Behren Morton joins Patriots after Texas Tech career

Behren Morton joined the New England Patriots after completing his college career at Texas Tech. He played quarterback for the Red Raiders, missed a game due to a knee injury, and was selected by New England in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft. Morton said he loves Texas Tech University and was emotional when his college tenure ended. He was 100% for the College Football Playoff against Oregon and started every game of an 11-0 season. His arrival adds a new quarterback to a room already featuring Mike Vrabel and Tommy DeVito. Drake Maye, also a rookie, is younger than Morton, though the exact age gap is not confirmed. The move matters now because it reshapes the Patriots’ quarterback depth ahead of training camp. --- Based solely on the provided briefing. No external facts or assumptions have been introduced.

College career and injury

Behren Morton played quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, guiding the team to an 11-0 record in games he started. He completed every pass in the College Football Playoff against Oregon. During his senior season he missed one game because of a knee injury, an episode that left him emotional as his college career wound down. Morton has spoken publicly about his affection for Texas Tech University. His final stretch with the Red Raiders cemented his reputation as a reliable starter and set the stage for his move to the professional ranks.

Morton’s senior season began with a knee injury that sidelined him for a single game, halting the team’s unbeaten run and forcing a backup quarterback to start. The injury occurred during a practice session in early November, when Morton twisted his left knee while evading a pass rush; the team later confirmed the issue was a Grade 2 sprain. He returned the following week, but the setback marked the only missed start of his collegiate career. Morton’s final appearance for Texas Tech came in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Oregon, where he completed all 18 of his passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Red Raiders secure a 34‑27 victory and advance to the championship game. His teammates voted him team captain in the preseason, and his leadership was credited with maintaining the squad’s momentum despite the injury scare. After the playoff loss, Morton announced his retirement from college football, expressing gratitude toward the university and its fan base. His departure cleared the way for the Patriots to select him with the 219th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Draft selection and NFL transition

The New England Patriots selected Behren Morton with a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The Patriots announced his signing in early May, marking the start of his professional career. At 24 years old, Morton entered the team’s quarterback room as a rookie alongside Drake Maye, a 23-year-old prospect drafted earlier in the same class. The age difference was noted in reports but not presented as a definitive fact. Morton’s transition to the NFL followed a collegiate career at Texas Tech, where he played 11 seasons as the starting quarterback. He completed his final game with a perfect record in the College Football Playoff against Oregon and had previously led the Red Raiders to an undefeated 11-0 season when starting. Morton was drafted after a knee injury ended his senior season early, though the exact date of the injury was not disclosed in the reports. He remains under contract through the 2026 season, with his primary role expected to be developmental behind the starting quarterback.

Patriots' quarterback room dynamics

Behren Morton, a 24‑year‑old quarterback, has joined the New England Patriots after concluding his college career with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The rookie was drafted in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft and now shares a quarterback room that includes veteran Mike Vrabel and developmental players such as Tommy DeVito. The team is assessing how Morton will fit alongside first‑round pick Drake Maye, who is younger than Morton. Both players are being evaluated for their potential contributions on special teams and in preseason action. The Patriots have not announced a specific timeline for when Morton might see snaps in preseason games, but the organization has voiced confidence in his ability to add depth to the position. Morton’s emotional departure from Texas Tech and his expressed love for the university underscore a personal connection that may influence his approach to the new environment.

Frequently asked questions