Hall of Fame
Position: Quarterback
Years: 2005-08
Place of Birth: Brownwood, Texas
Date of Birth: May 22, 1985
Jersey Number: 6
Height: 6-2
Weight: 217
High School: Ennis (Ennis, TX)
Graham Harrell's pinpoint accuracy and quick decision-making abilities allowed him to redefine the Texas Tech high-flying passing attack, etching his name in the NCAA record books and cementing his place among college football's all-time great signal callers. The Ennis, Texas, product now becomes the seventh Red Raider player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
A 2008 First Team All-American, Harrell won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was named Sporting News Co-Player of the Year that season. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting and was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, capping off a career in which he set seven NCAA records, including most pass completions in a season (512 in 2007), passes per game in a season (39.4 in 2007) and most 400-yard passing games in a career (21, tied). He remains in the top five of seven FBS statistical categories, including career yards with 15,739 and career touchdown passes with 134.
A master of Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, Harrell paired with Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Crabtree to help redefine the college passing game, leading the Red Raiders to a 37-14 record during his tenure. He guided the team to four bowl games, earning MVP honors at 2006 Insight Bowl and the 2008 Gator Bowl. Texas Tech posted final national rankings in 2005 (No. 18), 2007 (No. 22), and 2008 (No. 12). The team's 11-2 record in 2008 matched the school record for single season wins.
A three-time All-Big 12 selection (Second Team-2007 and Honorable Mention-2006, 2008) Harrell led Texas Tech to a share of the 2008 Big 12 South title, and he still holds the conference's all-time records for career completions (1,403) and touchdown passes (134). He ranks second in Big 12 history in career passing yards (15,793), career attempts (2,011), and career completion percentage (69.8). He remains the only player in conference history to lead the league in passing yards three times. He still owns 14 Texas Tech records, including career passing yards and touchdowns.
A model student-athlete, Harrell was a 2008 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and NFF William V. Campbell Trophy® Finalist. A three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, he graduated with a degree in history in 2007.
Harrell signed with Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in 2009. He later signed with the Green Bay Packers, playing with the team from 2010-12 and earning a Super Bowl XLV ring.
Following his playing career, he entered the coaching profession with stints at North Texas, Southern California, West Virginia, and Purdue.
