March 27, 2003

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech senior punt returner Wes Welker (Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall) was named a third-team preseason All-American by NationalChamps.net when the website issued its annual College Football Preview Thursday and announced its 2003 Preseason Big 12 All-Americans.

Welker (5-9, 190), listed as a punt returner on the third team, returned an NCAA single-season record 57 punts in 2002 and set the single-season school record with 752 return yards. He also returned three punts for touchdowns and has six in his career, two shy of the Big 12 record.

Offensively, Welker was even more impressive last season, catching 86 passes for 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns. Welker joined former Texas Tech standout receiver Lloyd Hill as one of only two players in school history to log more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

In addition to his NCAA punt return record, Welker is one of three returning players nationally who leads the NCAA with a 34-game reception streak.

Texas Tech kicks off the 2003 season Aug. 30 against SMU at Jones SBC Stadium.