May 29, 2003

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech return specialist Wes Welker (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and strong safety Ryan Aycock (Lubbock, Texas) have been ranked among the country's top players at their respective positions by The Sporting News.

Welker, who set an NCAA single-season record with 57 punt returns in 2002, is listed as the ninth-best return man entering the upcoming season. The Tech senior and multi-position performer also is one of three players nationally carrying a nation's best 34-game reception streak into the 2003 season. Welker set the Tech single-season punt return yardage record in 2002 with 752 yards and finished 18th nationally with 146.8 all-purpose yards per game. He also needs only two touchdowns on punt returns to tie the Big 12 record of eight.

Anchoring the defense this season, Aycock has been listed as the 11th-best strong safety in the country. He posted a career-high 148 tackles in 2002 and two and half sacks. He also had a career-best 13 pass breakups.

Additionally, Welker was named earlier in the spring to the NationalChamps.net preseason All-America third team as a punt returner.