s Dominant Texas Tech Career (2005–2008)
Harrell arrived at Texas Tech in 2005 under coach Mike Leach. Over the ensuing four seasons, he emerged as the centerpiece of one of the most explosive passing offenses in modern college football.
a) Statistical Mastery and NCAA Recognition
From 2005 to 2008, Harrell passed for a staggering 15,793 yards and 134 touchdowns . His career totals — including 2,062 attempts, 1,403 completions, and an astounding 69.4% completion rate — still hold numerous Big 12 and Texas Tech records . In 2007 alone, he recorded 5,705 passing yards, ranking second all-time in NCAA FBS single-season records .
Harrell set eight individual NCAA records during his collegiate career, among them:
Most passes completed in a season: 512 (2007)
Third all-time in career passing yards: 15,793 yards
Tied for most 400-yard games in a season (2007) and career (20 total) .
In the storied 2009 Cotton Bowl — his collegiate swan song — Harrell broke the NCAA record for career touchdown passes (132, later passing for 134 before concluding his career early in the game) and threw for 364 yards, setting the Cotton Bowl record .
b) Awards and Accolades
Harrell’s dominance didn’t go unnoticed:
2007: Won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the nation’s top passer; named Academic All-Big 12 .
2008: Awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, AT&T All-America Player of the Year, Sporting News Co–National Player of the Year, and named an AFCA Coaches’ First-Team All-American .
Finished a career-high 45 touchdowns with 5,111 passing yards, earning fourth place in the Heisman Trophy race — even finishing ahead of Michael Crabtree .
c) Signature Moments: The Texas Upset and More
Perhaps the defining moment of his collegiate career was engineering a monumental upset over No. 1 Texas in 2008, leading the Red Raiders to a dramatic 11–2 season and a share of the Big 12 South title . Harrell and Crabtree formed one of college football’s most dynamic quarterback–receiver duos, fueling a potent aerial attack that consistently ranked among the nation’s best.
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2. Post-College Path: Professional Play & Coaching
a) CFL and the NFL
Following his storied college career, Harrell signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL (2009). Soon after, he joined the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, serving as backup from 2010 to 2012 and earning a Super Bowl ring for Super Bowl XLV .
b) Transition into Coaching
Upon retiring as a player, Harrell turned his attention to coaching, amassing experience across multiple programs: North Texas, USC, West Virginia, Purdue, and now, serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Abilene Christian University .
His coaching career reflects a deep commitment to the game and quarterbacks’ development, echoing the strategic passing guru he was as a player — bringing modern Air Raid influences into his coaching style.
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3. The Ring of Honor: A Timeless Honor at Jones AT&T Stadium
a) Texas Tech’s Ring of Honor Tradition
Established in 2012, the Ring of Honor at Texas Tech recognizes former players and coaches whose impact on the football program is undeniable . Inductees’ names are inscribed on the stadium’s West building, serving as a permanent testament for fans and athletes alike.
b) Ceremony Details
Name Unveiling: Scheduled for the halftime of the October 25, 2025, game versus Oklahoma State, where Harrell’s name will be displayed on the West Stadium façade .
Induction Event: Official ceremony on October 24, 2025, with specifics on time, venue, and guest list forthcoming later in the summer .
Harrell captured the announcement live on camera, expressing gratitude after being surprised by AD Kirby Hocutt — “I’ll do whatever I can to be there, because that’s incredible” . His humility makes the honor resonate even deeper.
c) Joining Exclusive Company
Harrell joins other elite No. 12:
1. Donny Anderson (2012)
2. E.J. Holub, Dave Parks (2012)
3. Gabe Rivera (2014)
4. Zach Thomas (2016)
5. Michael Crabtree, Elmer Tarbox (2021)
6. Patrick Mahomes II (2022)
7. Thomas Howard, Andre Tillman, Wes Welker (2024)
8. **Graham Harrell (2025)** .
This group represents the top echelon of Texas Tech football history.
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4. Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Earlier this year, Harrell was named to the 2025 class of the College Football Hall of Fame, with induction scheduled for December 9, 2025, in Las Vegas . He will be Texas Tech’s seventh inductee — cementing his legacy both on campus and nationally.
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5. Legacy & Impact: Beyond Statistics
a) A Scholar-Athlete & Academic Excellence
Harrell earned Academic All-Big 12 honors three times, was named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, and graduated with a degree in history in 2007 .
b) Offensive Firepower & QB Lineage
His gunslinger persona helped define Texas Tech’s identity in the Mike Leach era — a legacy that lives on in today’s high-octane offenses. Harrell’s precision, anticipation, and intellectual understanding helped spawn a new generation of QB-centric strategies at Tech and beyond.
c) Coaching Influence & Future Prospects
In his current role at Abilene Christian, Harrell has already brought fresh offensive energy to his program — developing quarterbacks, implementing dynamic schemes, and continuing to shape the game he helped redefine as a player.
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6. What Lies Ahead
October 24–25, 2025: A Red Raider Weekend to Remember
Fans can expect a weekend full of fanfare — from the induction ceremony on October 24 to the halftime reveal on October 25 — complete with celebration, retrospectives, and a chance to hear from Harrell himself.
December 9, 2025: National Recognition
The College Football Hall of Fame induction in Las Vegas will be yet another grand stage for Harrell, celebrating a career that transcended expectations.
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7. Voices from the Red Raider Community
Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt summarized Harrell’s importance succinctly:
> “He represents the best of the best of Texas Tech Football…”
Fans and former teammates have praised not only his on-field achievements, but his character, intellect, and leadership — traits that make him a fitting candidate for this honor.
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Conclusion
Graham Harrell’s rise from Lubbock prodigy to Texas Tech legend and respected coach is a testament to talent, drive, and integrity. His induction into the Ring of Honor — to be celebrated on October 24–25, 2025 — immortalizes a career marked by record-breaking performances, championship aspirations, and unwavering commitment.
As fans prepare to welcome his name into the heart of Jones AT&T Stadium, they’ll be reminded of his legacy: a quarterback who defined an era, energized a generation of players, and continued to shape the sport from the sidelines.
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A Look Ahead
Mark your calendars:
Oct 24, 2025 – Harrell’s induction ceremony (details TBA)
Oct 25, 2025 – Ring of Honor name unveiling during halftime vs. Oklahoma State
Dec 9, 2025 – National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame induction in Las Vegas
These milestones will celebrate a distinguished career, paying fitting tribute to a Red Raider who helped define modern college football.
