The Top 50 Texas Tech Red Raiders Of All-Time: No. 29 – 25
Sept 15, 2012; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders lead the Raider Walk to Jones AT&T Stadium before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the New Mexico Lobos. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
No. 25 — Colby Whitlock (Defensive Tackle 2007 – 2010):
The Noble, OK native was a three-star prospect coming out of high school. He was also a power lifter and wrestler in Oklahoma; skills that translated well to the football field in college.
In 2007, Whitlock was a freshman All-American selection after amassing 45 tackles. In 2008 he was a second-team All-Big 12 selection and was first team All-Conference selection as a senior in 2010.
Whitlock is one of the few players who will forever be defined by a single play in his career. In 2008, No. 1 Texas came to Lubbock to play the No. 7 ranked Red Raiders. After Tech’s initial drive ended in a punt that was downed at the two-yard-line, the sophomore knifed through the Longhorn line hitting the running back in the endzone as soon as the handoff was completed putting Tech up 2-0.
This play set the tone for the remainder of the game as Tech controlled the line throughout the majority of the contest. Two years later, Texas head coach Mack Brown said he was glad to see Whitlock go because they hadn’t been able to block him since he arrived.
One of the most respected Red Raiders of the past 20 years, Whitlock started a school record 49 consecutive games. His senior class played in four consecutive bowl games. Whitlock ended his career with 188 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles. But Whitlock’s value can not be measured by statistics; he was the heart and soul of the Red Raider defense during his career, and Texas Tech has struggled to replace him since he graduated.