Texas Tech football: Zech McPhearson needs to be All-Big 12 caliber in 2020

For the Texas Tech football team’s defense to take a step towards respectability in 2020, senior corner Zech McPhearson needs to elevate his game to an all-conference level.

During the Matt Wells era, the Texas Tech football program has made a habit of turning to transfers from some of the nation’s top programs for immediate help.  In the last year-plus since Wells has taken over the program, players from Michigan State, Utah, LSU, and Alabama have all come to Lubbock to finish their football careers.

But the player with the opportunity to make the biggest impact for the Red Raiders is former Penn State transfer Zech McPhearson.  And in 2020, he could be a surprise all-conference performer.  If he does, perhaps it will help one of the nation’s most beleaguered passing defenses.

Last year, Tech ranked No. 128 out of 130 teams in the nation against the pass.  Allowing over 307 yards per game through the air in 2019, Tech was atrocious when other teams thew the football.

While much of the responsibility has to fall on a pass rush that was paltry at times, most of the blame falls at the feet of the secondary.  And what’s concerning about 2020 is that Tech will have only one starter from last year returning to the spot he manned.  But perhaps that’s a positive given how painful the 2019 secondary was to watch.

That lone returner is McPhearson, who had a bit of an under the radar season in his first year as a Red Raider.  He was one of just four defensive players to start all 12 games last year and he was tied for the team lead in pass breakups with five (equaling the total of DaMarcus Fields).

Also, his 51 tackles were sixth-most on the team and the second-most of any Texas Tech defensive back.  So why did most Tech fans fail to realize how solid he was?

More from Wreck'Em Red

• Texas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these Mountaineers
• Texas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025
• Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?
• Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 title
• Texas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives

The main reason is that he didn’t generate any turnovers.  In fact, he’s still searching for his first career interception.

He came close in the second game of the year.  With Tech leading UTEP 38-3 early in the 4th quarter, McPhearson picked off a pass and returned it for a TD.  However, an offsides penalty by true freshman DB Dadrion Taylor nullified the play.

But turnovers aside, Tech needs McPhearson to be as close to a shutdown corner as one can be in the Big 12.  That’s because there are going to be some stellar WRs that McPhearson will have to lock horns with.  Baylor’s Tyquan Thorton, Iowa State’s Tarique Milton, Texas’ Brennan Eagles, Oklahoma’s Charleston Rambo, and Oklahoma State’s Tylan Wallace could all eventually play in the NFL and it will likely fall to McPhearson to slow them down.

If he can at least keep them in check, Tech could make huge strides in the secondary.  That’s because Adrian Frye is back at corner after a failed attempt at playing safety.  That’s where the 2018 All-Big 12 selection needs to be given that he picked off five passes two years ago.

Picking off passes was actually something Tech did well last year.  With 17, the Red Raiders were third in the Big 12 and 14th nationally.  On the other hand, eight of those picks came from safety Douglas Coleman, who exhausted his eligibility last fall.

Thus, someone has to step up in that area and McPhearson could be that guy.  If he takes another step forward as a player and elevates his game to an All-Big 12 level, the Texas Tech secondary could be one of the surprises of the year.